New Orleans Republican., 1877-01-21


announced. Lindsay had no sooner made
his appearance than Bollop, throwing let
| ter to him, rORred out, "Sit down; heir
| yourself, and then read that, and tell me il
it isn't enough to make man swear"
Tom did as he was told and read the let
ter. 1t was from the Hon. Ferdinand Fit
tertip in answer apparently to one of Boil
lop's, pointing out In vivid coiors the disad
vantages of Raeburn. The Hon. Ferdinand
writing in the blandest manner possible
said he would soon have the drains put
right, and added that he dotted on ghosts
they we're so romantic; 80 it was evident
BOllOp had played his best cards and made
nothing by them. Mr.. Flittertip further
said that he should arrive on a certain day
and look over the place.
pretty COOL" said Tom, returning the
epistle.
"Pretty COOL" shouted BollOp, nearly
swallowing wine glass in his rage; II call
it fIeezing-below zero-bursting the built
of any thermometer that ever was made
He's perfect refrigerator! Don't give him
good reasons why he shouldn't take the
house, and still he persists in doing so"
at is sggravating," said Tom, sympa-
thetioally.
"Aggravating; it's a raw, blister. What
am to do2 The mans mad"
The last word gave DIR. Tom an idea. He
said, you want TO get rid of this man, Mr.
BollopP
"Of course do"
every well, think / can manage it for
yOu." said Tom.
"Can youl / shall be eternally grateful,
and you shall have anything it is in my
power to give you If you do it," said
BOllop.
THAT'S bargaiu," Tom said: 'If dis.
gust Flittertip with the place you will give
your consent to my marrying Rose"
"Rose," said BOllOp, taken aback. you're
sharp, young man; but I've given my word,
and I'll stick to it. Rose is yours If Filter.
tip is vanquished."
They had long consultation. which we
may pass over, and come to Flittertip's ar
rival
1t was q fine morning, and the sun shone
brightly on Raeburn House, making the
large garden show to the best advantage,
when the Hon. Ferdinand Flittertip and
his wife drove up to the door A servant
came out to attend to them, and as they
descended from the carriage a curious ap-
partition showed itself on the lawn.
1t looked in the distance like u stout,
gray-haired gentleman arrayed in particOl
Ored garments, with a large bouquet in his
buttOn-hOle, and crowned with fantastic
ally arranged wreath OF flowers This Crea-
ture was executing pas seul among the
geraniums, and occasionally emitting
oh6tOuoo Va sung HAlbbcIbAp huu WIG
gazed in bewildermentat this strange figure
as it waltzed away and was finally lost in
the shruobery, and they we're just about to
put some questions to the servant when Tom
Lindsay appeared at the door of the house.
"The honorable Mr.. Flittertip, l pre-
sume," said Tom, politely. II must intro
duoe myself. / am DR.. Lindsay, resident
here; and as my friend, Mr.. BOllop, is
slightly indispOsed, he has asked mo to
show you over the house."
Flittertip, who was q dandified elderly
man, with very affected manner, bowed
politely and expressed his thanks, and the
party went into the house. Both he and
his wife had been very much puzzled by the
apparitiOn witnessed on their arrival, but
they said nothing.
DIR. Tom was o conscientious cicerone, and
showed them all over the house. He also
pointed out the beauties of the view from
several of the windows, and when he did
so, Flittertip was almost certain he saw the
fgure which had appeared upon the lawn,
dancing somewhere in the distance.
After they had made the tour of the
house, they proceeded to explore the garden
and park. At one extremity of the latter
was a wall which divided Raeburn grounds
from the little bit of land and the house on
it, which belonged to old Bollop. And as
they approached this place Flittertip and
them down as if they had been shot.
Tom Lindsay was just saying THAT, Mr..
Flittertip, is Mr. BOllOp's house, with about
an acre of grouRd belonging to it, when
the figure Fiittertip had seen on the lawn
darted up from behind the wall, looking
more maniacal than ever, with the wreath
over one eye and basket on one arm filed
apparently with flowers, apples and toma-
toes, with which it commenced to pelt the
paralyzed Flittertip and his companions.
"GOod graciOusW stammered Flittertip,
"wbO is that, DR.. Lindsay" while Mrs. f.
fairly took to her heels and fed, the figure
on the wall skillfully landing q ripe tomato
on the small OF her back as she scuttled off.
"lf you will come away, Mr.. Flippertip,"
said Tom, who did not offer, no Rever, to
move himself, II will endeayor to explain" :"
"Bleed him, doctorl bleed himl" shrieked
the figure on the wall. "That's what he
Wantsl" and q dexterously thrown apple
caught Flittertip on the nose, ct which he
turned and ran off like his wife, DIR. Tom
following, after exchanging q confidential
wink with the WeRrer of the wreath, who
continued to pelt Flittertip until he wss out
of reach.
"And now, sir" gasped Flittertip, as he
supported Mrs. +. to garden seat, "per-
haps you will explain this extraordinary
occurrence. Who was that unearthly in
divldualp
"My dear sir" said Tom, politely, mo one
can regret this matter more than do. That,
sir, was my unfortunate friend, Mr.. BOllOp,
who is in one of his parOxysms today
"Mr. BollOp! ParOxysmsl What do you
meanP'
simply, sir, that my friend has fits Of
madness"
"But he wrote to me quite sanely-I have
his letters"
mo doubt. These fits only come on oc-
casiOnally, and in the intervals he is SEN
sible enough"
Mad enough when they do come on
said Flittertip, irritably. "And am / to un.
derstand that Mr. Bollop has the freehold
of that place, and will continue to reside
therep
Certainly" said Lindsay.
"Oh, Ferdinand" murmured Mrs. Fit
tertip, "let us leave this place; how can we
exist with that awful lunatic next door.
Oh, horror, there he is againP
And the poor lady covered down in
fright, for eareering over the grass in the
distance they saw their late adversary
sportively chasing flock of sheep.
Flittertip looked thoughtful; and they
all walked to where the carriage was wait
ing. Before going away he said, ~ am
May l ask if Ii would hurt him if had an
interview with him; though I'm afraid my
purchase of the estate will be out of the
question now"
81 dare say you can bee him." said Lind
say, with some doubts in his mind.
Every well, will call on him the day
after tomorrow" said Flittertip, and they
drove away.
They had no sooner gone than the
supposed lunatic came up in high glee to
Lindsay.
"We1l,p he said, roaring with laughter
Didn't ! do the trick beautifully. Did
you ever see any body &c scared, and how