Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-09-19

Hattie Elton or POlly Ann, inc nrst uay |
the new sign was raised.
1t was as the Junior member of the firm
that Blumble had travelled through tho
New England States, two years ago last
fall, with samples, receiving orders. Dur
ing his tour he remained in the pretty viii
lage of p, n. H., one fine night in October
lie sat in the bar-room after supper, smok-
ing his cigar, until it became filled with
villagers, discussing politics, smoking their
pipes, talking of their crops, and ogling
him, all of which was quite upinteresting
to him, so he concluded TO walk out and
view the village by moonlight. He had
hardly stepped into the entry, and before
he could close the door, ere he heard voice
inquire:
"Who is that gentleman2"
ellis name is Blumble he's from BOs
ton," replied the landlord.
"Blumble from Boston," chimed in
third voice, and then added, "You don't
say so p followed by y long, low whistle of
astonishment.
Blumbe stepped off the piazza and walk
ed up the village street. lie had scarce
walked twenty yards before he was aware
of being followed. Giving the matter but
| little thought, however, he turned from the
road into pleasant lane that wended its
way toward some half dozen farm houses
until he came to rustic seat, upon which
he threw himself and was soon oblivious
to all the world excepting the business af-
| fairs of "Hood, Silver & Blumble." He
sat until his cigar was consumed, when he
| u-o fn ho xupr16 orOnnd him hxy
| the village clock striking out ten. Button
ing his coat closely around him, he hurried
down the lane toward tho hotel. AS he
turned from the lane into the great road he
was suddenly and not very softly seized by
the throat, by the shoulders, and by the
coat-tails by at least a dozen hands. He
was rather too much surprised to speak,
| even if he had a chance to the hands so
closely clenched around his throat would
have prevented his speaking if he had not
been so greatly surprised. AS he could not
speak, he listened very patiently to some
half-dczen exclamations of "Now we've
got you I"
Something desperate must be done; so
Bumble struck the fellow that held him
by the throat full in the face, knocking him
down, and then cried ont as though he ex-
pected that this would be the last chance he
would ever have to speak.
"What in the deuce are you about?'
The striking question had a miraculous
effect upon the numerous hands distribu-
ted about his person, and Blumble was free
He waited a few moments to regain his
breath; then looking around him asked
very energetically:
"What does all this mean?'
at means that if you don't promise to
leave town and not go to see Mary Gay
again, we'll just hide you, and then ride
you out of town on a rail" said tho young
man the recipient Of tho blow, who had
reganed his feet.
Leave town? Mary Gay? Why, do
not understand what you mean," remarked
Blumble, considerably mystified.
"Well, sir" interrupted another voice,
1--WE mean that you've come from Boston
to court Mary Gay, and you mean to cut
out Billy Higdy here now if you don't
give up Mary and leave town tomorrow
night, we'll pitch you into the mil-pond."
"Hold on a moment" said Blumble 81
think you have got hold of the wrong per-
son, as l have not the acquaintance of Miss
Gay, nor, in fact, of any other lady in this
place. But 1 want you TO understand one
thing distinctly, and that is, shall not
leave town until 1 get ready"
Something about Blumble's manner
seemed to convince the young men that he
was in earnest, for they uttered various ex-
pressions, such as, "That's likely storyv y
"Hes casing ~ ~ don't believe that" etc.
Men invariably express doubts when be-
ing convinced of something they had rather
not believe.
For few minutes the whole party re-
mained in silence then one of the young
denizens of p. broke the spell by asking:
"Ain't your name Blumble?"
YES sir''
"And you are from Boston?"
"Yes, sir.'
"And don't you know Mary Gay?"
"No, SIR"
"Well, that's strange! She said that his
name was Blumble, and that's your name (;
he belongs to Boston, and so do you and
we believe you've been there to see her.
DON'T we Bill ?"
ayes, we do" replied Higdy.
"Well, young man." said Blumble, "if
you don't believe me, go and ask the young
lady herself"
This proposition was met with approval
by the whole party, so Blumbe started
back up the lane, accompanied by large
escort before, behind, and on each side oi
him. They filed into the yard and crowd
ed on TO the steps of a neat looking farm
house, and Higdy knocked at the door. II
few moments one of the chamber win
dows opened and protrudng head ask
ed:
"Who's thereof
"Come down TO the door minute, Squire
will your" asked Bill.
"Why, what do you want?" inquired the
voice in the chamber window above.
"We want to see Mary minute" repli-
ed voice from the crowd below.
"Why, she has been abed these two hours
Is it anything important?"
"Yes; we want to see her just minute
swell, I'll speak to her."
In few minutes Mary appeared at the
door. She was very good looking notwith
standing her being called out of bed at sucl
! an unreasonable hour-and so thought
Blumble. For some moments the whole
company remained speechless. At las
! Blumble, firing of his conscious situation
l and the "nothing-to-say" spirit of the par
a ty, broke the silence by asking the youn
! lady If she had ever seen him before.
r mot that ] remember" she replied.
$ 81 only asked you to satisfy these younl
men," said Blumble.
0 Then he amt your city beau?" aske