The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-20

all, Tor he never set foot out OF this coun-
try, and as your geography must have told
you, America has never been a kingdom
since the Revolution. That ought to be
enough to convince you that heads don't
signify any thing"
"Then, heads out of the question, aunty,
how do you know that he is single9"
"Of course he is-has lie got the don't
care look with him of a married manP ]
have too much experience of all manner of
men not to be able to judge of that But
to satisfy you, I'll ask old Mr.. Dyer, whom
/ saw shaking hands with him very hard,as
if he knew all about him."
"And don't forget to ask his name,
aunt--we ought at least to know the name
of the person over whom our designs are
pending"
Mrs. Cripps did accordingly question old
Mr.. Dyer, and learned that the gentleman
was a Mr.. Page, that he was unmarried,
and that, in the words of the informant, he
was 4" a worthy, respectable, orderly man."
Further than that she did not inquire
being satisfied that her own sagacity was
SuInClenC lot all OJner discoveries.
The next morning Clara was promenading
among other people, on shaded piazza,
attended by a midshipman named West
over, whose warrant was of very recent
date, and who was much admired by the
extremely young ladies, on account of his
uniform, which he wore upon all occasions.
Being the only officer of the day, he had
attached himself to Miss Burney, as the
only suitable beau for the only beauty,
and was indulging her with very vocifer-
GUS discourse, when Mrs. Cripps, who had
been watching with some anxiety the arch
smiles of her niece, exclaimed to lady
near her, "Just listen to that staggering
young boatswain it is easy to tell that he
has never been on shipboard by the way he
talks up to every body !" and she stepped
forward to put check to his dangerous ell
oquence.
-"Dear me, Mr.. Westover," said she,
"don't you feel very much smothered, this
roasting weather, with having that thick
blue cloth coat buttoned up to your chin ?
1t seems hard that you officers can't be
allowed to make yourselves comfortable
like common people. Don't you envy that
gentleman they call Mr.. Page, sitting there
on the settee, looking so cool in his suit of
} white linen? Do you know him 90
"He had an introduction to me this
morning, ma'am-he seems dry, poor
creature"
"Then do introduce Clara and me to
| l, pioI IN ha faI Ia
for that very reason. Wen go with you
now" m
my dear aunt p said Clara, drawing
back, " surely you would not" ..!
"Hush, child, he won't know any bet
ter" returned the old lady, and holding
Clara with one hand she seized the arm of
the midshipman with the other, and drew
! them up to the confused looking MIR.
Page, u
t "Mr Page, Mrs. Cripps-Miss Burney,"
said the midshipman, and then, as no one
, else spoke, Mrs. Cripps even being at a
. nonplus for the moment, he proceeded,
r "any political news in your papers, Mr.
: PageP-pray, what's your opinion of the
Q third term principal ?"
t That 1t Is a-a-quodlibet" answered
0 Mr.. Page, looking up over his broad brows
= into the face of the questioner, without
raising his head. He had resumed his seat
after making his bows.
: The midshipman looked as much posed
as Mrs Cripps and then responded, tur-
, bulently, ~ think it a humbug, sir--a de-
; cided humbug.
o AS the midshipman threw forth the we'll
: padded breast of his blue coat, and struck
the perpendicular frontlet of his cap into a
still stIaighter line with his nose, the
laughing eyes Of Clara were met by those
I Of Mr.. Page, with comic expression of
mock appeal that at once placed him on a
, more definite point in her estimation. Mrs.
1 Cripps observed the glance, and construed
i it in her own fashion. s.5i..5
a Don't worry Mr.. Page with any hard
Q questions, Mr.. Westover," interposed she,
t, in tone ofprotecting kindness; "he's not
e one to puzzle his brains about politics or
4 any thing else, I'll venture to give my
q word are you, Mr., Pages
+ -la"No, ma'am," answered Nj. Page,
Z meekly, and, to Clara's apprehension, his
o countenance grew still more comical.
I With q contemptuous look at Mr.. Page,
Q Alr. Westoyer reminded himself OF AN en-
i gagement, and Clara also made move,
4 proposing to retreat to tho saloon, but Mrs.
n Cripps was resolved not to lose the vantage