The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-06-24

| 'Cau you dlfcCG HlC W taO 1SStoOAS
of Mr.. John Smith 2" f.
"Mr. Smith ?" he said slowly.
eyes, sir, Mr.. John Smith. II
married my fathers great uncle
eldest daughter, Melinda"
II don't think I know John Smitl
with wife Melinda"
John Smith seemed to be common
| noun with him, from the peculiar tom
he used in speaking of that individ
ual.
"Ahw I remarked, "then there i
more than one Of that name in th'
city"
II rather think there is." ;,
"Very well, then, direct me to tn
| nearest"
"The nearest is in West street, sec
ond left hand corner-you will see th'
name on the door,"
1 passed on, congratulating mysel
on the cordial welcome l should re
ceivc from John and Melinda.
I soon reached the place-a hard
some house with the name on o silver
doorplate 1 rang the bella servant
appeared"
"Mr. Smith in2"
"No, sir; Mr.. Smith is in the
army"
"Mrs. Smiths she?"
"In the army2 oh, no-she is a
the beach"
"This is Mr.. John Smiths house, il
lit ?"
"It is"
"Was his wife's nauo Melinda, ant
was she Ryrno before she married
from Squashville7"
The man redeemed and responded
angrily, "I'll not stand here to be in
sultedl Make off with yourself, OF
III call the police. [ thought ut frs
that you was an entry thief, but yol
don't play that game on mel" and h'
banged the door in my face.
l a thief! If I had not been in sucl
hurry to find Smiths, I should have
given that rascally sfccniiow a sount
chastisirg On the spot.
Inquiry elected tho fact that
JJoinn Smith resided in Arch Street
Thither bent my steps. A maid ser
want answered my ring. ''Mr. Smitl
in ?"
Before the girl could reply, q big
red-faced man jumped out of tn
shadows behind tho door, and lai'
heavily on my shoulder.
eyes, sir" ho cried, in q voice 0
thunder. "Mr. Smith in. He staye'
at home all day on purpose to catcl
you, and now, by Jupiter, I'll hav
my revenge"
"Sir," said I, "thero must be som'
mistake. Allow me to Inquire if yor
are Mr.. John Smith ?"
"I'll inform you about Mr.. job
Smith in q way that you won't relish
if you don't settle damages forthwith
Five thousand dollars is the very low
est figure, and you must leave tn
country"
l cried: "What do you take m
for? You better be careful or you'l
get your head caved in!''
Mll cave your head for you, yo'
young villain" !" cried he, springing a
me with his cane.
"Oh, John, dear John!' cxclaime'
a shrill female voice, and tall fgur
in q sea of founces bounded down tn
stairway. "Don't, don't for the loV
of heaven-don't murder him."
"Whom do you take me for?' crlc'
I, my temper rising.
1T looks we'll for you to ask tha
question |" sneercd tho man, "yo
have won my wife's heart, and ar
here now to plan to elope with hol
I've found it all out, you needn'
blush, and"
II beg pardon for interruptinj
you," said /, "but I have never see
your wife before. Iperceive that sh
is not Melinda, the eldest daughter Q
my fathers great uncle"
"Sir, do you deny that you ar
William Jones? Do you deny tha
YOU are in love with my wife p
II am not Jones, 1 have not tina
honor, sir. My name is Parkwel
Henry Parkwell, of Squashville,' an
with 4 bow took myself off.
After that I called at the rosldenc
Of three John Smiths, none OF thon
was my Mr.. Smith and nothing OF
Cured worthy Of note.
; My next Mr.. Smith resided in Por'
land Street. Thither | bent my steps
1t was a very small house, evidenti,,
not the house of wealth and cleanl
ness. I made my way up to the iron
door, through a wilderness of rag
broken crockery, old tin ware, etc
scattering a flock Of hens and rousin
q snappish little terrier from his ma
. on the steps.
A red-faced woman answered m.
rap, but before I could mako my cuI
tomary inquiry she opened on m
!, like a two-edged butcher-knife'
"Well of all the impudent rascal
that ever I see, you beat the lot f!
: want to know if you had the chee
} to come back here again7 You'd lik
), to sell me another German silver 20