The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-05-14
A PLEASANT SURPRISE
ssTT'S no joking matter, Mr.. Allaire,l
said Jemima Pendexter


IL said Jemima Pendexter.
"Of course it isn't, Jemima,' said Mr..
Allaire, rather more soberly than he had
spoken before. "But if you come to that
isn't it a deal jollier, and just as cheap, to
laugh as to crye'' .r
Miss Jemima Pendexter was tall, bloom
ing brunnete, with dark brown eyes, hair
satin black, and good healthy bloom on
either cheek, and her green gingham dress
fitted her as perfectly as if a Broadway
m0diste had cut and made it. Ferdinand
Allaire was a handsome young fellow of
some five or six and twenty, whose dark
sparkling eyes sent out roguish CLEANS from
beneath pair of arched brows, and whose
teeth were as white as fresh cut slice of
cocoa-nut.
"But mother wants the money" perss-
ted Miss Pendexter
"Not half so badly as do, Jemima' -
"It's too bad," pouted Jemima.
$50 it is. But really Jemima, don't you
suppose would pay her in minute, if
had the money. If. For Pm not a ma
gician whose word can turn basket of
scrap paper to bank note, or make coined
gold out of the cinders under the CRATE"
"Thats nonsense ~ said Miss Pendexter
"Of course it is. Sense is at discount
just at present Look ut the pile of manu-
script, if you don't believe me, that no edi-
tor will buy; sec those elegant oil paintings
that De Beaudin declines respectfully to
hang up for sale What's fellow to do ."
AT least" said Jemima, tossing her
pretty head, "you ought to pay your hon.
est debt ~
81 know that, my DEAR" said Mr.. AL
laire, gravely. "And I've written at least
seven earnestly entreating letters to my
hard hearted old uncle, and of the seven
answers that ought to have come back, the
first one hasn't made it's appearance. Je-
NINA I've an idea."
"Pshaw ~ said Miss Pendexter, trying
in vain to maintain the severe gravity of
aspect that was rapidly thawing beneath
the merry sparkle of the sloe-black eyes.
"But have really. Suppose you take
me in part payment of my bill to Mrs. Pen
dexter. believe | have the elements of a
first-rate husband about me-"
Miss Jemima turned resolutely away.
"Mr. Allaire, believe you'd joke if you
were upon your dying bed p
And she went down stairs.
4
NINA Pendexter," said Mr.. Allaire, medi-
tatively. "She's pretty, and she spirited
and as for her mother keeping boarding
house, that's no particular objection in my
eyes. Ilalloo what's that commotion out
side?"
He threw up the window-sash and stretch
ed himself halfway out. Mrs. Pendexter,
stout, thrifty matron, in frilled cap and
lilac ribbons, was bargaining with ragged
itinerant of the gipsey order to have load
of wood which had just been deposited at
her door, sawed and split and slowed into
the cellar.
Couldn't do it for less than four dollars,
men," said the Bohemian of the streets
1t isn't worth three ~ cried Mrs Pen.
dexter.
Worst kind of knotty wood, men,
81 won't give a cent more than three, .
persisted Mrs. Pendexter.
Very, well, it'll be somebody besides
me" said the man, shouldering his axe
and passing indifferently on.
IIa ounnnaal @bot NJ, II
call him back and accede to his terms, but
he was mistaken in the buxom widows
mental calibre. She was turning indoors
again, when, to her surprise, she found her.
self confronting Mr.. Ferdinand Allaire in
his shirt sleeves.
Sim your man, ma'am said he rubbing
his white palms briskly together.
"My good GraciousP' calculated the
widow, "what do you mean, Mrs. Allaire p
81 mean that little job of wood saving, >
said our hero. "Bring on your axe and
saw. III do it for three dollars, and turr
it in toward our small account. Now, then
ma'am wide awake if you please p
"But-I beg your pardon, Mr.. Allaire
if you please-you're gentleman p'
fVery well, what of that ? Is there any
thing to prevent gentleman splitting up 0
cord of wood? A great deal more strength
ening to the muscles of the arm than dumb
bells and Indian clubs, am sure"
Are you really in earnest ?'
eyes, am"
And then Mrs. Pendexter, seeing no reas
ON why she should not realize portion Al
least of the back board for the third-stor,