Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-02-27

The Bachelors Surprise.

slomera,ion on the sidewalks, the sasiieh'S al
the corner Pickering sullenly through the
mist. aud the wind taking one vigorously as
one came round the corner. Not pleasant
evening to assume possession Of new hume
but necessity knows no law, aud Mr.. Bark
dale pa, up his key into the red brick house
in the middle of the block, sincerely hoping
that his new landlady would bave common
sense enough to light fire in the CRATE.
"Is i, you, sir ?" Mrs. Heman quoth beam
ingly. "ru,re's a good fire, aud IT'S all
right"
"Allrght, eh - said the bachelor fc ling
the blue tip of his frosty nose to see wh'theT
it had escaped being frozen of entirely
"Weu, I'm glad to hear that. Have the
trunks come ?"
"Oh, yes, sir, and the other things"
What other thinss2" demanded Mr.
Ba ldale.
But Mrs. Hemau 'pursel up her lips,
waso't to tell, sir, please"
Rather nn eccentric old lady. thought
Mr.. Bark lale, pushing past her TO the thifd
story front room, which he bad solemnly en-
gagged the day before.
II had been rather a dark nnd dinsy little
den by the light Of the mCon but now, soft
ened by the coral shine Of a well-flled CRATE
i, wore quite another and brighter aspect.
"yelvet paper on the walls, gilt panelins
red carpet, and Sleepy Hollow chair
though, Mr.. Barkdale, glaucing around. " Not
50 uncomfortable, after ALL When | get my
things unpacked, it will seem quite home
/ like"
He set his valise down in corner, deliber'
ately opened it, took pair of slippers an'
Invested his tired feet therein. Next be laic
of his overcoat.
Now for cigar, ," thought he.
But the brown llyered weed was yet 10 hl'
hand. when there was a hustle and ilu,teT
and whisper, aud merry noise on the land
ing outside aud the door few open as II by
ma.ic. TO admit half dozen blooming
laughing girls.
Mr.. B4rkiale dropped bis cigar aud re
treated a step or two.
Don't be alarmed" said the tallest Nn'
prettiest OF the bevy " it's only surprise.
A very agreeable one, am sure" sai'
our friend, recovering in some degree bis pre-
seuce Of mind"
"There'. no mistake, l hope" said a yel
low tressel blonde. "Your name is no
Greenfield ?"
mo mistake at all, assure you, " said Mr
Barkdale "Of course it is not Greenfield
SIT down ladies"
And be pushed forward the Sleepy Hollow
chair, camp stool aud two rheumatic recep
ton chairs which were all the accommoda
tions presented by his apartment.
But instead of accepting his courtesy, th
girls all lu,tered out again, Gisgliug, aud in
second. before he cou'd realize this strane
condition Of affairs, they were back again
bearing benches and table-clothes, dishes, bo
quets, aud a pyramid Of maccoronies, pile
np plates Of sandwiches, frosted cake and
mysterious something like unto an ice cream
freezer
The golden tressed girl clapped her hands
You needn't thiuk We are doing al! thi
for you sir," she said
"Oh." said Mr. Barkdale, bashfully, /
-hadu't any such impression"
"Its all right, surprise designed 70
Ka,e's cousin"
And bow do you suppose we found it al
out ?" demanded the t,ll girl with the black
eyes and scarlet feather in her hat.
81 haven't the leas, idea"
owe found your letter 10 Kate, and w
girls read it, and we resolved to take you an'
her by surprise. She is to 'e here in bali al
| hour. Babara-,bat is Barbara Morris. il
the blue merno dress, turning her long lashe'
toward tie golden haired girl, preieudS tha
she has moved here, and Kate is to come ano
spend the evening with Barbara Won! it b
a joke ?"
srupendous, said our hero, gradually be-
ginning 10 comprehend that he was mistaken
for some one else.
"What will Kate say when she sees yor
here ?" eilcuatei another maiden, merrily.
"Ab. what Indeed, >" said Mr. Barkdale
wondering 10 what words he could best ex-
plain matters.
very considera,e Of you. am sure, OBJ
served Mr.. Barkdale.
"She's the sweetest girl in oil 81. Louis,
exclaimed the TALES, damsel enthusiastically
"a am one Of her dearest friends We work
our sewing machines side BY side a, Madame
Grilliard's Hasn't she never written to you
about Alice Moore 2'
IL don't jus; at this moment recall! thai
she has"
"Oh. well it doesn't matter" said Alice
" inst 81, down aud be good by while we
fix the tables. Aren't those roses beantifnl
My gooloess gracious, how astonished Kate
will be"
"She can, be more 50 than ! am" said
Mr. Barkiale. sinking into the Sleepy Hollow
chair aud passing his handkerchief vaguely
aeros, bic forehead. "Well, it's mere mat
ter Of fate cant think how arm to ex-
plain myself; and YET perhaps | ought 10 eS'