The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-14
An Odd Man.

here there will be five shillings for you if
the chaise is here in time. Ay, you may
we'll make bow; told the gentleman it
was too much for you"
"Pm very much obliged to you both,"
said Sam, slyly, "I'm sure, sir; I'll be off
at cock-crow."
"There, Sam Shears" said Molly, as soon
as they had the kitchen to themselves
again, "did you ever hear of one Of your
new what-d' 'ye-call-ums ordering chaise
to go ranting about in, should like to
knowP What have you got to say nowP"
"I say" said Sam, Gas he's gentle
man, and no mistake"
The evening passed away very quietly in
the little parlor. The favorable impression
made upon Bolton by his guests manners
and conversation was certainly deepenedby
their further intercourse but the position
seemed felt by both parties to be an awlk-
ward one and when his departure early on
the following morning was proposed, Bolton
of course made no effort to detain him.
Both employed most of the evening in
reading and one or two remarks made by
the stranger, as he made his selection from
the curates's library, proved at least his &C
quaintance with the works which it con-
tained, though nothing escaped him, as he
wiped the dust from some of Harry's pres
entation volumes, which could indicate
either his agreement or disagreement with
the sound divines he was handling, and
his clever criticisms were rather those of
the photographer than the theologian.
At last he seemed to bury himself in vol
ume of old South, and carried it Off with
him early to his chamber.
The morning came, and eight O'clock
brought breakfast, and half-past eight the
chaise, with Sam Shears fast asleep inside
of it. The curate and his guest parted with
mutual goodwill, and with short but
warm acknowledgment, on the part of the
latter, of the hospitality he had received.
Sam was not forgotten he received the
promised gratuity, with many bows, and
did not put his hat on again until the
chaise had fairly turned the corner.
"Uncommon nice gentleman that, sir, to
be sure" said he to his master, with whom
he seldom missed the chance of little con-
versation, if he could help it--and Bolton
was generally good-natured enough to in
dulge him" uncommon nice gentleman ;
what thousand pities it is he should be a
Methodyr r'
GA what ?" inquired the curate, turning
round upon him in ludicrous dismay.
"a Methody preacher, sir" said Sam,
boldly for Harry's countenance quite con-
firmed his suspicious ., know all about
it, sir but it amt of no account with me,
sir, you know, not none whatever, "-and
he redoubled his negatives with confden-
tial righteousness which made Harry in
clined to kick him. 81 met Joe Haines,
as drives the Regulator, this morning, and
he asked me very particular about you, you
see, sir, and how you got home O. Saturday
night; and then told him as how this
gentleman came with you; and when he
heard he'd been staying here all day yes
terday, how he did laugh, to be sure and
then he told me-"
"I'l tell you something, Sam, too. You
had much better mind your own business,
and not trouble yourself to talk to Joe
Haines, or anybody else, about what goes
on in my house."
There was no mistalking the fact that his
master was angry and as such thing had
very seldom happened within Sans expe-
rience,it was result of which he stood con-
siderably in awe and he hastened, in some
confusion, to apologize, and to resume
his praises of the Every nice gentlemap,
whatever he was, -" And as you say, sir,
that's no business of mine Pm. sure /
should be most happy to wait upon him at
any time, sir"
But Bolton had retired, and shut the
door Of his little sitting-room in an unmis-
taxable manner. So Sam was obliged to
soliloquize the rest of his apologies, which
began to be very sincere, as he consoled
himself by gazing at the two half crowns
which had come into his possession so ca
silly. "Of course if so be as he's gentle
man, what mattersP That's what / say
that's what said to master: that's what I
said to Molly hallooP heyP-if this here
half crown amt smasher p
Twas too true it rung upon the flag
stone like an unadulterated piece of lead.
"What's the matter now, samP'' said
Mrs. Molly, who heard the sound, and met
his blank face in the passage.
81 told you what he was" said Sam