The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-21

window, so | took that up, just to pass
away the time, and was soon listlessly pc
rusing the advertisements. had not been
sitting thus above minute or two, when
heard slight rustling, as Of a lady's dress;
simultaneously came three or four light
footsteps through the window into the
room, and before could look. up from my
paper, or rise from my seat, musical
voice accosted me with "Good morning, un-
clej here is your buttonhole bouquet"
started up in no little surprise at this
greeting, which was evidently not intended
for mel and there stood before me a fairy
| like maiden of some sixteen summers, her
brown hair falling loosely from 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 un-
Willingly addressed to a stranger. She was
standing before me, holding out the little
knot of flowers destined for her uncle's but
tonhole--how envied her uncle "a very
picture of life and health and happiness.
Her expsession Of unrestrained enjoyment
had changed in a moment to one of embsr
rassment and dismay, mingled with gleam
Of amusement in her bright eyes as the hui
n.or of the awkward situation we were in
broke upon her. An instantaneous mutual
agreement seemed to flash between us. We
both broke into merry little Taught and
have often wondered what would havo hap
pened if we had not adopted this course; if
for instance, The young lady had passed on
with dignifed coldness, and simple apol-
oges and bows had passed between us
Our sudden introduction was, however, not
destined to haye this sudden ending. In a
few moments we were chatting away like
old friends. fancied my fairy seemed to
be actually pleased when announced that
| was going to stay to breakfast; and l 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 complet-
ing dishes for the breskiast,iable 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, unule," followed this time by an
unmistakabe sound, which made me long
more than ever to be that girls uncle The
door opened once more. l 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
a sharp GOOD morning" | was too EN-
barrassed TO make any response. My first
thought was: "He is some visitor" but in
few moments the ewful truth dawned
across my mind that this was in reality the
owner of the house was in, and that by
some means or other l bad got into the
wrong one. The situation was tremendous.
am naturally cool character; but l was
so taken by surprise and chagrn, that l
could only mutter some confused apology
about having been invited TO breakfast by
Mr.. Robertson; that had been directed to
this house by some miserable understand
ingi that l humbly apologized for my in
trusion, and hoped he would pardon it. 80
speaking made frantic dash at my hat,
maddened at my stupidity, at the loss OF
my breakfast, and at the thought Of never
seeing or speaking again to that charming
little lady, who, in less than five minutes,
had found was absurdly in love with
l said hurried "good morning" and
was trying to make ghastly attempt at
smile as left the room-when, would you
believe it2 that tall, dark man burst out
into loud laugh. felt ready to knock
him down. l knew how my stupidity
would be gayly discussed at that breakfast
table before 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.
My name is Robinson. Your friend Mr..
Robertson lives in one of the other houses.
We frequently get parcels and letters. and
even callers coming to the wrong house,
but in all my experience we have never
had so amusing a mistake SO early in the
day as this one"
Now this explanation toned down my
anger considerably, but the words which
followed were like balm to my troubled
heart. "Mr. Robertson will have finished
breakfast by now. ! cannot think ofallow-
ing you tog go. Do me the favor Of remaining
here and breakfasting with us this morn
ing" So saying he took my hat out of my
hand and led me into the room again. Of
course it did not need much persuasion to
make mo stop. Two minutes before had
been ready to knock this man overi now
thought him the most kind and considerate
fellow in the world.
OF coure the breakfast was delightful. /
found Mr.. Robinson and his wife sensible,
genial, kind-hearted people. / found their
niece even more sensible, more genial, more
kind hearted than they were, and when,
after breakfast, | accompanied her and Mr..
Robinson into their pretty flower garden ]
received from her rosebud for my button
hole, which l kept for some years after
ward. When saying goodbye was per-
picked by thinking how should manage
to see her again. it must be contrived some
how mentally resolved. Upon returning
to town lost no time in explaining the
situation" to my worthy employer, Mr.
Robertson, who rallied me good naturedly
upon the mistake, and what the eonse-
quences might be Next week was in
vited to a picnic at Mr.. Robinsons, and
went not only to it, but likewise to Mr.. Ro-
binson's house again and again before his
niece returned to her home.
Four years have passed since that invita-
ton TO breakfast was given me, and that
"fairylike girl" is now my wife. The local
milkman, bl sss him, got handsome "tip"
upon our wedding day.
7a--l--
What men call accident is Gods own
part.
-Afiction, like the iron smith shapes as