The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-01-28
A CURIOUS COURTSHIP.

was Maggie Barton, and for the fun Of
the thing she concluded to answer 1t,
and here Is what she had replied to:
Marriage. = The great astrologer,
Slgnor Morgani, will return correct
likeness of your future partner upon
receipt of thirty stamps. Name, age,
and sex must be given, with q slight
description of personal appearance
Address Signor Morgani, &C., d."
"And this is your advertisement,
Morgan Y All well Il suspect your
dupes are principally old maids and
school girls.n
The speaker handsome young man
about five and twenty, threw down the
local paper with merry peal of laugh
ter.
The person addressed, known In the
advertising column as Signor Morgani,
was no other than certain plain
Tom Morgan, regular slip-shod,
careless fellow, who after trying his
hand at various trades, and falling In
all, had finally hit upon theabove mode,
which gratifled his indolent disposition,
by calling forth little exertion save the
exercise of that literary ingenuity of
which he possessed a large share. He
had formerly been school friend of
Jack Carleton's, who, an hour or two
before the opening of this story, had
fallen in with him on his return from
prolonged Continental tour, undertaken
nominally for the benefit of his health,
but more possibly to help to get rid of
the large income left him by his father.
The young men grasped hands cordl-
ally enough when they recognized each
other, and soon after adjourned to the
lodgings of Morgan to have talk over
old times.
1t was during this talk that Morgan
conflded to his friend his present mode
of living, with strict injunctions to
keep it profound secret; I" as of course
you see, old fellow" he said, cit might
prove my ruin if known"
"You were always good-for nothing
scamp, Tom,'' said Jack. "And you
were always lucky dog, jack return
ed Tom. "By the way, what are you 60
ing to do with yourself this Christmasp"
"Why to spend it in jolly style,a the
jolliest place in Christendom," replied
Jack. "They have'not seen me at Bar
by Holt for eight years, and ] expect
grandmother and the rest of them will
go mad with joy when make my sud
den appearance there"
NN;tl, fl;a aattaripu cono nolucinn Mr.
Jack Carleton, elevated his legs till his
feet reposed on the mantel piece.
''Barby Holt Manor in Nottingham
shire?' inquired the Signor, suddenly.
"The very same, old boy" said his
companion. Why do you ask 20
"Only that had letter from there
to-day" replied Tom.
IA letter what about ?" inquired
Jack, with innocent GOODNESS.
"Why concerning my advertisement
of COURSE" answered Tom, rummaging
among some papers.
"Ah, one of my grandfather's guests
suppose, in for lark" said Jack.
whats his namep"
IL 10 nOO Lluu, iCpiiCu lOni, ohc
signs herself Maggie Barton"
"Maggie Bartonl" exclaimed Jack
81 know her-at least did. May read
it ?" he asked, eagerly.
1t was short letter, in girlish hand
writing, describing herself as tall and
slight, with golden hair and hazel eyes,
and requesting, to be favored with a
cdrte-d de-Uisite of her future husband, by
return of post, of course. Enclosed in
the envelope was the fee of thirty
stamps.
Carleton held the letter up before his
eyes long after he had read it.
Morgan, he said suddenly, twill you
do me favor?"
Anything you like,' replied the Sig
nor, in preoccupied tone.
Jack drew an envelope from his pock-
ct and selecting one likeness of himself
from about dozen, he laid it on the
table.
Morgan" said he, 81 want you to
send this to Miss Barton, in answer to
her application, and mean it shall come
true, old boy"
1t was Christmas Eve, and Miss Mag
gle Barton wab putting the last touches
to her evening toilette for the forthcom-
ing ball.
She dismissed her maid, and, with her
pretty head little on one side, was try
;,on. 4hr 81 aou.lAk