The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-05-15
THE BACHELORS SURPRISE.

| A chill December evening, with the rain
and snow forming disagreeable sort of
conglomeration on the sidewalks the gas
lamps at the corner Pickering sullenly
through the mist, and the wind taking one
viciously as one came around the corner.
Not a pleasant evening to assume posses
sion of a new home: but necessity knows
no law, and Mr.. Barkdale put up his night
key into the brick house in the middle
Of the block, sincerely hoping that his new
landlady would have common sense to
light fire in the CRATE.
els it you, sir?' Mrs. Human quoth,
beamingly. "There's good fire, and it's
all right
CAN right, ell ? said the bachelor, feel
ing the blue tip of his frosted nose to see
whether it had escaped being frozen off
entirely. "Well, | am glad to hear that.
Have the trunks Gomez
''Oh, yes, sir, and the other things
"What other things?" demanded Mr..
Barkdale.
But Mrs. Human pursed her lips up
81 wasn't to tell, sir please"
"Rather an eccentric old lady," thought
Mr.. Barkdale, pushing past her to the
third-story front room, which he had SOL
EMMY engaged the day before.
1t had been rather dark and dingy little
den by the light Of the moon; but now,
softened by the choral shine of a we'll filled
CRATE, it wore quite another and brighter
aspect.
"Nelvet paper on the walls, gilt panel
ing, red carpet, and Sleepy Hollow chair, !"
thought Mr.. Barkdale, glancing around
"Not so uncomfortable after all. When
get my things unpacked it will seem quite
homelike.'
He set down his valise in the corner, de-
liberately opened it, took out pair of
slippers, and invested his tired feet therein
Next he laid off his overcoat.
"Now for cigar" thought he.
But the brown-layered weed was yet in
his hand, when there was a hustle, and a
tiutter, and a whisper, and merry noise
on the landing outside, and the door flew
open, as if by magic, to admit half dozen
blooming, laughing girls.
Mr.. Barkdale dropped his cigar, and re-
treated step or two.
! "Don't be alarmed said the tallest and
prettiest of the bevy. cts only sur
prise.''
"a very agreeable one, I'm sure" said
our friend, recovering in some degree his
presence of mind.
"There's no mistake, l hope" said
yellow tressed blonde. Sc Y our name is not
Greenfield?''
No mistake at all, assure you," said
Mr.. Barkdale. "Of course it is not Green
field. Sit down, ladies'"
And he pushed forward the Sleepy Hol-
low chair, camp stool and two rheumatic
reception chairs which were all the accom-
modations presented by his apartment
But, instead of accepting his courtesy,
the girls all fiuttered out again, gggling,
and in second, before he could realize
this strange condition of affairs, they were
back again, bearing benches and a table
cloth, dishes, bouquets, pyramid of mac
aronies, piled up plate of sandwiches, of
frosted cake, and a mysterious something
like unto an ice cream freezer.
The golden tressed girl clapped her hands.
you needn't think we are doing this
for you, sir, she said.
son." said Mr. Barkdale, bashfully,
"I-I-hadn't any such impression.
It's all surprise designed for Kate's
cousin"
''Is it 90 said Mr. Barkdale, more in the
dark than ever
"And how do you suppose we found it
all out9" demanded the tall girl with the
black eyes and scarlet feather in her hat.
81 haven't the least idea
"We found your letter to Kate, and we
girls read it, and we resolved to take you
| and her both by surprise. She is to be
here in half an hour Barbara-that is
Barbara Morris, in the blue merino Dress
with turn of her long lashes toward the
golden haired girl. "pretends that she has
moved here, and Kate is TO come aud spend
the evening with Barbara. Won't it be
joke?'
"Stupendousv' said our hero, gradually
beginning to comprehend the fact that he
was mistaken for some one else.
"What will Kate say when she sees you
here ?' calculated another maid, merrly.
"Ah! what, indeed % said Mr.. Barkdale,
wondering in what words he could best ex-
plain matters.
"Of course we shall all look the other
way while you are kissing and hugging
her." said Miss Barbara, demurely.
every considerate of you, l am sure"
observed Mr.. Barkdale.
"She's the sweetest girl in New York,
exclaimed the tall damsel, enthusiastically.
81 am one of her dearest friends. We
work our sewing machines side by side at
Madame Grillard's. Hasn't she ever writ
ten to you about Alice Moore?"
"I-I can't just this moment recall that
she has,"
ooh, well, it doesn't NATTER said Miss
Alice. " Just you sit down, and be good
boy, while we fix the tables. Aren't those
roses beautiful My goodness gracious,
how astonished Kate will ber'
/ "She can't be more SO than | am,'' said
Mr.. Barkdale, sinking into the Sleepy Hol-
! low chair, and passing his handkerchief
vaguely across his forehead. "Well, it's
a mere matter of fate; l can't see how l
am to explain myself; and yet, perhaps,
ought to explain. Ladies'
/ "Hush sh sh sh' cried the six pretty