American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-06-22
a:,.: ,...9 CANTON, MISS, SATURDAY, JUNE D. 1872


for Polly to get tea. After that Mr. Kopps
proposed to call on another young lady,
but Mr.. Bulbo had discovered that Polly
sang; and as music was his great delight,
and he made some attempts, though nc
pretensions, in that quarter, he insisted
on song. One followed another; their
voices harmoniZed finely; and another
evening was gone.
This was but an example of many days.
Polly had read some new books that had
particularly pleased Mr. Bulbo, and she
was so lively and piquant it was delight.
full to talk to her. She was remarkably
well-educated, which surprised Mr.. Bull
DO, as Milford was but a country place.
''Ah, now you'd like to ask questions, "
she cried, as he let drop something of that
kind. Il was not brought up here, and
that's all I'll say. Ladies only are privi
legged to ask questions.
There is one that gentlemen may ask, "
softly said Mr.. Bulbo, leaning toward her;
but she sprang from her seat and ran up
| stairs.
! ''Bulbo, you're fool!' was the gentle
mans mental comment. Il am afraid
you're in love-you are. by Jove!" he
Polly had dropped, and pressing it to his
lips, placed it in his inner pocket.
1t was to be feared that was the truth
| Mr.. Bulbo had been five weeks at Mr.
Kopps's, and had entirely forgotten the
cause of his coming. He had made but
one call in search of the wife who was to
vindicate his character in the virtuous city
of Brookley, but had fingered all this
time by the side of a bright-eyed, plump,
little damsel who had become necessity
| to him, and without whom he felt his
bachelor room would be dreary indeed.
Why wouldn't she do as well, better than
any one else, for his purposes She was
darling, would make him happy, refute
the scandal, destroy the tenant of that
great and unspeakable, fell on Mr. Bulbo,
as he contemplated the idea that she might
reject him. In all his plans he had never
once thought of that. Not that he was
over-bold; he had no opinion of his abil-
tiles; but the extremity had been such
| that he never allowed a refusal to enter
| into his calculations. In the de-
spair that came over him he went and
wandered by the brook until long past the
tea hour.
1t was with fearful hearth-throb and
a perceptible jump that he saw Polly APP
preaching
'Mr. George, won't you come to teae"
81 won't come, Miss Polly, my hearts
Polly".it sounded horribly, but Mr..
Bulbo did not mean it should" unless
you let me 60 with you," he replied, seiz-
''That's just what l mean to do" re-
piled Polly, breathlessly, trying to with
draw her hand. 81 have not had mine
yet"
"No, no, that's not what 1 mean 1
won't go unless you go with me-unless
we go together-that is, Polly, dearest
Polly, love you, and must have And
she was folded closely in his arms.
1t was bunglingly done, and Mr. Bulbo
must have had some encouragement, or
else he had forgotten his fears; but Polly
understood him and-tea waited longer
still.
To Mr.. Bulbo's delight Polly was will
ing to appoint an early day and the nuts
were just falling, the pumpkins had drunk
their fill of yellow sunlight, and the north
ern frost winds were making a fire pleas
ant, when they stood in the vestry-room
of the little church, waiting for the clergy
man.
"Dearest, there is one thing want to
say my name"-
"Oh, don't tease me about that
never can call you anything but Mr..
George but l ought to have told you ~
Come, Polly ~ cried her uncle, in
with something important to tell the
other.
Polly smiled little, with timid flut-
ter, when Mr.. Bulbo uttered, in clear
voice, 81, George Washington" And
he gave start of not entire pleasure
when she said, softly, 81, Mary"
II like Polly best, he whispered, as he
threw back her veil and claimed her as
his wife.
AS MIR. Kopps handed Polly into the
carriage, he laughingly said
ought TO say Mrs. Bulbo now, sup
pose.''
Mrs. Bulbo ~ cried Polly, aghast.
Yes, darling, that is what wanted to
tell you in the vestry, and now that we
are SO happy | can endure to speak of the
natter" and Mr. Bulbo told her the whole
story. To his surprise, Polly laughed I'M
til she cried, bushed as if she was on fire,
refused to explain, but ran in and seemed
to avoid him. 1t was not until the hustle
of return was over that Polly stood alone
with him in the porch. Then, between
bursts of laughter and showers of tears,
which were cleared away IN the most nat
ural manner possible, she told him.
She was Mary Francis; had feared some
one would seek her for her money, and
had changed her name, and secluded her
self here. She had always avoided him,
for his name had prejudiced her to think
he was very disagreeable. She had meant
to tell him of her wealth just before they
were married, that it might have no IN
fiuence on him, and now he had done Just
W Ildl uC tiuIlt WANT 10 no.
mo, no." he swore. Just what he
wanted. He had been so happy that he
never thought to tell her his name, and
now what difference did it make They
loved each other"
But alas for Mr.. Bulbo! He returned
to Brookley with his loved and loving
wife, and his little world was in flames in
a moment.
Il told you so! Wasn't he sly rogue
to go and marry her so secretly?"
Fate was against him, facts were against
him. What could he say, how refute?
'Ah, Bulbo, we saw it all. Bless you,
you couldn't surprise US; we knew it was
inevitable"
He took other rooms; would have es-
ch"wed closets; but Polly said they were |
necessary. Still the phantom pursued |
him He lived a long, happy life, but to
his old age could not bear a door behind |
him; and as friends never forget, l think |
we may safely say Mr. Bulbo never got |
rid of the skeleton in his closet
Notes About Rats.
n GENTLEMAN, who has passed many |
years of his life at ST. Helena, told me lately |