Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-10-02
5fiscellamu.
A Young Mans Dilemma.

peared in the Granville Mercury OF a
rainy morning in November, 18--.
Glenville was nothing more than a
hum-drum little country settlement, with
red brick town hall, a mouldy old mar
ket place, and labyrinth of narrow
streets which seemed to have been laid
out with special reference to the bewil-
derment of any chance passer, who might
find himself involved in their maze. A
quiet, dreamy, Rip Van Winkle sort of
place, where you would suppose every
man, woman and child had their special
mission to perform-and yet, before noon
of that Monday morning, swarm of
anxious aspirants for the Office of "Com-
panion for an Elderly Lady" had made
their appearance iu the best parlor of
the Glenville House.
Mr.. Reginald Chilliugfeld, who had
been out for walk in the street, was
was met ON the threshold of the hotel by
the boot boy:
40, please, sir, there's lot of 'em all
a-askin' for Mr Chill'nf'ldl"
"A lot of what?" demanded Mr..
Chillingfeld.
Reginald Chillingfeld was tall and
slender and handsome, with bright blue
eyes that shone with genial light, fair
complexion, and straight nose-which
latter feature he rubbed as he stood star
ing at Mike Updown.
"Of ladies, sir. Come to answer the
advertisement"
sol" said Mr.. Chillingfeld, " / rec.
ollect now"
And little reckoning of what lay be.
fore him, he pushed open the door Of
the hotel best parlor.
Only for half second, however. The
apparition of that army of femenine
faces, allexpectantly turned toward him
was enough to awe the stoutest bachelor
heart, and Reginald ChilIingfeld closed
the door with bang.
Jones" said he to his familiar friend
who had just lighted cigar in the read
ing room, what shall I do
In respect to what?"
My Aunt Polly's companion. There's
dozen of 'em there, apparently all age;
from sixteen to sixty. My Aunt Polly
don't want twelve companions"
Take the best looking" suggested
Jones, with revolving levity.
And be scratched by all the rest"
Take the worst looking, then. Ter
to one she's best fitted for companion
to an old lady"
My Aunt Polly is an excellent judge
of beauty. She'd send me back with
the article in less than two hours" re-
torted Chillingfeld
In that case" said Jones, meditative.
" cycling the end of his cigar, "I don't
see howyou're to get out of the dilemma"
Jones, don't prove faithless in such
strait as this Be man and friend
Suppose you had advertised for com.
panion for yoar Aunt Polly, and host
had responded, what would you do?"
Il should engage one of 'em, and send
the rest about their business"
Yes; but aohich one ? Be practical,
there's good fellow"
1.-The one whose appearance seems
best adapted to the emergency"
"Jones you are fool cried out
Chillingfeld.
Gam l to go into that room, and stare
about as if they are lot of winter ap-
rles or prize pumpkins on exhibition 5"
Have 'em admitted one by one,
suggested Jones, and on this hint Chill
ingfeld promptly acted.
You sit and pretend to be reading
the newspaper" whispered Chillingfeld,
"and if you like the applicants looks,
cough If you don't"
Well, if ] don't 2"
Crackle the newspaper Dear me
my shirt collar is wet already; my face
is burning. Why couldn't Aunt Polly
have hunted up her own companion ?
Yes Mike, already. Ask one of the la
dies to walk in
And, with grin Mike announced
"Miss Zarinah Hall"
Miss Hall was tall, scaDt-haired and
speetacled, in robe of gingham and a
drab silk hat.
81 am seeking asituation, young man, .
she said, not from necessity, but becs use
in middle life one feels the lack of com
psniOnship, l hope the elderly lady
mentioned in the advertisement is a
church member ?"
Cracklel crackle! went the newspaper.
Chillingfeld glanced guilty at his
friend.
No, she's not, said he: that isl
think, perhaps, a younger person-you
did not say how old you were, Miss