Smyrna times., 1876-02-02


And while we walked and smoked h,
gave me an insight into the business h,
had for me.
You see" began j. j., I'm in little
hX' I've got the dearest old father that
ever lived; but he is very set in his ways
lie mas my future all mapped out, and at q
certain time, only a few days hence. and al
certain place, which is in this city-I will
show you the house soon-I am to marry
one Blanche Edgerly, young lady, whom
have never seen. She is the daughter
OF very old friend of my fathers, and our
parents fixed up the matter to their salts.
faction when we were children. blanche
Is now living with her aunt, Mrs. Carnot. n
widow lady of means. There, that is the
house-that great brownstone."
" But what is there so very disagreeable
about thatr | asked. Marriage is not so
vevy bad, they say'
am not particularly averse to the
matrimonial state" said J. J.. "but 7
really dislike this sort of an arrangement y
Yes, understand you; but l do not
see now on earth your very willing friend,
John johnson, can help you."
I'll show you," said j. j. want to
see Blanche and not be seen-I want to
Judge for myself before take this lean
The coincidents of names suggested to me
the feasibility of procuring substitute
All! l see now. You want me to 90
and make love toher in your place. There
Is no resemblance. You are light, and |
! am dark
J.J. S'1
"Very good. But what of your"
"oh! | shall go along with you as your
very esteemed friend, Peter Snooks. or
some other body"
Why not both 60 under our true
names?' | asked, ready, as usual. for a
little sport. g Miss Edgerly will be so
puzzled as to which is the true John John.
son that she will not fall in love with either
OF US, until you have time to decide whether
you want her for 2 wife. If the decision is
untavorable, you can then slip out of the
way, and leave the field to me-"
"Capital, by Jover' exclaimed J. J. "IfI
you can only carry it throughl'
A." Risk me for that" | said. confidently.
" Hou see am desperate man, run to the
last dollar almost, though it's no fault of
mine. have pocketful of references
Enough, my friend. trust you. And
III almost promise you Blanche EdgerIv
for, if should take fancy to her, it would |
seem SO much like bargain and sale, that it |
seems L never could marry her. There. |
let us 60 back now, and arrange matters.
Fortunately, father wrote two letters of in. |
PRODUCTION, and have them both with me.
Wen get private room at the hotel, and
will give you enough of my history to
enable you to act your part we'll; and this
evening we'll make our debut. How's
that?n
Very good, excepting one important
particular. In my present condition there
would be no trouble in detecting the true
John Johnson"
j., j, drew his wallet immediately. and
put into my hand more money than had
ever owned at one time before. confess
to little pride, but necessity overcame it.
and | very politely thanked him for the
" advance on my salary"
The procuring of my new outfit caused a
little delay. We had plenty Of time, how.
ever, for when we were ready to proceed to
the " brownstone" knew as much of J.J
and his ancestors as he did himself.
We had arranged that should 20 first.
walked boldly up to the door and sent
the servant in with my card Hewas gone
but moment, and he very obsequiously
showed me into an elegant parlor.
A young lady arose as entered, and re.
me III the most unembarrassed
manner. | was also completely at ease.
and noted at the first glance that she was
perfect blonde, trife above the medium
height, charmingly beautiful, exquisitely
graceful, elegantly attired, and twenty-five.
"You are welcome, Mr.. Johnson said
she. We have been expecting you. Nv
aunt received your fathers letter yester.
day."
"Then you are Blanche Edgerly," said !,
with a smile.
Excuse my negect," said she, abut ]
you seemed so much like an acquaintance"
Another person now entered the parlor i
cutting short the gallant reply which was
1t my tongues endj and saw that my I
dea Of Blanche would tally very well with
lhe impression this second lady made on I
me, only substituting brunette for blonde. ]
Yet there was no resemblance between ]
ihem, only in the abstract. They were /
both beautifulsyoung, and, better than ali, 3
Z
Mr.. John johnson, Mrs. Carnot."
betrayed my surprise by very awk. c
ward bow, which made the golden-haired G
Blanche smile at me- ]
" You did not expect to find my aunt so /
- Fs.,s1 IL.