The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-10-17
IN THE WRONG HOUSE.

NI o good-looklng bachelor who had
lived forty-fve years, but one who had
taken such good care of himself that he
was really quite young man. .l.
He had gone out to India when only
fifteen years old and was now returning
after thirty years absence, the possessor
of an ample fortune, most of which he
had already sent to America for invest
ment
The major did not like boarding houses
and had therefore written to his agent in
New York to purchase and have fitted up
for him comfortable residence in some
good neighborhood.
On cold rainy November evening
the "Ghundaree" entered the harbor
bringing the Major once more to his ma
tive land. He eagerly hastened to the
Office of his agent for information regard
ing the location of his new home, deter
mined to pass the first night of his arri-
val under his own roof.
On reaching the office of Mr.. Smith,
his agent, he learned that he was absent
but the key had been left for him accom-
panied by a note regretting that business
in the country compelled the writer to re-
linquish the pleasure of personally greet
ing the Major on his arrival but assuring
him that he would find his house in COM
plete order, with servants to minister to
his wants. f,'..
Though sorry the agent had not been
able to meet him personally, the Major
made the best of it, and turned to the
card attached to the key for instruction,
as to the location of his residence and
saw written thereon: "No-Wakely
street, but phdt number, unfortunately
the card did not say However," NUT
tered the Major, "I can't go Uery far
wrong, as it says, between Hudson and
Vandam streets. At the worst, it is only
trying the doors along with my key until
l come to the right one"
And the Major strolled briskly off
through the rain, humming to himself,
Home, sweet home"
After much inquiry of policemen and
consulting of directories at corner drug
stores, and studying of cabalistc char
acters on the street lamps, our Major sue
ceeded in discovering Wakely street-a
broad, handsome street, lined on each
side with substantial looking brownstone
houses
"A very good neighborhood,' thought
the Major, approvingly; Every good in
deed. | don't object to this sort of thing
at all. Smith is certainly capital judge
of real estate. Now | wonder which of
these houses belongs to me?
They were all painfully alike-all with
handsome bay-windows on the first floor,
imposing flights of stone steps, and YES
tibues of blue and white checked marble.
The Major crept softly up the steps Of
one, and applied his key under the silver
plated knob.
1t wouldn't fit, This certainly could
not be the house moreover, he felt un-
pleasantly like burglar, as he sneaked
down the steps agan. A.'.'-
He tried the second door, and then the
third. Both obstinately declined to yield
to the gentle persuasion of the key.
"This is beginning to get awkward"
thought the perturbed Major, wiping the
beady drops from his brow Suppose |
should be Obliged to spend the night out
here, trying to get in! Besides if I'm
not careful, | shall be arrested the next
| know, and my first night for thirty
years in my native land will be spent in
the station house. I'll try one more door,
and if that doesn't prove to be the right
one, I'll 20 to a hotel"
lie slipped the key into the keyhole
it reyelved noiselessly, and the door
swung softly open on its polished hinges.
"The right one at last, as l live !'
chuckcled the Mujor. Furnished like
the Governor Generals, and all lighted
up by Jove That good-hearted rascal
Smith, means to give me surprise.
see through it all, now; but | don't in
tend to be surprised at anything after
this"
He looked around. The gaslights were
burning brightly in hall, reception-room
and parlors; the soft, summer-like atmos
phere Of furnace dispeled all lingering
idea of cold or wet; and there were
groups of merry guests moving to and frC
to the inspiring notes Of grand piano
Smith never told me a word about tn,
place." thought Major Parkinson; Z" bu
it's good idea--a capital idea. Called
unexpectedly in the county, Ell? Ah
he's a sly dog, is Smith" ts
He placed his dripping umbrella in th
stand, and deliberately hung up lis ha
aud overcoat on the elegant black walpu