Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-12-01

Nothing Of the sort |" said the lady.
The font Of the landlords imagina-
tion was hopelessly drained dry by this
time He said nothing more, bat
stared hard at the starched female.
81 wish to see Miss Smith, " said she,
abruptly.
"Eh?" said the landlord.
"The lecturer Women's Rights, !"
with a little grimace at the words, as if
they had bitter taste.
"She amt arriv' yet,' said the land.
lord.
81 do not intend to allow this out
rage on public taste r. said the lady,
vehemently.
"Marm ?" said the landlord.
81 am Miss Smiths motherr'
'sBe you ?" gasped mine host
"And here / set until she presents
herself" said Mrs. Smith, depositing
herself on the nearest chair, and clasp
ing both hands firmly over the umbrel-
la-handle.
The landlord looked feebly at her,
and almost within the same second, in
hurried short, over-dressed lady, with
curls, jewelry, bangles, and a scarlet
shawl, while shabby, black silk skirt
trailed its founces over the dusty floor.
Landlord" said she, stake down
those posters at oncelv
''What for, marm2g cried the poor
man.
'Tts swindlingg" said the curly fair
one -''downright swindlingl We are
partners. And Miss Smith is to lecture
nowhere unless I sing ballads in the in
termissions. It's share and share alike
in the profits and the expenses, and I
won't be cheatedl And SO you may tell
her, landlord ~
The landlord smote his forehead in
despair.
"Be goin' 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 I know Of"
Landlord" said the curly lady,
screwing up her thin lips, "you are in
ttbGeonspiracy against me!''
The landlord uttereua groan.
81 wish to goodness I'd never heafo
of the whole thing" said he.
"But If there's law and justice in the
land, I'll have my rights y screamed the
excited lady. 'I'll telegraph to Boston
to lawyer. I'll have up the constable.
Pill"
The landlord was vaguely considering
in his own mind whether it was best to
go under the counter, escape by the
back window, or seize his grandfather
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
eyes and bronze-brown hair, French
gray travelling dress, and marvelousIy
composed manner.
Mary Smith r. said she to the land
lord. "Are my rooms ready? I lee
ture 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"
''It's some mistake" said Miss Smith,
in her clear, incisive voice. 81 have no
husband. Ny mother has been dead
seven years, and partner is luxury in
which have never indulged myself"
ssThis amt my daughter' said the
starched female. s'My Mary Smith has
red hair, and she stutters.";
"Qu1te different sort of person from
my partner" said the lady with the red
shawl.
s'And my wife weighs two hundred
pounds, and she wears the Bloomer
costume unwillingly confessed the
stout person, who had by this time como
in from the green, and was standing
staring in the doorway.
The landlord heaveda a mighty sigh Of
relief.
sWal," said he, II don't see but that
the lectur may go on, arter ALL"
The three discontented spirits van
ished. Miss Smith retreated to her
room, and the landlord breathed freely
again.
But in the afternoon train from Bos-
ton. q young man, in the undress uniform
of naval officer, came unexpectedly
upon the scene.
Is this the place where Mary Smith
lectures tonight he asked of the
landlord.
Il believe So" said that worthy, Sc
cretly wondering ifthere were any more
relations to object. 'sEf yoa want to
speak to her, there she is out in the
back garding, readin' poetry under the
pear trees" a
'sPolly," said the young officer, lean
ing over the pretty. French gray shout
der.
Il hear you" said Miss Smith, turn
ing over leaf and pretending not to be
aware Of the pink flush which was over
spreading her cheek.
re vo71 rpa1lv dafnrrninad Il, or, ~,