The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-07-31
NO. 80.

wealthy gentleman in the neighborhood
and by dint of perseverance and the ex-
ercise of all her powers of fascination
had almost secured his capture.
Mrs. Bankum had made no attempt to
conceal her designs upon the single bles-
sedness of Mr.. Wilks.
At last the day of triumph came, and
Mrs. Bankum displayed a note in which
the beguiled victim made a formal proffer
of his hand and fortune.
And the dear old fool will be here to-
night to receive his answer. What does
he think am made of, to refuse sixty
thousand a year 7" And Mrs. b. dis
played two rows of dentists finest
handiwork, as she laughed at such pre-
posterous idea.
Here was coincidence Miss Jones
hearty tainted. Was it not the Goth of
December, and was not her Solomon
coming that very evening to lead her off
captive to the residence of the Rev. Mr..
Heartsease, there to make her his wife I?
To no one had Miss Tabitha confided
her sweet secret. 1t was too sacred to be
banded about, like Mrs. Bankum's pub
lie courtship.
The sun was just about to disappear
behind the Weehawken bluffs as the
train rolled into the Grand Central de-
pot, and the passengers hurried out of
the cars. Solomon was getting more
and more nervous every minute.
1t was quite dusk ,and the street lamps
were Pickering, when Mrs. Hasher's
was reached, but the gas in the hall had
not been lighted. Solomon dismissed the
hackman, and assembled the ebrown-stone
steps with beating heart. A trim ser
vant-girl answered his ring, and he
mumbled something intended to see
Miss Jones, forgetting to send up his
card in his confusion.
''Oh yes, sir; I'll tell her." said the
girl, with queer smile, as she showed
Solomon into the dim parlor.
Bless my soul believe that girl
knows all about it, thought he. g It's
very annoying"
A rustic of silk was heard on the
stair, and Solomon turned, with start,
just in time to receive tall and fleshy
lady, weeping in very stacy manner,
into his arms.
II am yours, my dear, dear Mr..
Wilks," sobbed the lady.
Good gracious what does this
mean? This must be some horrible
mistake" calculated Mr.. Poddy, as he
staggered to chair with his burden.
"Be calm, my dear madam. My name
is not Wilks.''
Not Wilks !" shrieked Mrs. Bankum,
starting up. "Helpl help! thieves!
MURDER
"Thunder and lightning She's gone
crazy and am the cause. Be quiet,
madam-do, please" entreated the
wretched Poddy.
"Oh, Charles, save me from this
drunken lunatic ~ cried Mrs. Bankum,
as young man came into the room
and then she went into Mysteries.
"What do you mean by this conduct,
you villain 2" shouted Mr.. Charles, APP
preaching Solomon in threatening
manner.
"I'm sure II don't know,p stam-
mered Solomon, almost bereft of his
senses.
"Well, then, get out of here" thun-
dered Mr.. Bankum, taking him by the
collar and pushing him out upon the
stoop.
This was more than Poddy could
bear.
Let go my coat, sir ~ he shouted, as
he wrenched himself clear. 81 demand
to see Miss Jones.
"Oh, that's your game, is it ?'' said
the other. "Want to frightcn all the
ladies in the house, do you? Get off
the stoop, you vagabond !" and he push
ed the fighting, struggling Poddy to the
sidewalk, where quite an admiring
crowd had now gathered. Then all the
Poddy blood was up, and striking out in
not very scientific manner, Solomon
knocked Mr.. Charles down; but he was
up in second, and returned the COM
pliment by knocking MIR. Poddy into
the gutter, from whence he was pulled
by blue-coated policeman.
snow, then, what's the row, Mr..
Bankum 7" asked the officer, who was
very well acquainted with that gentle
man, having assisted him to find the
| key-hole of No. 1921 mora than onca