Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-08-13
SURPRISED"

The evening train was just starting
Tor its journey out into the solitudes Of
country wilds, when n tall, handsome
man of seven or eight and twenty
darted frantically into the depot and
swung himself, after perilous fashion.
upon the platform of the moving cars |
"Just saved myself! was his com
placent remark, and he settled himself
on tho velvet cushions under the lamp.
Yes-exactly just 7" commented a
gentleman who sat opposite. CT tell
you what, Harry Kneller, I shouldn't
repeat that kind of experiment very
often, if I were you"
Well, you see, l was in a great
hurry: Two been getting Q. little sur
prise for my sfife, and show L got
behind Eme. -
ga surprise. eh?" =
"You see," went on Mr.. Kueller,
confidently leaning over toward his
friend, .'she's exceedingly fond of
fried oysters, and up in the country we
never get any of that sort of thing"
30 that's the secret of the pail, eh?"
said George Arden, laughing good-hu-
moredly.
MIR: Kneller, on getting home, depos-
tied his precious burden carefully in
the corner OF the porch aud walked in
with nonchalant air.
"Well, Mattel" as the blue.eyed
woman came to meet him and put up q
rosy mouth to be kissed "supper
YesAand I'm SO glad you come
home early, Harry. for Mrs. Evarts is
sick, and they want me to sit up with
"All right!' said Harry, good .hu-
,moredly. eco, by all means, my pet. +"
and he rubbed his hands, thinking
gleefully. of the fine field he should
nave "a TOR his Surprise" go
will be back before seven to-mor-
row, Harry went on Mary Kneller
q musical cinking among the china tea
cups and saucers, "and you shall have
your breakfast in time for the train"
"Shall ?" thought Harry, nearly
sehoking himself with scalding tea, in
his strong sense of the implied joke.
f :" Couldn't have happened better" he
pondered, as he toasted his slipper
soles before the fire, while Mary was
washing the china, and lowering about
the apartment "on household thoughts
Intent" or Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Knel-
Ter were young people of limited in
come, and had not yet aspired to the
dignity of "help "-"no; it couldn't
possibly have happened better! A fair
field and no favor; and when Matte
comes back tomorrow morning she'll
ind breakfast ready, fried oysters and
all, or I'm uncommonly mistaken
Won't it be jolly surprise?"
"Good gracious, Harry what are
you doing?' calculated Mary, as her
husband gave vent to n very audible
chuckle. "What ple1ses you 80 much p
HPleases me? Nothing |" said Harry,
trying to look austere all of sudden.
and uttering, ell was thinking how
lonely Ishould be without you, dearl'
So Mrs. Harry Kueller tied little
white Cashmere hood over her brown
ringlets, and yenveloped herself in a
prodigious Scotch plaid shawl, and
tripped away under her husbands arm
to Mrs. Evart's abode, half mile be-
yond.
"Good-night, darling |" said Harry,
stopping to kiss her rosy cheeks at the
! door.
Goodnight. Harry"
'"And / soy, Matte, pursued Kneller,
unable to rcpress a brief flash of exul-
tation, "don't be astonished at any
little surprise may have in store for
you tomorrow morning ~
. i"H Surprise
But Harry was off before tho dissylla.
BILE had fairly passed Mary's lips.
y sit will be jolly fun!" thought
Harry.
8 With the first gray dawn of the chilly
winter morning Harry Kneller was uI
4 and stirring with vivid remembrance
Of the laurels he was to reap by thai
mornings work.
Where are the oysters ?" pondered