, 1881-11-25


profits and the expenses, and won't be
cheated. And so you may He'll her land
lord"
The landlord smote his forehead in
despair.
BE l Soin' crazy?" he said, cor 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 screw
ing up her thin lips, ''you are in the con-
spiracy against me-"
The landlord uttered a groan.
Il wish to goodness I'd never heard of
the whole thing" she said
But # there law and justice in the
laid III have my rights" screamed the
excited lady. IN telegraph to Boston
to lawyer. I'll have up the constable.
III"
The landlord was vaguely considering
in his own mind whether it was best to
go under the counter, escape by the back
window, or selZe hls grandfather's rusty
musket from the iron nook where it hung
above the chimney piece, and defy the
whole party then and there, when a mer-
ciful Providence interfered in his be-
half. The depot hack rumbled mp to the
door, and out stepped tall, pretty
young woman. with deep blue eyes and
bronze brown hair, n French gray travel
ing dress, and marvelously composed
manner.
Mary SMITH she said to the landlord.
Are my rooms ready? / lecture here to
night in the lyceum."
Never was so glad to see nobody in
my born days" croaked the landlord.
Yes, the rooms is ready, but your hus-
band, he's out on the green, and
your mothers here a.waitin' to forbid
the bansCss and your partner a-vOwin'
and a-swearin' she's been swindled,
and"
Its some mistake, said Miss Smith,
in her clear, inclsive voice. u have no
husband. My mother has been dead
seven years, and partner is a luxury in
which 1 have never INDUCED mrsclf.'
This amt my daughterw said the
starched female. MY Mary Smith has
red hair and she shutters"
Quite different sort of person from
my partner, said the lady with the rcd
shawl.
And my wife weighs two hundred
/ pounds, she wears the BlOomer costume,
/ unwillingly confessed the stout person,
who had by this time come in from the
/ green, and WAS standing staring i'll the
doorway.
The landlord heaved mighty sigh OF
rehef
wal" said he, Il don't see but what
the lectur' may go on, arter ALL.
The three discontented spirits vanish
ed. Miss Smith retreated to her room,
and the landlord breathed freely once
more.
p1 :: Al. sl....z.. -: s D.
ton, young man, In the undress uni
form of a naval officer, came unexpect-
edly upon the scene.
lis this the place where Mary Smith
lectures tonight" he asked the land
lord.
"I believe So" said that worthy. Sc
cretly wondering if there were any more
relations to object. "Ef you want to
speak to her, there she is out in the back
garding, readin' poetry under the pear
trees"
Polly" said the young officer, lean
ing over the pretty French-gray shoul-
der.
81 hear you," said Miss Smith, turn
over a leaf and pretending not to be
aware of the pink flush which was over
spreading her cheek.
with this public lecturing tour?' he
asked, quietly.
"Why shouldn't II" cross-questiened
Miss Smith.
Because l don't like it, Polly"
lyon quarreled with me-" replied
Mary.
- beg pardon" said the young officer,
lyon quarreled with mer'
DO Won really care?" said Mary
Smith, melting into softness.
az care mole than YOU will ever know
he answered, fervently. Little Polly,
love you! And rs for women's rights.
you shall have every right you wish, if
only you'll give up this lecturIng bust
less and marry meT
"She smiled--h hesitated--Yisibly
yielded.
"But I've made the engagement"
Break it, then" said the officer. The
clergyman lives just across the green-I
had his house pointed out to me. Let's
riedl"
Mary Smith laughed and blushed. and
burst into tears, and finally put her hand
into that of the naval officer.
Have it your own way" said she.
''Bnt don't know what the public will
say"
'Henceforw ard, said Captain Lacy.
81 am to be your public. And my YER
dict is entirely in your favor"
So there was no lecture in the Stub
Mountain Lyceum that night. And the
stout man went home, where no found
his wife and mother-in law IN a great
rage, the starched female proceeded to
tba naarast conn maatinn and tha curlv