The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-03-05
Select Story.
4 MUNICIPAL N0SEGAY.

A royal visit was promised t) Mistbor-
ough, aud when the notification to that eff
feet reached the Mayor he summoned the
Town Council to deliberate in the usual
way un the sort Of festivities that should be
provided. The occasion of the royal visit
was to be the unyeiling Of a statue erected
TO Alderman Nobuddy a departed worthy
of hc,town, and the Council soon agreed to
furnish banquet, n procession with volun-
teer bands, an address on Illuminated vel
lum, and some speeches. Then came the
question of gifts. a large album full OF
Photographic views Of Mstborough seemed
the most appropriate pres,n; and, of course,
there would have to be 4 bouquet. But VINO
should tender this last yferin?
Mr.. Mayor Weeker happened to be the
only unmarried member Of the corporation,
wherefore Alderman Gabbs, who was a face
tious fellow and the father Of three buxonl
daughters, said je,tiugly; 81 vote that
Wheeker be appointed to select the pretti-
est girl in Mistborough, and she shall give
the bUokey."
Il don't see what prettiness has to do
with such matter" demonstrated Alder
man Scrutile, virtuous but morOse person,
who was the father of four plain virgins.
We'll, Wheeker shall select the ugliest
girl in the town, them said the funny Al
derman Gabbs, and he winked, laughing at
all his brother Councillors, one of whom
suggested, however, that his worShip's
choice need not be limited to damses. Let
us give Wheeker carte Blanche said he;
if he pitches upon pretty or an ugly mar
ried woman rather than upon girl, let him
have his own way. He is a fine judge OF
the sex, is Wheeker.
'What makes you think that Puttson?'
asked the Mayor mildly, tor he was placid
sort of man who had no very keen eye for
jokes.
'Why, because you've remained single,
responded Puttison, amid general merri-
ment
'Ol, but they say Wheeker is a bit sweet
on the young woman who sits behind the
counter at Jamme's, the pastry cooks's, re-
piled Alderman Gahbs, with new wink.
Whats her name, Wheeker? Out with it.
She's too pretty to be ashamed Of
i really don't know what you mean,
said poor Wheekcr, reldening up to the
ridge of his ears.
on we mean Daisy Belfast, who mods to
you every time you pass up High street,
said Puttison, greatly enjoying the Mayor
disc7mhture Why, Wheeker, I've seen
you eating bath buns at Jamme's shop Al
least three times within the past week, and
we know you can't bear pastry, for you
never eat any when You dine with one
ofuS.'
Unfortunately for Mr. Whoeker, it soor
GOT to BE- known in the town that he had
been deputed to act as an arbiter puIcharum
aud many ladies, both single and married
began to pay their courts to him with a view
to being selected for presenting the boquet
Mr Wheeker soon began to think that i
would be more prudent to offer twenty nose
gays to the Royal Princess instead of one
in order that nobody might be offended bul
his opinion was not shared by the Tow
Council The Mayor was exhorted with
pertinacity, half serious, Aall-comical t.
do his duty in choosing the fittest, and b
failed to get any assistance from MS brothe
| Councillors for each of them, being married
felt some delicacy in recommending q lad
from inside of his family circle or oulsid
of it.
| There was another roar at .hi,, and Nj
| Wheeker looked As guilty as tom cat VIII
had been caught near a cream jug. But, i
sum, the Mayor was such a good tello,
that his brethren were 10th to press thei
| Jokes too hard on him. Every man, ex
cept the morose Scrullle, slapped him o.
the back in passing, and bade HIM do hi
best in selecting a young lady who shou
do honor to Mistborough. Mr.. Wheeke
| groaued inwardly, for he much disliked thi
task, which laid upon him larger respon
| siDility than he ever cared to assume spon
taueously in his public or private relation,
II he could have furlively voted as t
who was the loyeliest representative of girl
hood in Misrborough, he would certainl
have given his suffrage to Miss Daisy Bel
fast, but after this unseemly jesting abou
the girl, he did not dare. Besides, Nj
Wheeker had not yet made up his mind a
to whether he would care to marry Nj,
Belfast, and he was also by no means sur
Of that young lady's sentiments towar
himself
In the midst of these perplexities NJ
| Wheeker was one sunday accosted as i
was coming out of church. by Mrs Bube
ry the comely wife of Colonel Bulberr,
a retired military Tartar, This lady W.
'iust past the prime Of life-saY thirty-fye