The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-06

having aScertalneu from the girl at
what hour the family dined, he called
the next day precisely at the dinner
hour. He rung at the door, and when
the girl opened it, Peter stepped into the
hall.
els Mr.. Sharp In 2' asked Peter.
Yes, slr,' said the girl; she's up
stairs. I'll speak to him if you want to
see him"
" Yes," said Peter, "and I'll take a
seat in the parlor till he comes down" ."
AS he said this, Peter walked into the
parlor and seated himself upon an ele-
CANT sofa. The parlor was richly fur
nished with Brussels carpet, the best of
mahogany furniture, splendid piano,
&c, &c, and in the back parlor, to
which folding doors were open, every
thing appeared with corresponding ele-
gance. A table was there spread, upon
which dinner seemed to be nearly ready.
Presently the girl returned from the
chamber, and informed Peter, that Mr..
Sharp said :" 1t was just the dinner hour
now, and he would have to call again. T"
PLEASE go and tell Mr. Sharp" said
Peter, " that l must see him, and I'll
wait till he comes down."
1.-THE girl carried the message and Mr..
Sharp soon made his appearance in the
parlor. A frown passed over his brow
as he looked at Peter, and saw him sit
ting so much at ease, and apparently so
much at home, upon the sofa. Peter
rose and asked him politely if it was
convenient for him to pay that little bill
to-day.
mo" said Sharp, " it is not; and if
it was, 1 wouldn't t take it at this hour
It's very improper time to call upon
such an errand just as one is going to
sit down to dinner. You must call
again; but don't come at dinner time I;
or you may drop into the store some
time, and perhaps l may find time to
attend to it there"
Well, now, Mr.. Sharp" said Peter,
with a determined look, 4" can't stand
this kind of business any longer, that's
a fact. I'm poor man, and 1 suppose
you are a rich one. I-can't afford to lose
five dollars, and I'm too poor to spend
any more time in running after it and
trying to collect it. must eat, as well
as other folks, and if you can't pay me
the five dollars to-day, to help me pay
my board at my regular boarding house,
I'll stay here and board it out at your
table"
"You will, will you s' said Sharp,
looking daggers, and stepping towards
Peter. " If you give me word of your
impudence, you may find it'll be long
time before you collect your bill"
cts been a long time already" said
Peter, "and can't afford to wait any
longer. My mind is made up;-if you
don't pay me now, I'm going to stay
here and board it out"
Sharp colored, and looked at the door,
and then at Peter.
"Come, come, young man." said. he,
with rather threatening at
titude towards Peter, :" the sooner you
leave the house peaceably the better"
" Now, sir,' said Peter, fixing his
black eyes upon Sharp, with an intense
ness that he could not but feel, " L am a
small man, and you are considerable of a
large one; but my mind is made up. L
am not going to starve, when there's
food enough that / have an honest claim
upon"
So saying he took his seat again very
deliberately upon the sofa. Sharp paus-
ed he looked agitated and angry; and
after waiting minute, apparently un-
decided what to do, he left the parlor and
went up stairs. In few minutes the
servant rung for dinner. Mrs. Sharp
came into the dining room and took
her seat at the head of the table. Mr..
Sharp followed, and seated himself OPP
posite his lady; and between them, and
on the right Of Mrs. Sharp, sat another
lady, probably some friend or relative of
the family. When they were all seated,
and Mr.. Sharp was beginning to carve,
Peter walked out of the parlor, drew an
other chair up to the table, and seated
himself very composedly opposite the
last mentioned lady. Mr.. Sharp colored
a good deal, but kept on carving. Mrs.
Sharp stared wildly, first at Peter, and
then at her husband.
What in the world does this mean ?''
said she. Mr.. Sharp, didn't know
we were to have company to dinner"
"We are not,' said the husband.