Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-12-09
scELLANEo US.
THE BACHELORS SURPRISE.

IA CHILL December evening, with the rain
gS and snow forming disagreeable sort of
conglomeration on tho sidewalks. the gas
lamps at the corner Pickering sullenly
through the mist, and the wind taking one
viciously as one came around the corner
Not pleasant evening to assume possession
of new home; but necessity knows no law,
and Mr.. Bsrkdale put up his night>key into
the red brick house in the middle of the
block, sincerely hoping that his new land
lady would have common sense enough to
light a FIRE in the CRATE.
sis it you, sir2" Mrs. Hinmau quoth,
~becomingly. :fheTe 5 . good tire, aad les
all right"
can right, CHI" said the bachelor, feeling
the blue tip of his frosted nose to see whether
it had escaped being frozen of entirely.
"Well, l nm glad to hear that. Have the
trunks Gomez"
: "Oh, yes, sir, and the othor things"
"What other thiugs?" demanded Mr..
Barkdale.
But Mrs. Hinman pursed her lips up. ''I
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 eolemnly en-
gagged the day before.
1t had been rather a dark and dingy little
den by the light of the moon; but now, soft
ened by the coral shine of well. filled CRATE,
it wore quite another and much brighter
aspect.
"Velvet paper on the walls, gilt paneling,
red carpet, and sleepy hollow chair" thought
Mr.. Barkdale. glancing around. "Not SO
uncomfortable, after all. When / get my
things unpacked, it will seem quite homes
like"
ua sa+ 5ow, h;s r,I;ea :, ,bo ao-.o- H.
libcrately opened it, took out pair of slip,
pers, and invested his tired feet therein.
Next he laid off was his overcoat.
CHOW for a cigar" thought he.
But the brown-layered weed was yet in
bis hand, when there was a hustle and
futter, and whisper, and n merry noise on
the landing outside, aud the door few open
as if by magic, to admit q half dozen blooms
ing girls.
Mr. Barkdale dropped his cigar and re-
treated a step or two.
Don't be alarmed, " said the tallest and
prettiest of the bevy, F'it's only a surprise"
"a very agreeable one, I'm sure" said
our friend, recovering in some degree his
presence of mind.
"There's no mistake, hope," said yell
low-tressed blonde. "YOur name is Mott
Greenfeld?"
"No mistake at all, assure you," said
Mr.. BaTkdale. "Of course it is not Green
field Sit down, ladies'"
And be pushed forward the sleepy hollow
chair, camp stool and two rheumatic re-
ception chairs, which were all the accommo-
dation presented by his department
But, instead of accepting his courtesy, the
girls all futtered out again, giggling, and in
a second, before he could realize the strange
condition of affairs, they were back again,
bearing benches and a tablecloth, dishes, bo.
quets, a pyramid of macearonies, piled up
plates of sandwiches, of frosted cake, and
mysterious something like unto an icecream
freezer.
THE gOlden>tressed girl clapped her
hands
You needu't think we are doing all this
for you, sir" said she.
"Oh," said Mr. Barkdale bashfuIly, t'I-
I-hadn't any such impression"
Its all q surprise designed for Ksts's
cousin"
'sIs it2" said Mr.. Barkdals, more in the
dark than ever.
"Apd how do you suppose we found il
out?" demanded the tall girl with the black
eyes and scarlet feather in her hat.
"I;haven't the least idea"
ttWe found your letter to Kate. and We
| girls read It, and We resolved to take you and
her both by surprise She Is TO be mere IN
half an hour. Barbara-that is Barbara Nor
ris, IN the meriDo Dress" with turn Of her
long -lashes toward the golden-haired girl,
..pretends that she has moved here.snd Kate
is to come and spend the evening with Bar
bara. Won't it be joker!
.'stupepdousw said our hero. gradually
beginning to comprehend the fact that he