Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-04-24
ThG Search for John Smith.

= Byrne consequently L was q relatlN
, to John.
Johns family had often visited
, our quiet country home, and at eac
, visit had most cordially pressed us
return the compliment.
Last October, business called IN
suddenly to the city of b, wher
our relative resided, and without ha1
ing time to write or apprise them c
my coming, I was intending to visi
the family of Mr.. John Smith.
With my accustomed carelessness,
had left his precise address at home il
my notebook. but I thought but littl
of it. 1 could easily find him,
thought to myself, as the cars set m,
down amid the smoke and hustle o
I inquired for my relative of th,
first hackman came across.
He looked at me with an i'll suppress
sed grin. What was the fellow laugh
ing at? To be sure my clothes wer,
not of the latest cut, and it is not jus
the thing for any one out of the army
to wear blue with bright buttons but
my coat was whole, and my aunt Betsy
had secured the buttons with whiting
and soft soap until they shone like
gold: L repeated my question with
dignity:
Can you direct me- to the residence
of Mr.. John Smith?'
''N1r. Smith," he said slowly.
"Yes, sir, Mr.. John Smith. He
married my fathers great uncle's
eldest daughter, Melinda -
''I don't think I know a John Smith
with a wife Melinda"
Tob,, S,,1tb
noun with him, from the peculiar
tone he used in speaking of that indi-
vidual.
"Ah!' remarked I, 'then there is
more than one of that name in the
city ?"
Il rather think there is
every well, then, direct me- to the
nearest"
''The nearest is in West street, sec
ond left hand corner-you will see the
name on the door,"
L passed on, congratulating myself
on the cordial welcome [ should re-
eeive from John and Melinda.
I soon reached the place-a hand
some house with the name on a silver
door-plate; I rang the bella servant
appeared.
"NIr. Smith in ?"
"No. sir; Mr.. Smith is in the
army"
Mrs. Smiths she 81
'lr the army ? oh, no-she is at the
beach,"
This is Mr.. john Smiths honse,
is it 81
.'Tt is
'Was his wife's name Melinda, and
was she Byrne before she was mar
ried, from Squashviile -
The man reddened and responded
angrily, "Tll not stand here to be in
suited, Make off with Yourself. or
I'll call the police. I thought from the
first that you was an entry thief, but
you ion't play 10 game on me - and
he banged the door in my face.
[, q thief If I had not been in such
a hurry to find the Smiths, [ should
have given that rascally fellow a sound
chastising on the spot.
Inquiry elected the fact that John
Smith resided in Arch street. Thither
[ bent my steps. 4 maid servant an
swered my ring.
Mr.. Smith i'll -
Before the lady could reply, big,
red faced llan Jumped out of the shad-
ows behind the door, and laid bis
heavy hand on my shoulder.
Yes, sir, he cried, In a voice of
thunder.
Mr.. Smith is in. He stayed at
home all day on purpose 10 catch you
and now by Jupiter, I'll have my re-
Venge !"
Sir" said /, there must be some
mistake. Allow me to inquire if you
are Mr.. John Smith 2"
TN inform voH about Mr.. John
Smith III 8 way that you won't relish,
II Yea don't settle damages forthwith.
Five thousand dollars is the very low
est figure and you must leave the
country -
cried, "What do you take NE for ?
You'd better be careful or you'll get
your head oayed i'll :"
''ili cave yolsr head in for you, you
young villain, you = cried he spring
ing at ne with his cane.
"Ch, John, dear John % exclaimed
a shrill female voice, and tall figure
in sea Of fiounces bounded down the
stairway. -'Dcc't-don't for the love
Of heave;-(;on-t murder him.
"Nham 10 you take me for ?" cried
/, ry temper rising
1T looks well for you to ask that
question" sneered the man, "you
have won my wife's heart, and are here
now to plan 20 eiope with her, I've
fount! Ii ali out-you needn't blush,
and"
- beg you pardon for interrupting
you" said /. "but have never seen
your wife before. l perceive she is
not Melinda, the eldest daughter of
nv fathers great uncle
Sir, 30 you deny that you are Will
liam Jonesf Do you deny that you
are i'll love with my wife %
81 am not Jones-I have not that
honor sir. NV name is Parkwell-
Henry ParlIwell, of Squashvillei" and
with ii bow, took myself off.
After that / called at the residence
OF three John S,niths-none Of them
was my MIR. Smith, and nothing oc-
Cured worthy of note.
My next Mr.. Smith resided in Port
land street. Thither / bent my steps.
1t was We y smail-evidently not the
house OF wealth and cleanliness.
made my way Hp to the front door,
through 81 wilderness of old rags, bro
ken erookery, old tin ware, etc, scat
tering flock of hens and rOj.sino q
snappish little terrier from his nap on
the steps.
A red-face,l woman answered my
rap, b,tt before [ could make my Gus
tonory inquiry she opened on me like
a two-edged butcher knife.
"Well, of all the inpndcnt rascals
that ever see, you beat the lot ! L
want to know if you had the cheek to
come back here again ? You'd like to
sell me another German silver pot, and
another brass bosom pin to dear Ara
m;nta-would'nt you.
''By NJ means" said I; 81 beg leave
to inform you.
"Ch, you needn't beg We don't
believe in beggars !! L s'pose you
thought I should not know you-but /
did / should know that black back
of yours in Californy Clear out of
NY pre- 'ence or I'll lay my broom han
die over you If there is anything ]
hate, it's d peddler--espccially y ras-
cal Ike you =
''Allow ME to inquire" said I, eff
Mr.. John Smiths wife was Melinda
Byrne, the eldest daughter of my