The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-04-22
NEW B1ooArF1I1D, p TUESDAY

poor wife and five young children are
living in two pair back In Camden
town, sustaining miserable existence
on the scanty remains of the stock-in-
trade.''
A horrible misgiying crossed my
mind, and shut up Chitty.
81 thought mean to say suppos-
ed really don't quite see, then, in
what way can be of service in the case,
Mr. Ward"
"Well, you see, sir, Mr.. Virgins told
me as you was an uncommon kind
hearted gentleman, so 1 made bold to
call and ask if you would put down
your name for trife for the widow
and orphans-not that Mrs. p. is precise
ly widow, nor yet the children exactly
orphans, but rather worse, If anything,
in my opinion"
l was fairly caught. Not for worlds
would 1 have let Mr.. Ward know that
had been laboring under misapprehen-
sion, and had been mentally welcoming
him as my first client. On tne other
hand, after, the extreme interest / had
exhibited in the case, could not do less
than give him a handsome donation.
Smiling amiably, but inwardly breath
ing the most awful imprecations against
Virgins land very nearly vowing, on
the spur of the moment, never to have
hair cut again as long as live.) L ex-
pressed my extreme qualification at
having the opportunity of contributing
sovereign to the necessities of the
Podgers family. Mr.. Ward beamed with
delight, and pressed my acceptance of
his card, assuring me that, if should at
any time require anything in his line,
it would be his most earnest endeavor-
these words, by the way, he apparently
spelt with an h to give me satisfaction.
He insisted in shaking hands at parting,
and appeared to find considerable diff
Guilty in tearing himself away. AT last,
however, he departed, leaving me still
holding his card whereon 1 read: Crib.
bins & Ward, Greengrocers, 1876 High
street, Bloomsbury. Evening parties
attended.
My absorbing thought, as soon as L
could think at all, was how on earth to
conceal the facts from Armitage
| possible fiction to invent which should
save my dignity from exposure of the
horrible truth. What dreadful falsehood
1 might ultimately have given birth to
/ Icannot say, for was saved from the
ordeal by hearing burst, or rather a
succession of bursts, of frantic laughter
from the room to which Armitage had
retired. 1 pushed the door which yield
ed to my touch. My worst fears were
realized He knew all He was lying
upon the bed, his feet considerable above
his head, examining a pocket -handker-
chief in his mouth, and every now and
then breaking out afresh into peal of
maniac laughter.
"Well, Brown, old boy, l hope you
have given the new client good, sound
legal opinion. 0 dear, my poor sides J
Where shall we have the dinner, eh, old
man ?'
"Come, Frank, :" 1 said addressing him
more in sorrow than in anger, ''don't be
adding insult to injury. You've had
the door ajar, you scoundrel; SO
needn't tell you any particulars. But
at any rate promise to keep my secret. !"
''I'll be hanged if do old boy; the
joke is great deal too good to Keep to
myself. How about 'Chitty on Con
tracts and Is Wesson and Welsby !!
Oh, you old imposterl I'll be hanged if
don't tell the story to every fellow
meet"
So for fear that the facts should be
misrepresented L hate misrepresenta-
toni determined to tell it myself.