Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-29
The Bachelors Surprise.

A chill December evening, with the rain
and snow forming disagreeabe sort of
conglomeration on the side walks, the gas
lights ut the corner flickering sullenly
through the mist, and the wine taking one
viciously as one came round the corner. Not
pleasant evening to assume possession of
new home; but necessity knows no law, and
Mr.. Barkdale put up his night key into the
red brick house in the middle of the block
sincerely hoping that his new landady would
have common sense enough to light fire in
the crate.
"Is it you, sir?n Mrs. lIeman quoth,
beamingly. There's good fire, and it's
all right"
"All right, eh?" said the bachelor, feeling
the blue tip of his frosted nose to see wheth-
er it had escaped being frozen of entirely.
"Well, l am glad to hear that Have the
trunks Gomez
"Oh, yes. sir, and the other things"
"What other things?" demanded Mr..
Barkdale.
But Mrs. Heman pursed up her lips. 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 solemnly
engaged the day before.
1t had been rather dark and dingy little
den by the light of the moon; but now, soft
ened by the coral shine of well-flled CRATE,
it wore quite another and brighter aspect.
"Velvet paper on the walls, gilt paneling
red carpet, and n Sleepy Hollow chair"
though Mr.. Barkdale CHANGING around. Not
so uncomfortable after all. When get my
things unpacked it will seem quite home
like"
lie set down his valise in the corner, de-
liberately opened it, took ont pair of slip
pers, and invested his tired feet therein.
Next he laid of his overcoat.
"Now for cigar" thought he.
But the brown layered weed was yet in his
hand when there was hustle, and a fluttor
and a whisper, and merry noise on the
landing outside, and the door flew open rs if
by magic, to admit half-a-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; "it's only surprise. "
"a very agreeable one, I'm sure, said our
friend, recovering in some degree his pres
ence of mind.
There's no mistake, hope" said n yell
low-tresscd blonde. "Your name is not
Greenlield?"
mo mistake at all, | assure you, said Mr..
Barkdale. "Of course it Is not Greenfield.
Sit down ladies'
And he pushed forward the Sleepy Hollow
chair, camp stool and two rheumatic re-
ception chairs, which were all the accom-
mOdatons presented by his apartment.
But instead of accepting his courtesy, the
girls all iluttered out again, gigglng. and in
u second, before he could realize this strange
condition of affairs, they were back again,
bearing benches and table-cloth, dishes,
bouquets, pyramid of maccaronies, piled
up plates of sandwiches, of frosted cake, and
mysterious something like unto an ice.
cream freezer.
The golden tressed girl clapped hor hands
"You needn't think we are doing all thi,
for you, sir" she said.
oh" said Mr.. Barkdale, bashfullY, 81
hadn't any such impression"
ats all surprire designed for Kate
cousin
''ls it?n said Mr.. Barkdale, more in thu
dark than ever.
"And how doyou suppose we found it nj
Out9" demanded the tall girl with the blacl
eyes and scarlet feather in her hat.
II haven't the least idea"
I'VE found your letter to Kate, and W,
girls read it, and we resolved to take you an'
her by surprise. She is to behere in half Al
hour. Barbara-that is Barbara Morris, il
the blue merino dress" with turn of he
long lashes toward the golden haired girl
"pretends that she has moved here and Kat,