Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-06-20

q bow, took myself off.
After that called at t he residence of
three John Smiths-none of them was
Mr.. Smith, and nothing occurred wor-
thy of note.
My next Mr.. Smith resided in Port
land street. Thither I bent my steps.
It was very small--evidently not the
house of wealth and cleanliness. I
made my way up to the front door,
through a wilderness of old rags,
broken crockery, old tin ware, etc. =,
scattering flock of hens and rousing a
snappish little terrier from his nap on
the steps. A red faced woman an
swered my rap, but before I could make
my customary inquiry she opened on me
like two-edged butcher knife.
"Well, of all the impudent rascals
that ever saw, you beat the lot. I
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
minta--wouldn't YOU"
"By no means,' said I; I beg leave
to inform YOU"
"Oh, you needn't beg. We don't
believe in beggars. I 'spose you thought
l would not know you--but I did. !
would know that back of yours in
California. Clear out of my presence
or Ill lay my broom handle over you.
If there is anything I hate, it's a ped
dler-especially rascal like you'll"
"Allow me to inquire" said I, il
Mr.. John Smiths wife was Melinda
Byrne, the eldest daughter of my
fathers"
The broomstick was lifted, I heard it
cut the air like minnie bullet, and
sprang down the steps into the street
at my best pace.
An angry woman! I would rather
face roaring lion.
l called on two more Mr.. Smiths
still unsuccessful in my search. It was
getting near dark, and I was more thar
anxious to reach my destination.
My next Mr.. Smith was located in
Lenox street. 1t was twilight when
rang the bell at his door.
A smiling fellow admitted me, fairly
forcing me into the hall, before I could
utter word.
"Walk right in, sir, they are expect
ing you. The ladies will be down in O
moment. Miss Hattie is in the bacl
parlor. Walk right in, sir"
1 was gently pushed toward the door
of shadowy apartment, and at the en-.
trance was announced.
"Mr. Henry"
The gas was not lighted, and the
apartment was in semi-darkness.
heard soft, quick football on the car.
pet, and a. pair of the sweetest lips in
the world touched mine-and, good
gracious-for moment the world
swan; and I felt as if 1 had been
stewed in honey, and distilled into Lu.
bins best triple extract of roses.
ooh, Henry, my dearest and best
Why don't you kiss me, Henry p
cried voice like music. Have you
ceased to care for me?" and again the
kiss was repeated.
Who could resist the temptation?
am naturally diffident man, but
have some human nature in me, and
paid her principal and interest.
"Oh, Henry, 1 had so feared that
being in the army had made you cold
hearted--good heavens!" She fell back
against chair as pale as death. The
servant had lit the gas and I stood re.
vealed.
81 beg your pardon, marm," said I,
there is evidently some mistake. Nav
l inquire if Mr.. Smiths wife was Me.
linda Byrne, the eldest daughter of my
fathers great uncle?"
The red flush came to the young
lady's cheek-she was handsome as q
picture-and she replied with courtesy. u
"She was not. You will, I hope,
excuse me for the blunder have com.
mitted? We are expecting my brother
Henry from the army, and your blue
clothes deceived me-"
"For which I shall always wear blue. u
l replied gallantly. "Allow me to in
troduce myself am Henry Parkwell,
OF Squashville," and in making my best
bow, stumbled over an ottoman. and
fell smash into china closet, demolish.
ing at least dozen plates and as many
glass tumbler;.
l sprang to my feet, seized my bag
and without word dashed out of the
house.
knocked over man who was pass
ing at the moment, and landed myself
on my head in the gutter. The man
picked himself up, and was about to
make display of muscle when the
glare OF the street lamp revealed to me
the we'll known face OF my John Smith.
Eureka| cried I, "Allow me to
inquire if your wife was Melinda, the
eldest daughter ofmy fathers great un-
Gle Byrne?"
She was!' said he, graspine nv
hand, "and I'm delighted to see you!
But confound it! you needn't come at a
fellow so!'
But 1 must cut my story short.
He took me home with him and I had
q good visit; saw Melinda to my
"a W.