South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-08-08

ter out Httle 'uouHut, however, he turned
from the road into pleasant lane that
wendell it's way toward some half dozen
farm houses until he came to a rustic scat.
upon which bio threw himself, & was soon
oblivous of all the world excepting the bust
ness affairs of Hood, Silver & Blumble.
He sat until his cigar was consumed, when
he was aroused to tho world around him
by the village clock striking out ten.
Buttoning his coat closely around him, he
hurried down the lane toward the hotel.
AS he turned from the lane into the great
road he was suddenly aud not very softly
seized by the throat, by the shoulders, and
by the coat-tails, by at least dozen hands.
He was rather too much surprised to speak,
even If he had a chance to (; the hands SO
closely clenchod around his throat would
have prevented his speaking if he had not
been so greatly surprised. AS he could
not speak, no listened very patiently to
some half dozen ordinations of Now We We
got you
Something desperate must be done; so
Blumble struck the fellow that held him
by the throat full in the face, knocking him
down, aud then cried out as though be ex-
pected that this would be the last chance
!
what the deuce are you about 2
! The striking question had q miraculous
effec, upon the numerous hands distri5u.
ted about his person, aud BIumble was
free. He waited few moments to regain
his breath; then looking around him, ask
ed very energetically
What does all this mean?'
1t means that if you don't promise to
leave town, and not go 10 see Mar, Gay a
gain, well just hide you, aud then ride you
out of town on rail- said the young man.
the recipient of the blow, who had regain
ed his feet.
leave town? Mary Gay? Why do
not understand what you mean remarked
Blumble, considerably mystiGed.
well, sir interrupted another voice,
we mean that you'v come here from Bos-
ton to court Mary Gay, and you mean to
cut out Billy Higdy here; now if you don't
give up Mary and leave town to night, we'll
pitch you into the mill-pond.'
Hold on moment said Blumble Il
think you have got hold CT the wrong per-
son, as have not the acquaintance of Miss
Gay, nor 10 fact of any other lady in this
place. But want you to understand ono
thing distinctly, and that is, shall Dot
leave town until I get ready
Something about BUNDLES manner
seemed to convince the young men that he
was in earnest, for they uttered various
expressions, such as: That's likely sto-
ry! Hes casing Il don't believe
that etc. Men Invariably express doubts
when being convinced of something they
bad rather not believe.
For few moments the whole party re-
manned in silence; then one of the youU g
denizens Of p. broke the spell by asking E:
Amt Jour name BlumbleT
'Yos, sir
and you are from Boston 2
yes, sir
Aud don't know Mary Gay p
No sir
We'll, that's strange She said his name
was Blumtle, and that's your name be
belongs to Boston, and so do you; and
you We been right up by her house, and
We believe you We been there to see her.
Don't we Bill?
Yes We do replied Higdy.
well, young men, said Blumble, IF you
don't believe me, 60 ask the young lady
herself!
This proposition was met with approval,
by the whole party, so Blumble started
back up the lane, accompanied by a large
escort before, behind, and on each side of
him. they filed into the yard, and crowd
cd on to tho steps of neat looking farm
house, and Highly knocked at the door. 10
few moments one Of the chamber windows
was opened, and protruding head asked ::
who's there p
Come down tn the door a minute, Squire,
will you 2 asked Bill.
why, what do you want {? inquired The
voice in tho chamber window above
We want to see Mary = minute replied
voice IN the crowd below.
why, she hos been sbed these two hours.
Is i anything important 2
Yes We want to see her just a minute
well, I'll speak to her,
Ia few minutes Msry appeared al The
door. She was very good looking, not
withdrawing her being called out Of bed
at such an unreasonable hour-and 40
thought Blumble. For some moments the
whole company remained speechess. At
last Blumble, firing Of bis conspicuous sit
usiioo, and the nothing to-say' spri, ot
the party, broke The silence by asking the
young lady il she bad ever seen him be.
fore.
Not that I remember Of, she replied
Il only asked you to satisfy these young
men, said Blumble.
Then be sin't your city beau 2 asked
Higdy.
IN . AZ short ne though il had been but