The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-12-20

time, the strangers visit appeared to have
produced results the reverse of beneficial
but at the end of a month, an elderly gen.
tleman dressed in black, entered the shop,
and requested a private interview with Mr..
Wag and as the back parlor was full of
little Wags, then undergoing the ceremo-
nies of ablution, combing, ETC., he proposed
that they shonld adjourn to the Kings
Arms
When they were seated there, the stran-
ger very deliberately preceded to arrange
variety of papers upon the table in bu-
siness-like manner and when his task was
completed, apparently to his satisfaction,
he smiled, rubbed his hands, and thus ad-
dressed the wondering shopkeeper:
My name is Stephen Goodfellow. lam
an attorney, living in London and there
(handing a card) is my address. You will
probably guess who my client is, but my
instructions are to conceal his name Well
he has consulted me as to the best mode of
carrying your intention of increasing your
business into effect and l have, conse-
quently, had interviews with certain COM
mercial gentlemen, and, ahem the result
is, that as the thing must be done gradual
ly have to present you, in the first place,
with this order for a thousand pounds
You will then be so good as to sign this
document by reading which you will per-
ceive that you cannot be called upon for
repayment before the expiration of three
years. Ahem don't interrupt me. That
will do to begin with but, after a little
while, as you must give credit, and some of
your commodities, particularly grocery,
amount to considerable sums, you may
want moIe, so-ahem yes, this is the pa
per. You are to put your usual signature
here and, mark me, in precisely six months
from this day, an account will be opened in
your name with the London bankers, whose
check-book now present you with. They
will have assets in their, hands, and instruc-
tions to honor your drafts for any sum OF
sums not exceeding four thousand pounds.
You understand"
! 81 hear what you say, sir" stammered
jeremiah, "but, really, I'm so astonished
| that
"Well, well" observed Mr.. Goodfellow,
smiling, cit certainly is not an every day
transaction, but my respected client is a lit
tie eccentric, and SO we must allow him to
do things in his own way. He has taken
fancy to you, that's clear, and when he
takes anything in hand he doesn't mind
trifles."
"But so much p exclaimed Mr. Wag.-
Gone thousand-four thousand-five thou
sand pounds 1t is like dream Surely,
sir" and he hesitated surely the gentle
man can't be in-ahem lin his right SEN
ses?''
''Sound as bell, " replied the lawyer
81 hope you may have as clear head to
carry on your Few business. At present
you are little bewildered, that's plain
enough, but no great marvel However.
my time is precious, so just let me have
your signature, and Pm off,
He then placed the papers before Jeremi-
ah, who, after little more demur, and u
great deal of trepidation, wrote his name
twice, and received the money order and
the bankers check-book. Mr.. Goodfellow
then ordered a chaise, and chatted familiar
ly till it was ready, when he shook Mr.
Wag. by the hand, wished him good luck,
and departed.
81 told you so y exclaimed Mrs. Wag,
when her spouse related the mornings adj
venture. Sc He seemed so fond Of the chill
dren. | knew how it would be. But YOU
should have asked his name. / wonder
who he can be 1! Some great lord, no doubt
Well, bless him, whoever he is. o Jerry |!
my dear Jerry Wag feel as if l was 60
ing to cry. How foolish Well, / can't
help it, and that's the truth" And the
good housewife wiped her eyes, and then
threw her arms round the neck Of her dear
ly beloved Wag, who, albeit that he was
unused to the melting mood, found his eyes
suddenly grow dim, and so they performed
q weeping duet together.
Much marveling, of course, there was il
the town and neighborhood at the stead,
increase in Mr.. Wag's concern in spit,