The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-06-14
A QUIET DAY IN THE COUNTRY.

Don't you love quiet day? do; no man
loves it more. Being ola nervous tempera-
ment, hate noises, excitement, and con-
fusion at all times The buzzing OF fly
will sometimes keep me awake whole night.
Imagine them if you can, how much de-
test, abominate, and abhor the frightful
racket of public holiday.
On the 2nd of last July received from
my friend Upton Tottles Cknow Tip? Jolly
felow-fond of the girls great ilirD the
following note -
My DEAR OLD CHUB" Il may remark
that my name is Augustus Grecnway but
being short and fat, everybody calls me
"Chubby"): -"Come out for a quiet day.
Not boy within five miles. Claret-punch
and cigars. at. T."
Tips place is pretty and picturesque cot
tage, about half mile from the station,
quiet and secluded and not neighbor with
in sight. II met me at the train. He had
a hand bag, and looked anxious.
"Go up to the house, Chub," he said, Civ
ing me the key. "Make yourself at home.
There's nobody there, and you'll have it as
calm and peaceful as a sarcophagus. You'll
find the punch already made, and plenty
of other fluids, and lots of cigars, and an
enormous pigeon-pie in the cup board for
your dinner; so you can enjoy yourself just
in the way you like"
"But where are you going?" l asked,
when l could get word in.
Well, am called away unexpectedly ;
but III be back just as soon as l can. All !
here comes the other train now" he said,
seizing my hand as the whistle blew, and
the mocolotive-I mean locomotive-came
in sight. "Au reror. You'll have a jolly
day of it, all alone. By Jovc, envy you!''
Five minutes afterwards he was gone from
my gaze, and was trudging through the
sun and dust towards clark Cottage" as
Tip called his place, although there were
never any larks there, except-but, dare
say, you know the kind.
1t tcaS cosy and secluded, and no mistake
There was not living thing about, and nc
habitation within sight, except one, which
was apparently a considerable distance of,
and only glimpse OF which through the
woods was visible; so when unlocked the
door Of Tips rustic retreat, felt monarch
of all surveyed, and even more and eX'
perienced a thrill Of delightful anticipation
at the placid day before me.
First of all, tried the claret-punch ii
was capital. Then throwing off my coat tc
indulge in the luxury of shirt-slceves, and
lighting a cigar, took the arm chair out OIL
the back porch, and placing my feet on the
railing, drew a novel from the brown paper
in which it was enveloped.
Perhaps it is because take so much ex
citement in book form chat l have such {
horror of it in reality. This work was by
my favorite author, and was vividly EMIT
led, "The Fiend of the Forest; or, The Yam
pire of the Valley" and yet, notwithstand
ing the delightful absorption in its pages
was sure of, hesitated to begin it. Th'
scene around me was so calm-so exquis
itely peacelul-that preferred 10 SIT still
and dream over it.
In the midst of this intoxicating reverie,
suddenly felt cold hand on my shoulder.
sprang up. Was it spectre? Ifso, i
was lovely one, for beautiful young lad,
with clasped hands and pleading eyes, stool
there. At sight of me she shrieked-
at is not he Alas, it is not he~
"No, maam, it's me-" said l, forgettini
my grammar in the surprise. (Which wa.
did you get in | beg pardon," stammered
for never had seen any one half so be
witching-"although we-we-never me
before, don't think recognize you"
"I am Miss Nina Travers, Of the Oaks
the house you see through the trees there
and have braved thousand risks" sh
continued, hurredly, "to come here, in tn
expectation of seeing Mr.. Upton Tottlos.
implore you to tell me where he is"
"would l could, angelic being!" ex
claimed /, breaking into poetic veiu-per
haps it was the claret "but it is hopeless
He has gone away, and won't be back 70
ever so long. Will you take a drink
mean a seat7"
And l offered her my easy-chair.
"No, no. There is not time-is is alrea6.,
to late, and shall be ruined ~ she cried
distractedly, wringing her lovely hand'
"oh, if could only feel safe in confding il
you, possible mightyet be saved"
" You might indeed"
"Then listen she said in an intense whis
per- "a few months ago, a giddy an
thoughtless girl, although engaged to oil
General Boomerang, one of the most dis
tinguished officers OF the army, | foolishl
exchanged love-letters with Mr.. Upton Tot
ties. The general has arrived, and we ar
to be married to-morrow-all unexpected
YOU see-and the consequences may be ofth
most fatal character If do not recover M
letters at once. The general is as jealous a
Turk-a duellist-aud would kill Instant
upon the slightest ofiense." mentally too
an oath that, in spite Of my own fiery TEN
per, never would allow myself TO often
the general upon any account.
"Well," said /, "Miss Tnvers, nothin
would make me happier than to restore you
letters; if | had themi but have not, an
don't know where they are"
81 have reason to believe that they al
concealed somewhere in this house. I'll
general has taken my dog Fox and gone OF
! shooting this morning, and his absenc
furnishes the only opportunity shall ha'
tor a search"
She had scarcely spoken, when suddenl