The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-06-25

4
look ND from my paper or rise from my
seat a musical voice accosted me with.
good morning, uncle; here is your but
ton-hole."
l started up in no little surprise at
this greeting, which was evidently not
intended fer me; and there stood before
me fairy-like maiden of some sixteen
summers, her crown hair falling loosely |
from a daintily- shaped head; her cheeks
aglow with the healthy morning air she
had been enjoying, and deepened, too.
by rosy blush, when she discovered
her greeting had been unwittingly adj
dressed to a stranger. She was stand
ing before me, holding out the little
knot of flowers destined for her uncle's
utton-hole-how envied her nncle!-
a very picture of health and life and
happiness and beauty. Her expression
of unrestrained enjoyment had changed
in moment to one of embarrassment
and dismay, mingled with CLEAN OF
amusement in her bright eyes as the
humor of the awkward situation we
were in broke upon her. An instanta-
neous mutual agreement seemed to flash
between us. We both broke into q
merry little laugh.
In few moments we were chatting
away like old friends. l fancied my
fairy seemed to be actually pleased
when l announced that / was going to
stay for breakfast; and had almost
summoned up courage to ask her to
present me in reality with the flowers
she had undesignedly offered to me.
when the entrance of the servant with
the completing dishes for the breakfast
table served as an excuse for her to
leave the room.
She had scarcely gone through the
door, when l heard again the greeting
GOOD morning, UNCLE" followed this
time by an unmistakable sound. which
made me long more than ever to be that
girls uncle. The door opened once
more. 1 stepped forward to meet my
employer, but suddenly paused, as
tall gentleman entered the room whom
had never seen before in my life.
He stood looking inquiringly at me
after sharp "good morning" was
too embarrassed to make any response.
My first thought was: HE is some
visitor" but in a few moments the
awful truth dawned across my mind,
that this was in reality the owner of the
house l was in and that by some means
or other had got intosshe wrong one.
The situation was tremendous. | am
naturally a cool character; but was so
taken by surprise and chagrin, that /
could only muttersome confused apology
about having been invited to breakfast
by Mr.. Robertson; that l humbly apollo
gized for my intrusion and hoped he
would pardon it. So speaking, l made
a frantic dash at my hat, maddened at
my stupidity, at the loss of my break
fast, and still more at the thought of
never seeing or speaking again to that
charming little lady, who in less than
five minutes found Twas absolutely in
| love with!
| l said a hurried "good morning"
and was trying to make a CHASTITY at
i tempt at a smile as l left the room
when' Wild You believe it? That tall,
dark man burst uut i-t>>. a loud laugh.
felt ready to knock him down. /
knew how my stupidity would be gay.
ly discussed at the breakfast table, be-
fore her and felt my discontinue and
humiliation deeply; but this open mer.
riment at my expense maddened me.
;. A strange calm succeeded this storm.
1t was caused by some words uttered
by my tormentor. "You really must
forgive me; I could not refrain from
laughing. My name is Robinson. You
friend, Mr.. Robertson. lives in one o.
the other houses. We frequently get
parcels and letters and even callers
coming to the wrong house; but in al
my experience, we have never had 81
amusing mistake so early in the day
as this one.'
Now, this explanation toned dowr
my anger considerably; but the words
which followed were like balm to m,
, troubled heart. s.Mr. Robertson viii
have finished breakfast by now. lean
, not think OF allowing you to go. Dc
me the favor of remaining here ant
{ breakfasting with us this morning. ;
/ So saying. he took my hat out of my
hand and led me into the room again
OF course, it did not need much persua
! sion to make me stop. Two minutes
: before had been ready to knock thi
man over; now thought him the kind
est and most considerable fellow in tn
, world.
Of course the breakfast was delight
: full. Il found Mr.. Robinson and his wifi
sensible, genial, kind-hearted people.
[ | found their niece even more sensible
more genial and kind-hearted than the,
/ were; and when, after breakfast, &C
companied her and Mr.. Robinson int
their pretty flower garden, and receives
from her a rosebud for my button-hole
q which kept for some years afterward
. When saying goodbye, l was perplexe'
r by thinking how should see her again
s it must be contrived somehow, l men
e tally resolved. Upon returning to tow
. l lost no time in explaining the situa
4 ton to my worthy employer, Mr.. Rot
a ertson, who rallied me good-naturedl
s upon my mistake and upon what tn
, consequences might be! Next week
: was invited to picnic at Mr.. Robin
Q sons, and went not only to it but like
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