The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-10-13


ed Smith, it was said was handsome
young fellow; Smith was an accomplished
man, his vocal ability being something
marvellous ; Smith was wel-to-do; Smith
was of good family-in short, Smith was
everything desirable and my ears tired of
his name ere l once set my eyes upon
him.
One night he accompanied my friends to
church, and with disgusting impertinence
placed himself next to Araminta. They
shared the same hymn book, and seemed
to be on the most agreeable terms.
could have struck my rival to the earth
when, on issuing from the church, Aramin-
ia gave me a nod of recognition and imme-
diately took the proffered arm of Smith.
But was true to my purpose l showed no
spleen; was resolved to conciliate Ara
mintas mamma, and flattered myself that
already she was beginning to regard me as
a suitable son-in-law
Steadily pursuing the plan had formed
in my mind, and Of which felt my charm
er was cognisant, offered my arm to Mis-.
johnson, and all the way from the church
to the dwelling blessed by the presence of
my beloved, we spoke of poetry and the
arts. A very clever appreciativo woman is
Mrs johnson. In stature there was scarce
ly an inch difference 'twixt her and her
daughter, and when she spoke it seemed
the very echo of Araminta's voice. There
| I Ha1 int
Johnson's face, and refrained from the
mental calculation of how far she had
advanced on the wrong side of forty, was
able to fancy that had Araminta by my
side. This gave me poetic inspiration, and
felt little of the embarrassment which
usually accompanies young mans con-
versation with his future mother-in-law.
go, you must come in and take adittle
supper with u.s." said Mrs. johnson, when
we reached the gate. 81 want to intro
duce you to our friend, Mr.. Smith"
Throughout our walk Araminta and her
hated companion kept well ahead They
started with lead, and maintained it so
we'll that they had entered the house ere we
were in sight. / did not want to become
acquainted with Smith, but did wish to
bid Araminta good night, and to indicate
by a stronger pressure of the hand than
usual, that was making the way smooth
with her mamma.
Smith was, as l had imagined, shallow
Drained coxcomb. Twas Hyperion to a
Satyr over again being Hyperion, of
course, and he the distorted monster They
said he was a musician. Well, if loud
growing among the lower F's in the bass,
in the attempt to drown everybody else's
voice, constitutes claim to be considered
a musician, then Smith should at the very
least have put Mus Doc at the end of his
name
1t was welcome release when supper
was announced. Then offering my arm to
Mrs. johnson We left her offspring and
Smith to follow. OF course, all this time
my heart was with Araminta, although l
let no desires of my own interfere with my
purpose of rescuing her from the thraldom
Of her mother. Taking furtive glances at
Araminta on the other side of the table, l
conld not but compare her to Andromeda
Yes, she was the beauteous creature tied to
the rock of single blessedness; her mother
was the monster, was the gallant Perseus
resolved upon rescuing my beloved, and
Smith-well, he was an oflicious on-looker,
a sort of theatrical supe'-nothing more
"Ahp' exclaimed Mrs. j.. during an in
terval of cold beef and salad, "my Algy
was so fond of music. Often and often has
he called me to his side and insisted upon
my joining him in Meet me by moonlight
alone Do you know that song, Mr.
Quick ?'
became all attention at the mention of
this Algy, of whom had never heard be-
fore. Was he among the living If so, he
must be Araminta's brother. Perhaps he
too, would have to be conciliated ere the
divine creature and the three hundred
pounds per annum became mine My ex-
perience with Mrs. j., and the fear that a
similar process would have to be gone
through with this Algy, completely took
away my appetite, and / had barely
strength to gasp out
"No, ma'am, do not know the song.
Pray, does Algy live?'
"Liye " certainly not, Mr.. Quick. Poor
dear Algy he died in 1s4s."
A weight was lifted off my mind but
never having previously heard of "poor
dear Algy," my curiosity was stimulated
and determined to pursue my inquiries
further