The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-16
1I1w BLOOMFIELD, PA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1881

attributed to the cause which he assign
ed, namely, a pressure of business. The
latter she did not observe her mind be-
ing preoccupied. We, who are in the
secret, may take the liberty of follow
ing him on one of his business calls. 1t
was at neat cottage, from whose front
door dangled an immense knocker, that
Philip Manson, knocked. The door
was opened by the same Miss Preston,
who, some months before, he thought
"might do" for Mr.. Bigelow.
"Good evening, Maria" was his salu-
tation as he entered. After brief con-
versation about the weather. the crops
and other standard topics, which, how
ever trivial they may seem, could hard
ly be dispensed with, he began to show
signs of embarrassment, and finally
CALCULATED
Maria-Miss Preston-I mean Maria,
riage?"
"Why," said she :" 1 hardly know;
1 don't think have given much con-
sideration to the subject"
" Because" -" continued Philip, 81 find
my opinions have suffered great
change on this point. There was time
when L thought it unwise but, now, If
L could get a good wife, such as you, for
example, should be inclined to try it,"
go Lor', Mr.. Manson, said Miss Pres
ton, in some perturbation, chow you
talk 20
Five minutes afterward Miss Preston,
had accepted the proposal of Philip, and
the two were, to all intents and purposes,
engaged.
The only thing think of, said the
gentleman, after brief pause, sis that
my sister Esther is decided enemy to
marriage, and 1 hardly dare to tell her
that L am about to marry. If we could
only go away and have the ceremony
performed, it would be pleasanter"
"Suppose we go to New York. sug-
gested the bride elect.
ga good idea. Well go. When can
you be ready 20
Next MONDAY morning"
So next Monday morning was agreed
upon. 1t so happened that Esther was
to start on Monday afternoon for the
same place with the same purpose in
view-but of this coincidence neither
party were aware.
The reader will please go forward a
week. By this time the respective par
ties have reached New York, been unit
ed in the holy bonds of matrimony, and
are now legally husband and wife,
They were located at hotels situated on
the same street, and even on the same
side of the way, but were far from being
aware of the propinquity. On the morn
ing succeeding the two marriages, for by
a singular chance they happened on the
same day, Mr.. Bigelow and Esther start
ed out for a walk down street. 1t SO
happened that Philip and his wife were
at the same moment walking up street.
The natural consequence was that the
two parties met.
"Good heavens my sister !" ex-
claimed Philip.
Merciful goodness my brother"
returned Esther.
What brings you here with Mr..
BigelowY"
Nay, how happens it that you are
here with Miss Preston ?''
Miss Preston is now my wife !"
''And Mr.. Bigelow is now my hus-
band !"
But thought you were opposed to
matrimony.
"And l supposed you were equally
So"
my friends" interposed Mr.. Bigelow,
"this is day of surprise-but trust of
such nature that we shall all by made
happier thereby. My regret Mr.. Man
son, of robbing you of your housekeep-
er is quite dissipated by the knowledge
that you have so soon supplied her
place."
Bill of Fare from the Bible.