Middletown transcript., 1881-11-18

his daughter iad not restrained nllll.
Young Bellenden clinched his napkin
in agony.
Mr.. Bellenden, senior, did the honors
of the table, with easy nonchalance,
but all the other members of the party
labored under a singular restraint, and
the ladies sought the earliest oppor-
tunity of retiring.
" Now, James," said Mr.. Bellenden,
senior. " the champagne =,
Really, Mr.. Bellenden, :" stammered
Mr.. Greyling, but the words fairly
choked him; he leaned back in his
chair and unloosed his cravat. The
poor man looked quite apopletic.
James handed Mr.. BeIIenden bottle
the wire was cut-the cork pounced
out perversely and smote Mr.. Greyling
on his rather prominent Roman nose.
q A random shot, 1 beg a thous-
and pardons, said Mr.. Bellenden bow
ing And he passed a foaming beaker
to the irritated merchant.
"I don't drink champagne, said
Greyling testify . James give me
some claret."
That's right, Mr. Greyling call fol
what you like, > said Bellenden. ''Noth-
ing gives me greater pleasure than to
see people make themselves at home. ,
Il should think so, SIR replied
GreyHng drily as he slipped his wine in
angry gulps.
"The cellar is pretty well stocked,
eh, William 4 pursued Bellenden, adj
dressing his son. & And, l beg, Mr..
Greyling you will name your favorites.
What do you say to Burgundy ?"
If you desire Burgundy, Mr.. Bell
enden, replied Greyling with dignity,
James will supply you
"Of course he will, y replied Bellen-
den. "Bottle Of Burgundy James. >
. You must excuse me, Mr.. Bellen-
len, > said Greyling, rising. :" would
prefer to join the ladies'"
Do not place any restraint on your
self. Consider yourself perfectly at
home, while you are here.
g [ do consider myself, I assure you, -
answered Greyling, rising, "and shall
do so while I remain, which will be
until next September y And he
slammed the dnor behind him in pet.
Mr.. James followed the example of his
master.
F." What under the sun, William, .
cried Mr.. Bellenden, when they were
alone. could have induced you to in
vite such vulgar, ill-bred set here
Talks of staying till September, too. =
MY dear, SIR stammered young
Bellenden, {" he is a client, and prom
ises me a large business.
9 And makes up for paying your fees
by quartering himself and family on
me for months The old fellows i'm
pudence beatsanything ever heard OF. "
g He is certainly eccentric" said
young Bellenden. But if you knew
him as well as do sir, you'd excuse
his peculiarities.
. Doubted, " said Bellenden, senior.
" Bue let us join the ladies. The
daughter is pretty and attractive,
though not, | am constrained to say,
over well-bred.' .
The evening passed off pretty well,
the tasteful performances of Miss Grey
ling on the piano soothing the troubled
spirits of all her auditors. But when
the hour for retiring arrived, the un-
pleasant feeling of the two seniors
were revived.
. trust that you will pass the night
with us, said Mr.. Greyling civilly.
" Why, where else should pass it p
replied old Bellenden astonished.
Very well, sir" replied Greyling.
+" When You are ready, | will light you
to your room-the blue chamber.
IL am very much obliged to you,
sir. 7 retorted Bellenden, but if it's
all the same to you, I prefer to select
my one apartment.
Sir, I wish you very good night,
said Greyling, taking up lamp, and
sweeping ont Of the room, followed by
his wife and daughter.
!. Extraordinary growled Bellen-
den. Hang me if ever 1 saw, read OF
heard of such immeasurable impu-
dence. "
The next morning Mr.. Bellendn, Sr.,
was up betimes, and walking in his
garden. He was soon joined by Mr..
Greyling, who appeared to have passed
a feverish night. The two gentlemen
saluted each other stiffiy.
81 hope you have passed a good
night, sir" said Mr.. Bellenden.
81 didn't sleep a wink" said Mr..
Greyling.
"Indeed am distressed to learn
it."
''Mr. Bellenden, sir, it is very evident
that, although your son and l agree
very we'll together, you and l cannot
exist under the same roof.
"Indeed And 1 presume" said Mr.
Bellenden, ironically, that. you are
about to suggest the expediency Of
taking up my quarters elsewhere
From what 1 saw of your conduct
yesterday, l should judge you to bt
quite capable of such a proposition,
"Mr. Bellenden, as a lawyer, yor
must be aware that I have right t.
make it. -
" A right to make it.
" Yes, sir, but scorn to do so, ant
merely came to give you notice thaf
shall vacate your premises to-day
leaving it to your sense Of justice tt
accord me reasonable damages"
g Reasonable damages ~ cried Bell