The Hickman courier., 1878-05-03

By-and-by, Eliza"
! Their conversation was here inter
rupted by the entrance of Jobert, wht
came to inquire if his friend was ready Il
/ 90 to the theater.
"Jobert, :" said Peter, the moment he saw
him, =" be kind enough to read this letter
| again"
" Willihgly-you have not found YOU
| spectacles yet, | suppose
Peter placed himself between Elizi
and Jobert, and showed the letter first t.
one and then the other. lie turned frs
to the latter, and, holding the mysterioui
document before his eyes, said
Read the beginning of this nOte."
" Ny dear sir" began Jobert.
Peter then turned 10 the housekeeper
and said
Now you read, Eliza"
" Deceitful man said Eliza.
g 1t is certain that one of YOU does
/ not know how to read" cried Peter, in q
complete state of stupefaction, looking
/ first at one and then at the other
During this time Jobert and Eliza had
/ been making signs 10 each other, which,
| however, neither of them seemed to
/ comprehend.
What l do not know how to read p
said Jobert, snatching the letter from
Peters hand and reading it with great
volubility.
"'My dear sir--I have the honor TO
inform you that shall draw upon you
on the 18th inst. for the sum of fitty-two
dollars, which you have owed me for a
very long time past. Yours respect
fully" 49,.
Glow do you say can not read p
said Eliza, n her turn taking the letter
from Jobert's hands, and reading very
quickly:
"'Deceitful man while 1 was the only
one concerned, i asked nothing OF the
unworthy husband whe forsOok me
shamefully. | preferred rather to earn
nv bread by the work of my hands, but
now that am the mother of two tTall
creatures, | announce to you that shall
draw en- you for the sum Of
" Draw on mep said Peter, " that Is
the only thing that agrees"
Eliza managed to approach Jobert,
and whispered 8 few words in his ear
without being seen by the dancing
master. tobeTt nodded assent to her
proposition.
This different reading is easily to be
explained" said Eliza. NJ Y d-e-a
i-r > that spells 'deceitful man. does 1t
not ?'
" What do you think ?" said Jobart,
turning To Peter.
Il can tell nothing without my spec
tacles," said Peter, getting more and
more bewildered.
at means that you read after the old
method, whicn is bad one, said Eliza,
turning to Jobert.
"While you read after the new, which
is good" replied Jobert.
:. 1t seems to me there must be still
third method, since the first reading sent
me to Bond street TO seek Mrs. Sey-
mour," thought Peter.
" Well, Peter" said Jobert, g | must
be off to rehearsal; are you ready to go?'
90 will follow you, tell them l am
coming"
"And I will go and fetch a magistrate
now, that we may be married al once,
said Eliza.
And they both left the house. No
sooner were they gone than Peter began
to walk excitedly up and down the
room, every now and then striking his
forehead with his hand.
This cursed letter." he muttered 10
himself what can it mean? First 1t
comes from a Mrs. Seymour then from a
creditor. then from q woman with two
frail creatures Oh, / shall go mad 20
Peter remained for some hours in a
very unenviable state of mind. be was
bewildered, mystified and miserable. He
was aroused from his reyerie by the en-
trance of Jobert, who had just returned
from the theater.
came to tell you that the rehearsal
is over. and you are fined, said Jobert.
What do care ?" said Peter des-
Perately. " JOb2rt, you are my friend,
are you not?'
You know that very we'll"
Now, tell me really the truth what
does this letter contain p
Well, I'll be frank with you'll was
joking you this morning, all that stuff
about a creditor was pure invention OF
mine, lust for fun. And ELIZA, too, in
vented pack of nonsense. Now le. me
read it."
Jopert took the letter.
It's from your mother" said he.
What, from Newark /"
& Yes, listen 70 il. Newark, n J.,
My dear son. Ellen, whom, no doubt,
you recollect, has inherited a fortune of
twelve thousand dollars. She has always
preserved the most tender remembrance
of you; and she has clearly shown me
that she would be happy to give you her
heart. Come, then, aud finish your con-
quest"
60, lovely Ellen, fly to you," said
Peter, beginning to pack portmanteau.
In which occupation he was interrupted
by the entrance of Eliza and a magis-
trste.
q have brought magistrate here to
finish our little affairs" said Eliza.
am not victim to your scheme,
Eliza" said Peter, know the contents
Of that letter now"
What are they ?" sad Eliza.
An adorable woman offers me her
heart and twelve thousand dollars. I'm |
going to marry her."
Don't make fool of yourself" said |
Eliza.
BE good enough to read this letter."
said Peter, handing it to the magistrate, |
. and remember l apply to your capacity, |
and | rely upon your reading it cor
rectly."
" Certainly, sir" said the magistrate.
When Mr.. Peter Patterson, who can
not read-"'
" What's that? What's that a cried
Peter, opening his eyes very widely.
The magistrate continued, "who can
lot read, and whom we wish to mystiiy.
.sks you the contents of this letter, tell
him the first thing that comes into your
lead."
What a plot" said Peter, letting
lis valise fall did not think that Of
you, JObert."
" 1t was only joke, you know" re-
olied his friend.
CA joke? Ii you were not my friend
would never forgive you, but as you
ire my friend"
I" And what will you do with met"
aid Eliza
YOU I'll punish you by marrying
rou."
And they were married then and there.
nd truth compels us TO state that neither
f them regretted it. Mr.. Peter Patter.
on found it especially convenient to
ave some one about him who knew how
o read.
The Cardiff Docks.
At the time that the father of the
resent Marquis of Butte came into nos.
ession OF the town of Cardiff, it was a
title unimportant village at the edge of
large tract of desolate moorland, which /
ad never been utilized in any wav I
'inally he resolved to supply the town
-