The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-05-26

FHTT. osYYHYDUBY NPXULs,
In less than ten minutes Tom had trans
lated this innocent mystery into the words,
"Dear Mary, love you and always will.
Pennington Smythe," and thus banished
his fathers doubt and wretchedness.-
However, the old man was angry enough
to desire to give the unfortunate Penning-
ton lesson which he might remember.
SO when the young man made his usual
evening call, he was awaited in the parlor
by the incensed father and his greatly
amused son, and addressed him in the fol-
lowing stern and cruel words:
"Mr. Smythe, what do you mean by
writing to my innocent daughter in such
infamous style as this, sir P'' and he shook
Pennington's letter before his astonished
eyes.
"Sir," replied the youth, "it is not infa-
nous. 1t is an entirely proper note. All
the world might see it."
"Then why the devil did you write it in
this outlandish lingo?" returned the fa-
ther.
" She is not to blame" hastily urged
Pennington, judcously shirking the main
question. / assure you she never can read
them without my help, and when she writes
them she makes so many mistakes that
often l can't make head or tail of them"
"By them l suppose you mean the let
ters written in cipher, replied Mr.. Morris
"Well, won't add to your trouble. Only
let me advise you not TO write any more
cipher notes, my boy. Tom, here, read
your note almost as easy as if it had been
written in print. There, go along now, and
don't be silly again-at least, any more
than you can help, you know" And the
old man, quite recovered from his anger,
went laughingly away.
Pennington fingered. "Is it really true,
Tom, that you could read it without a
key?" he doubtfully asked.
Ofcourse l could. Why, Pen, there is
nothing easier to read than that sort of ci-
pher. If you will write in cipher-and
don't see why you shouldn't if you want to,
though you'll find it beastly tiresome--I
can tell you of cipher that no one can
possibly translate"
eff you would be SO very kind" mur-
INJURED Pennington.
"Why," continued Tom, "you select
some book. Then out of the words in this
book you make your cipher. For instance,
you want to write dear, as / presume you
do, and you find it, say, on the twelfth
page of the book, in the second line from
the top, and the third word in the line.-
You then represent it by the numbers 10, 2,
8. And so with the rest of your note.-
You see, no human being could possibly
read it unless they happened to guess what
book you used" .l.l Dat
Pennington was oveEjoyed at this delight
full plan, and, thanking Tom warmly, hast
ened to unfold the new cipher to Mary.
He felt at perfect liberty TO disregard Mr..
Morris advice not to write in cipher, for he
now decided that Mary's father would be
justifably regarded as a hoary-headed
tyrant, bent upon separating two loving
hearts, and only fit to be circumvented by
careful strategy. So he selected novel OF
which he knew that both Mary and himself
possessed copies; explained the cipher with
the UTMOST care, and after he reached home
put it in immediate practice by writing a
brief note and sending it by post, as he
would be unable to see her next evening"
This is what he wrote
35.9.5-33. 2.3-45.4 .4-69.5. 9-65. A. g.
81 .1.4-77.1 1-85.19. 0--83. A. p
93. $3.50. $50. 9.2.6-1175.8-u.179.
Now the book upon which this cipher
was based was printed in double columns
Unfortunately Pennington forgot to ex.
plain which of these columns he intended
to use. However, he decided to use the
outer column trusting that the other heart,
which, as he frequently remarked, was one
of two (which beat as one, )" would divine
his selection.
Two nights afterwards he reached the
Morris door, full of delightful anticipa.
tions. He was met by old Morris, who
thrusting a note into his hand, explained
with much unnecessary emphasis, and 9
total disregard Of the commonest rules o
politeness that if he ever ventured to pre-
sent himself at that house again he woulC
be kicked down the front steps, mixed VI
in complicated relations with the family
bulldog, and committed to the final care OF
the police.
He went home maddened with this yer!
undesirable mystery, and confident tina
old Morris had been attacked with deliriun
tremens and WINS an exceedinrIv nnsaf