The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-04-18
Select Story.
THE BACHELORS SURPRISE.

4 chill December evening with the rain
and snow forming a dmagroeable sort of
conglomerstion o. the sidewalks, the gas
lamps at the corner Aickering sulleuly
through the mist and the wind taking one
vciously as one came around the corner.
Not pleasant evening to assume possess
ion of q new home but necessity knows no
law, and Mr. Barkdale put his night-key
into the red brick house in the middle of
the block, sincerely hoping that his new
landlady would have common sense to light
fire in the crate,
IS it you, sir?' Mrs, Hiuman quoth,
beamiugy. There's good fire, and its
all right
All right, eh . said the bachelor, feeling
the blue tip of his irostred nose to see
whether it had escaped being frozen off en-
tirely. well, 1 am glad to hear that.
Have the trunks come p
'Ob, yes, sir and the other things 2
'What other things?' demanded Mr.,
BlrkdaIe.
But Mrs iIinman pursed her lips up.
Il wasn't to tell, sir, please
Rather an eccentric old lady thought
Mr.. Barkdale, pushing past her to the third
story front room, which he had solemnly en-
gagged the day before.
1t had been rather q dark and dingy lit
tie den by the light of the moon, but nov,
sottened by the coral shine of well filled
CRATE, it wore quite another aud brighter
aspect.
Velvet paper on the walls, gilt paneIng,
red carpet and Sleepy Hollow chair
thought Mr. Barkdae glancing around
Not SO uncomfortable, after all. When
get my things unpacked it will seem quite
homeIike'
He set down his valise in the corner, de-.
iberately opened it, took out pair of slip
pers and invested his tired feet therein.
Next he laid Off his overcoat,
Now for a cigar, thought he.
But the brown.layered weed was yet in
his hand when there was a hustle, and a
hutter and a whisper and a merry noise
on the landing outside, and the door flew
open, as if by magic, to admit half a dozen
blooming, laughing girls.
Mr.. Barkdalo dropped his cigar and re-
treated step or two.
Don't be alarmed said the tallest and
the prettiest of the bevy it's only sur
prise
a very agreeable one, I'm sure said our
friend, recovering in some degree his pres
ence of mind.
There's no mistake, hope, said yellow
tressed blonde. Your name is not Green
field ?
No mistake at all, I assure you,' said
Mr.. Barkdale. OF course it is not Green
field. Sit down, ladies'
And he pushed forward the Sleepy Hollow
chaira camp-stool and two rheumatic recep
ton chairs, which were all the accommoda
tions presented by his apartment.
But instead of accepting his courtesy III,
girls all huttered out utagaiu, giggling, and il
a second before he could realize his strang
condition Of affairs, they were back again
bearing benches and table cloth, dishes
boquets, pyramid of macaronies, piled u
plates of Sandwiches, of frosted cake and
mysterious something like unto an ice-crean
freezer.
The golden,tressod girl clapped he
hands,
you needn't think we are doing this 70
, you, SIR she said.
Oh said Mr., Barkdale, bashfully, L
hadn't any such impression
It's all a surprise designed for Kate
cousin
Is III? said Mr., Garkdale, more in tn
t dark than ever,
g And how do you suppose we found it a
T out p demanded the tall girl with tn
black eyes and scarlet feathers in he
/, hat
Il haven't the least idea,'
'We found your letter to Kate, and W
girls read it, and we resolved to take bot
you and her by surprise. She is to be hel
in half an hour. Barbara that is Barbal
Morris in the blue merino dress, with tur
Of her long lashes toward the golden hairC
gir-'pretends that she has moved here, an
Kate is to come and spend the evening vii
Barbara Won't it be a good joker