, 1881-01-07
BLOYDlN'S ESCAPADE.
BY GEORGE BENTON.

soakcrs and invalids who cannot rest un-
der July's fiery rays in the stiAed atmos-
rbere of the closely-built cities Even
tbe mania spread through the rural re-
giops, and many lad and lassio sighed
because they did not happen to be among
those whom the daily trains carried
tbrough the green meadows to old
oceans bree1es.
Among the latter may We reckon Blon-
dir Hale, the eldest son OF wealthy
tanner living some miles from the city
of Brotherly Love- Blondin had always
been noted for his restless disposition
and n desire to rove. However, having
been reared by careful parents who al
wavs impressed upon his mind from his
earliest recollection, the precept, "Obey
you parents" he had been restrained
from openly declaring his desire to par
take of the opportunities of the world,
by abruptly leaving. He had often
thrown out sly innuendos but his father
had never noticed them.
Upon this warm July evening old
farmer Hale sat upon the porch of his
dwelling, allowing his eyes to roam over
his broad acres with their cleanly shaven
fields, and fat kline, while his deep, regu-
lar breath and placid countenance be-
tokened his contentment He had worked
hard in his younger daysand had become
q self-made man, respected by the entire
community for his generous nature and
courteous manners. Nea: him to the
right sat the participant of mis- lfe's
struggles, while to the left our friend
Blondin occupied bench, stretched at
full length, his thoughts way off, per-
haps in the azure sky. With sudden
movement be assumed an upright posi-
ton. Sitting still moment to recover
his equanimity, he advanced to his faith
er's side, and in these few words revealed
the subject uppermost in his mind
Father, can you not let me go to the
seashore for few weeks? / have never
been there, you know, and L believe |
have been rather steady on the farm for
some time"
Now of all the places in the world but
the seashore, farmer Hale entertained
rather good opinion. Neither could he
be convinced that it was really beneficial
or enjoyable.
"Tut, TUT, my boy" he said, 81 could
not do that, and the sooner you make up
your mind to the contrary, the better.
Why, there's lots of other places besides
there; why don't you pick one of them :"
Farmer Hale, to really tell the truth,
did not want Blondin to go away very
far, especially to the place indicated, as
he mad an idea that Blondin might be-
come enamored with some grand city
belle, CT one of them with Blondin's
prospective broad acres, in view, as he
was the only child, who might lure him
into an alliance which he would not fancy
much. This feeling OF his protective
policy was still further heightened by n
bit OF gossip that had reached him the
evening before, when he had been at the
village Post Office for the accustomed
weekly paper, to the effect that John
Liuns niece, whose parents had died of
that terrible scourge-tho yellow fever
which had but recently swept the
Southern States, would arrive in few
DAYS and take up her abode with her un-
Gle. Farmer Hale and Viola Linn's
father had been very intimate when
younger, and he imagined it would be
good idea to unite two fortunes by the
union of Blondin and his old-time
friends daughter. So, with this thought
still in his mind, he was little startled
by Blondin's request, and for the mo-
ment tried to divert his sons mind from
any such undertaking.
For once, however, Blondin's PROPOSE
ton was pressed with such zeal and arder
by that young man that the old gentle
men was obliged to yield, consoling him
self with the reflection that his son would
still return in time to court the heiress,
who would soon arrive. Accordingly
the next day he placed a ODDLY roll of
bank notes in his sons hand, cautioning
him to return within two weeks, as he
had other business to attend to at the
expiration of that time.
Blondin arrived in tho evening at his
destination, in the best spirits, with the
consciousness that he was free from res
traint and for q period OF two weeks could
make the time bow to his dictatoual
will. Thenovclty of the situation pleas
ed him, ~ he strOlled the broad piazza
enjoying fragrant Havnnna. The sea-
son was at its height. The electric light
threw its unnatural brightness over the
surrounding objects, disclosing here and
there numerous couples, promenatling,
arm in arm, among the winding paths of
the hotel grounds, while others sat at
tables in companies Of a half dozen, en-
ioying themselves in social intercourse.
As he turned the corner the swelling
cndences of the waltz held him in at costa
cy of delight and prompted him to enter
the ballroom, where an unusually bril-
liant sight met his vision. The ball had
been arranged in honor Of titled per-
sonage who had arrived the day previous,
and nothing lacked perfection to contri-
butte to its success. Blondin was no
mean dancer, having always taken the
lead and won the admiration at the
dancing fetes that had taken place at the
village near his home. He accordingly
felt no hesitation to join with tho throng
and soon he was dreamily whirling away
with n little seraph with blue eyes and
sunny, golden har, unconscious, as her
tidy arm rested upon his broad shoulder,
OF home and his fathers apprehensions
could he at this moment have beheld his
dutiful son.
Truly Blondin had been captivated at