The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-10-26
MRS. BLAND.

Ripping Beach some three years ago
had the advantages of quiet and seclu-
sion. 1t was an out-of- the-way place
on the Sound, which | believed then
had almost discovered. There was a
modest, countrified hotel, where food
and mosquitoes might be had at min
imum of cost. With two weeks holi-
day and an exceedingly moderate
amount of money to devote to my pleas
ures, after due consideration, had Sc
lected Ripping Beach for my fairing.
As third clerk in the bank, my yaca-
lions were few and far between, and
had determined to make the best of the
occasion. When Mr.. Rowland, the as
sistant teller, whose business it was to
pay the employees their salaries, had
given me my check, he had casually
asked me where was going, and had
eXpatiated on the charms of Ripping
Beach, and its being one of the lost
places on Long Island.
Visitors at the Beach House were,
though goOdish people, not congenial.
| was indifferent, however, to society.
BOatmen and fishermen were my boon
companions. | had been a week at
Ripping Beach when | became ac-
quainted with Mrs. Bland. This lady
was a late arrival. How | came to
talk to Mrs. Bland | can hardly tell. |
rather think that, hearing the lady ex-
press desire to see a city paper, had
handed her a Times, and in this way
some commonplace conversation had
commenced. A certain pleasant way
the woman had, afairly well-bred man
ner, Discrimination to indulge in title
tattle with the rest of the boarders,
made her society rather agreeable than
otherwise. Mrs. Bland was diminu-
tive, had graceful figure, and dressed
in quiet taste. Though Mrs. Agnes
Bland was fully thirty, she impressed
me with certain childishness of ex-
preston, in which vague description l
trust am not paraphrasing Mr.. Bret
Harte. The lady's eyes We're of pale
blue. without tiXity of glance. No one
would ever have been rude enough to
even attempt to stare Mrs. Bland out
of countenance. 1t would have been,
apparently, too easy a thing to do.
Without having evasive eyes, they
seemed subdued and the least bit fur
tive. An immense volume of fair,
blonde hair which she wore in one big
braid, added most essentially to her
charms. For any trait of fixity of pur-
pose in Mrs. BANDS regularly oval
face, the only indication of it was
slight wrinkling of the forehead be-
tween the eyes. Such burrows had,
however, no permanence. Y ou might
see such little winrows on child's
face when some passing matter for a
brief moment had engaged it's scattered
wits. Conversationally, Mrs. Bland
was fairly amusing. Educated she was
not; but having a good amount of in
tuitive perception, her remarks were
clear and defined. 1t was the day after
l had given her the paper, when said
to Mrs. Bland, Has your budget failed
to reach you? 1t is one of the annoy
ances of an out-of-the-way place. Mails
are dilatory, or come in patches"
"What doyou know about my mail?n
asked Mrs Bland, the little wrinkles
roughening her forehead.
"Why, Mrs Bland" replied, eff
you do not receive many letters, at
least you have a famous collection of
newspapers coming to you every day
at least dozen"
Chow do you know that?''
1.-The only grocery man in the little
town, who sells me fish-hooks, is the
Postmaster. l 90 there early in the
morning, before the mail is sent to the
hotel. The grocer generally runs the
whole mail, before me, into a bushel
basket, prior to handling me my occa-
sional correspondence. | see Mrs.
Agnes Bland on ever so many journals.
Have the honor of addressing lady
correspondent literary womanP"
Nonsense! what an idea! My hus-
band sends the papers to me. 1t is a
delicate attention on his part. In read
ing them time passes away during his
absence" Then there is Mr.. Bland
/ said to myself
81 expect Mr.. Bland will be here in
a few days. l hope you will like
him. He is great fisherman. Now,
notice you carry Il fishing-pole to the
water-side every morning and bring
back nothing. My husband has sent
his fishing tackle down, so if you want
hooks or lines l can spare you some.
You come here every season, do you
not?"
mo; this is the first time in my life.
Good morning, Mrs. Bland, and thanks
for your offer"