The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-13
BLONDIN'S ESCAPADE.
BY GEORGE BENTON.

uShereu IN Dy the usual uioe Vi Pieao"i0
seekers and invalids who cannot rest un
der July's fiery rays in the stified atmos
phere of the closely-built cities. Even
the mania spread through the rural re-
gions, and many lad and lassie sighed
because they did not happen to be among
those whom the daily trains carried
through the green meadows to old
oceans breezes.
Among the latter may we reckon Blon-
din Hale, the eldest son of Il wealthy
farmer living some miles from the city
of Brotherly Love. Blondin bad always
been noted for his restless disposition
been reared by careful parents who al
ways 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 clearly 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 days and 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- life 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 a 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 L
have been rather steady on the farm for
some time.
Now of all the places in the world but
the seashore, farmer Hale entertained IL
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, or 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 ne would not fancy
much This feeling of his protective
policy was still further heightened by u
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
Inns niece, whose parents had died of
that terrible scourge-the yellow fever
which had but recently swept the
Southern States, would arrive IN few
davs and take up her abode with her I'M
Gle Farmer Hale and Viola Linn's
father had been very intimate when
Younger. and he imagined it would be Il
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 a 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 helress,
who would soon arrive. Accordingly
the next day he placed ODDLY roll OF
bank notes in his sons hand, cautlonlng
him to return within two weeks, as he
had other business to attend to Mt the
expiration of that time.
Blondin arrived in the evening at his
destination, in the best spirits, with the
consciousness that he was free from res
traint and for period of two weeks could
make the time bow to his dictatorlal
will. The novelty of the situation pleas
ed him. as he strolled the broad piazza
enioving II fragrant Havana. The sea
son was at its height. The electric light
threw its unnatural brightness over the
surrounding objects, disclosing here and
there numerous couples, promenading
arm in arm. among the winding paths OF
the hotel grounds, while others sat al
tables in companies of half dozen, en-
joying themselves in social intercourse
AS he turned the corner the swelling
cadences 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
sonape who had arrived the day previous