The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-02-13
The T,CO Smiths.


On a very pleasant June morning
young man of twenty-five or there
abouts, fashionsbly attired, was STROLL
ing up pleasant lane in one of the
rural counties. He had come down
by the London coach, and while wait
ing for a conveyance to take him
across the country to the place of his
destination, thought to amuse him.
self by a brief ramble.
"Heigho ~ he muttered to himself,
"it remains to be seen what will be
the upshot of this visit to my rich old
bachelor uncle, my only surviving
relative. Is 1t at all likely the whim-
sical old humoTist, whom have not
seen since childhood, will suit me or
that I shall suit him? How can lex
peet that he will fancy a good-for-
nothing fellow who never did any bu-
siness in his whole life?
"Will he pay my debts and make
me his heir? My whole London life
has been a failure, and the only agree
able episode was my trip to Bath:
"PoOr SOphy Wruggles l believe
she loved me sincerely. But l acted
honorably. When found my heart
was engaged, 1 tore myself away
without any explanation. For what
had I to offer her-I, bankrupt In
hope and pursem
As he unused thus mournfully he
came in sight of handsome villa.
AS he paused to survey it, a smart
servant in spruce livery advanced
along the road, and after glancing at
him sharply, touched his hat and said
respectfully
"Mr. Smith ,"
''That's my name.n
GThank We, thanks, sir" said the
fellow, grinning from ear to ear; and
turning on his heels, he ran of and
disappeared.
AS Mr.. Smith advanced he saw a
white flag flying on the lawn, and
heard the sound of distant music.
AS he approached nearer, a gate in
the hedge-row opened, and a portly
gentleman in black, with spotless
white waistcOat, suddenly appeared
with both hands extended.
"My dear boy" said he, WELCOME!
You're before your time, but so much
the better. 1t speaks well for your
gsllantry. But where's your uncle?"
al haven't seen him yeti sir, and
hear he's unwell."
"Well, WE'LL" said the old gentle
man, 81 hardly expected him. You
don't look quite we'll, yourself-a lit
tie pale, nervous. No matter, it will
soon be over, hey? Well, you don't
look bit like the old man 1 expect
ed to find you stOuter and shorter
thought Sophy must have been mis-
taken in your appearance.
"Sophy ~ exclaimed Smith, more
and more bewildered.
"Ay, ay, my boy! She told me al
how she met you at Bath and loved
you, and how you suddenly disap,
peared. You had no idea of entering
into an arrangement for life without
seeing your intended, and, faith,
don't blame you for It. When I wa
of your age, / wouldn't have married
/ u girl to please a thousand uncles til
/ 1 satisfied myself. But you never lei
your uncle know about that trip II
Bath. Sly dogI But come along"
So saying, the offlcious old gentle
| man seized the arm Of the bewildereC
| Smith and ushered him into the draw
/ ing room, where a fat woman rushed
into his arms and saluted him or
both cheeks, and then burst into {
passionate fit of tears.
"Oh, dear!r said she, ''this is tht
happiest and saddest day of my life
Pm sure you're q very nice younl
man, and will Otake the best care o
1 nv daughter; and your uncle's {
dear, good, good creature. But SOphy
I is nv all-eXcuse a mothers feelings
Mr.. Smith,
"Mrs. WruggIes, Mrs. Wruggles
compose yourself" !" said the old gen
tleman.
"Sophy Wruggles is really the girl
then, after all, /" thought Smith. "My
uncle is certainly an odder man thar
even the world has ever given hin
credit for, to manage such q surpris
for me, and to leave me to tumble in
to happiness without the least susni
cion Of the felicity before me-"
But his meditations were cut shor
by the entrance Of fair Sophy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wruggles led her fol
ward, and then directly left the room
Smith caught her in his arms, he
head reclined on his shoulder.
"AIy dear angel % cried Smith
Htell me if I owe this happiness
your own free will, and not to you
flial obedience ~
"Can you ask me, William en rC
piled the bride, blushing and lookin
up into his face.
"What q strange courtship ours hs
been ~ said Smith, ''carried on in th
language Of the eyes alone.n
"Your's were so expressive" sal
Sophy, "Do you remember Bath?"
HCan 1 ever forget the pumproom?
cried the lover.
Decidedly, we were formed fC
each other"
"Sophy % cried the voice of th
maternal parent.
looming, mother! Excuse m,
dearest?n cried Sophy; and tearin
herself from her lovers. arms, sh
sped out of the room.
HOf course this is 9 dream" sal
Smith; "but it's very pleasant viii
it lasts"
"For you, sir" said the livery SER
ant Smith had met in the lane, ente
ing and presenting q package and
letter on 8 silver salver. Smith dii
missed the man, opened the lette
and read
"Mr. William Smythe Your unc
has begged me to write because /
has the gout in hand and can't hold
5 pen. he begs me to say that he wisl
es you all sorts Of happiness; but
cannot think Of being present at Il