The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-10
..What for, marmp" cried the poor

man.
.It's swindling" said the curly fair
downright swindling! we are
partners. And Miss Smith is to lecture
nowhere unless sing ballads IN the IN
termissions. It's share and share aliKe
in the profits and the expenses, anu l
won't be cheated! And so you may
tell her. landlord!'' -,
The landlord smote his forehead III
despair.
..Be 1 goin' crazy?" he said, "or is
the whole 'varsal world agee? Miss
Smith amt here, nor Mary Smith amt,
nor Mrs Smith, nor none OF the Smiths,
as know of -
Landlord" said the curly lady,
screwing up her thin lips, ''you are IN
the conspiracy against me!' .aa
The landlord uttered a groan.
II wish to goodness I'd never heard
of the whole thing" said he.
'.But if there's law and justice in the
land, I'll have MY rightsn screamed
the excited lady. "rll telegraph to
Boston to a lawyer. I'll have up the
constable. rll--"
The landlord was vainly considering
in his own mind whether it was best to
go under the counter, escape by the
back window or seize his grandfather S
rusty musket from the iron hook where
it hung above the chimney piece, and
defy the whole party then and there.
when merciful Providence interfered
in his behalf. The depot hack rumbled
up to the door and out stepped tall,
pretty young woman, with deep blue
ewes and bronze-brewn hair, French
gray travelling dress and marvelously
composed manner.
"Mary Smithp' said she to the land
lord. care my rooms readyp lect-
ure here tonight in the lyceum.
"Never was so glad to see nobody in
my born days" croaked the landlord.
Eyes, the rooms is ready; but your hus-
band, he's out on the green, and your
mothers here a-waitin' to forbid the
banses, and your pardner a-vowin' and
swearin' she's been swindled, and"
ats some mistake. said Miss Smith,
in her clear, incisive voice. II have no
husband. My mother has been dead
seven years, and a partner is luxury
in which have never INDUCED myself"
"This amt my daughter!' said the
starched female. "Mv Mary Smith has
red hair, and she suffers"
''Quite different sort of person from
my partner" said the lady with a red
shawl.
"And my wife weighs two hundred
pounds, and she wears the bloomer Co.'S
tune" unwillingly confessed the stout
person, who had by this time come in
from the green, and was standing star
ing in the doorway.
The landlord heaved mighty sigh of
relief,
"Wal," said he, "Idon'tsee but that
the lectur' may go on, arter all. !"
The three discontinued spirits van
ished. Miss Smith retreated to her
room, and the landlord breathed freely
again.
But in the afternoon train from Bos-
ton, young man, in the undress uni
form of naval officer, came unexpect-
eddy upon the scene. ..... t.''. e.
sis this the place where Mary Smith
lectures tonight" he asked of the land
lord.
II believe So" said that worthy, Sc
cretly wondering if there were any
more relations to object. EFF you
want to speak to her. there she is out
in the back garding, readin' poetry I'M
der the pear trees"
Polly" said the young fficer, lean
ing over the pretty, French-gray Shout
der.
81 hear you," said Miss Smith, turn
ing over a leaf and pretending not to
be aware of the pink flush which was
overspreading her cheek.
Are you really determined to 90 or
with this public lecturing tour?' he
asked quietly.
why shouldn't II" questioned
Miss Smith.
Because don't like it, Polly"
'FYou quarreled with me-" said Mary.
81 beg pardon" said the young Off
Ger. you quarreled with naen'
"Do you really care?' said Mary
Smith, melting into softness,
80 care more than you will evel
know" he answered, fervently. "Lit
tie Polly, l love you! And as for WON
ems rights, you shall have every RICH
you wish, if only you'll give up thi
lecturing business and marry me!''
She smiled-hesitated -visibly Weld
ed. .... .-......t .......,..
-" But I've made the engagement"
"Break it, then" said the officer
"The clergyman lives just across tn
green-I had his house pointed out t,
me. Let's go there this very minut,
and get married. ...
Mary Smith laughed and blushed
and burst into tears, and finally put he
hand into that of the naval officer.
''Have it your own way, said she
"But don't know what the public will
say"
''Henceforward," said Captain Lacy
~ am to be your public. And my yer
dict is entirely in your favor"
So there was no lecture in the Stu
Mountain Lyceum that night. And tn
stout man went home, where he foun,
his wife and mother-in-law in a grea
rage, the starch female proceeded to tn
nearest camp-meeting, and the curl
ballad singer composed new song
called cloves Triumph" founded o
the incident from real life which had Jus
TRANSFERRED. eNt
AFTER ALL said the bride, ssSmith /
an awkward name. And I'm glad Nv
changed 1t to Lacy. SATURDAY Night.
|
lu In a Genteel Manner.