Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-14
Bachelors Luck.

"Who is living IN Swans house SEE
it is occupied" SAID Mr.. Tartuffe to his
servant.
ga Mr.. Ernest Simpson, and his wife
and mother. He is just married, L believe,
was the reply.
Strange, he muttered, ''that | should
come home to find them here OF all places
in the world. knew this morning that
the young fellow NUT be in some way
connected with Ernest Simpson. The like
ness is unmistakable. There comes a wO-
man now. | wonder if it can be his moth
er?"
A large woman with fresh-colored face
and with bundle on her arm entered the
gate and hurried up the walk with the all
of one very much at home.
"Yes, it must be she; yet who could
have believed that Sophie Martyr would
become such great, blowsy creature ?
twenty-five years work great changes"
The fact was, it was Mrs, Simpson s
dsess; but how was Mr. Tartuffe to know
that For five years he had been travel
ing after fashion of his own. Five years
had wrought great changes. Of his old
friends and associates some were dead,
others moved away, and the rest were SO
immersed in business, so interested in their
own particular pursuits, that they had little
time or thought to spare for him.
It's like coming back from the dead to
fiHd ones place filled and ones self forgot
ten," he said sadly. And now to all the
rest was added the unewelcome discovery
that the wife and son of Ernest Simpson,
the man WHO had done HIM cruel wrong
and marred his life, were living next door
to him. Some time he stood at the window
drumming softly upon the pane and look
ing idly out; suddenly his face lighted
up.
That's an idea; I'll do it. Forsyth will
jump at the chance, we no doubt"
Whatever the idea was, he Immediately
proceeded to put it into execution, A few
minues later he left the house and took his
way down town.
"Why, good moring, Tartuffe. Glad tC
see you; sit down;Fll be at leisure in few
minutes"
When the busy lawyer was at last able
te pay some attention to his visitors, Mr.
Tartuffe began without preliminary
''Forsyth, have been thinking over what
yon said yesterday, a4d have proposition
to make. Suppose we make an exchange.
''Make an exchange 2" repeated the puz
zled lawyer.
"Yes; you can take my house and take
yours, for year. Your family are desir,
GUS of coming to town. and | want to leave
it. Take the house as they stand. 1t will
save the bother of my moving"
"Well," mused Mr.. Forsyth, "that's an
idea. certainly, and it strikes me favorably,
but must consult my wifes first, of course
Why do you wish to leave town, though 3
you've just got here. You ought to ge
married, and settle down quietly"
'Get married." repeated the other, with
an expression of scorn; ''what woman
would have an old man like me, except fol-
his money!"
''Old man, indeed" exclaimed Mr.. For
syth: 'why, you're just in the prime OF
life, and there isn't young man in the
city who can boast more splendid phys
ique. Besides, you need not marry school
girl, you know. know just the woman
fol. you, about your own age, a widow
with one sOD."
"The idea of my marrying a widow y
! calculated Mr.. Tartuffe in silent wrath a.
he took his way homeward.
AS he assembled the steps, the red-faceC
dressmaller seated by the window in Mrs
Simpsons room, exclaimed: There goes
Mr.. Tartuffe!n
'W hat did you say his name was 2" sale
Mrs. Simpson rather eagerly.
''Simon 1artuffe. He's rich old bach
| You had better set your cap at him. Blu
Pm afraid 'tweuldn'C do no good, for they
do say he's woman-hater."
Mrs. Simpson made no reply, but resumed
her work with thoughtful face.
'Moti er, here is letter tor you," saiC
Ernest's wife, enter ng the room. Mrs
Simpson read the few lines it contained, ant
| then said: Aunt Elizabeth is i'll; an attacl
similar to the one she had three years ago
and she wants me to come and stay witt
her,"
oh, dear. how sorry am !" exclaimed
| Jennie, Il don't know what we shall d.
without you.
One afternoon, q fortnight later, MIR. Tar
tuffe &lghted from the train at Brierdal
station, and without stopping, took hi
way up the village street to his new home
For the next few day he fairly lived out o
doors, exploring the country for mile
round, walking, driving, fishing and boat
ing. One afternoon, toward sunset, as h
lay stretched at full length under tree a
the brink of the river, the sound of oar
attracted his attention, and looking up h
saw small boat coming rapidly towar
him. 1t was propelled by two ladies, on
of them evidently young girl yet in he
teens; the other, spIendidly develope
and still very handsome woman.
| SCTNI,cro oo,>,oc QoI h;c o,.rxy oo,,e;