The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-07-08

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gifts of six pence, and three or four of
more. She noticed, too, that the parlor
window of the house before which she
stood had just been gently raised few
inches, as if to enable its occupants to
hear more distinctly and this gave her
hope of somewhat larger contribu-
tion.
And at this moment, although she
knew it not, came the crisis of her fate
The door opened, and a pleasant look
ing old servant in brown livery came up
to her, with request to walk in, as his
master wished to speak to her.
Much to the disappointment of her
small audience, who had hoped to hear
at least another song, she, after mo-
ment's hesitation, followed him and was
ushered into the back parlor, where she
found two gentleman evidently waiting
to receive her.
One of them was a rather short, some
what gray headed, spruce, dapper little
man who wore (even them old fashion
ed drab-colored knee-breeches, and long
CATERS to match. He spoke, for the
most part, through his nose, with de-
cided shuttle.
The other was taller and dressed in
black, in much more modern fash
ion. He was remarkably thin, had high
cheek bones, the flesh of which had
fallen in, and, with his prominent Ro-
man nose and pale face, this gave him
o melancholy and almost unearthly as
pect. His eyes also were unnaturally
bright, and altogether he looked, alas
as If destined for an early grave.
"H'm !" said the little gentleman in
the drab breeches and CATERS, eyeing her
narrowly through his gold spectacles,
taking an enormous pinch of snuff from
large silver box which he unearthed
from his waistcoat pocket, "h'm ! sit
down, please"
Thank you, sir" said Bertha, sit
ting down, and placing her guitar on
the table beside her.
HIM ~ said he, taking another enor-
nous pinch of snuff, and peering at her
through his gold spectacles more closely
than ever" you sing very well-too well
for strolling street singer but how
came you to single my house out, of all
the thousands of houses in London, for
a display of your vocal capabilities p
HIM !"
Sir, came into this street by the
merest chance. L know nothing of you,
or your house and as from your man.
ner L cannot but conclude that my sing
ing has been distasteful to you, will
relieve you of my presence, and depend
upon it, L will not come near your
house again ~ and so saying, she rose,
took up her guitar, and turned to de-
part.
H'm!" this was more satisfac-
tory grunt, but there was still strong
flavor of doubt in it.) "Stay, stay my
good girl; 1 did not mean to offend you :
but, still, are you quite sure that you
didn' know who lived here?
"Quite sure, sir 1 don't think that L
was ever in this street before in my
life."
"H'm!''
Salts faction increasing greatly.
I" You are not an English girl ~
"My mother was English my father
is German"
"H'mp
This was long, thoughtful grunt.
" You have been taught to sing ?'
81 have, sir.''
"Who taught you ?"
" My father, sir.'
els he musician ?"
g He is, SIR"
g A singer"
:" Not public singer, sir"
"What then ~
" A professor of the violin and piano
forte"
Him "
A still more satisfactory grunt.
"And you play the piano 2"
I-wellr yes-I may venture to say
that do.''
"Very well, there's an instrument
over there; will you oblige me by let
ting us hear you Y''
Ct cannot decline, sir"
The tide was running rapidly, and 1t
looked amazingly like fine weather =
for the little dapper man rose up with
embarrassment, opened splendid