Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-08-29
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A chill. December evening, with
the rain and snow forming . dissg.
reeabie sort of conelomeration on the
sidewalks, the gas lamps q the cor.
Der fickeriDg sullenly through the
mist, and the wind taking one vici-
ously, as one came round the corner.
Not = pleasact evening to assume
possession OF u new home, but neces-
sity knows no Law, and Mr.. Barkdalc
put up his night key into the red
brick house in the middle OF the
block sincerely hoping that his land
lady would have the common sense to
light fire in the crate.
us it you, sir.' Mrs. Human quo,h
beamingly. There's good fire and
it's oil right
"All right. eh." said the bachelor,
feeling the blue tip of his frosted nose.
to see whether it has escaped from
being frozen of entirely. well, /
am glad to hear that, have the trunks
Gomez"
.Oh. yes sir, and all Of your other
things.
What other things." demanded
Mr.. Barkdale.
But Mrs. Human pursed her lips
up and said: II wasn't TO tell you sir,
please"
Rather an eccentric old lady, -"
thought NJ Barkdale pushing past
her 10 the third-story front room
whic:, he had solemnly engaged the
day before.
1t bad been q dark and dingy little
den by the light of The moon, but
now. softencd by the coral shine Of
a well-filled CRATE, it bore quite an
other and q brighter aspect.
"velvet paper on the walls. gilt
paneling. red carpet and . Sleepy
Hollow chair" thought Mr.. Barkdsle
looking around. mot 90 uncoui-
Portable after all. When get my
things unpacked it will seem quite
homelikc."
He set down his valise in the cor
ner, opened it. took out . pair of
slippers, and invested bis tired feet
Next he laid off bis oyer.
coat.
Nov for q cigar, thought he.
But the brown laved weed was yet
in his hand. when there was q hustle,
and flutter and . whisper. and .
merry noise on the landing outside.
and the door flew open as If by ma
gic to admit half q dozen blooming,
laughing girls
Mr.. Barkdsle dropped his cigar
and rctreated . step or two.
''DOn't be alarmed" said the tai
lest and prettiest ofthe bevy: Its
only surprise"
"A very agreeable one. I'm sure"
said our friend, recovering his pre-
sence Of mind.
There's Ho mistake, / hope" said
yellow dressed blonde. Your
name is Mat Greenfield:"
mo mistake at all, assure you"
said Mr.. Barkdale. ''Of course it Is
not Greenfield. Will you sit down,
laeies:"
And he pushed forward the Sleepy
Hollow chair, camp stool and two
rheumatic reception chairs, which
were all the accommodations present
ed by this apartment.
But instead of accepting his cour-
tcsy, the girls all futtered out again
giggling, and in . second. before he
could realize this strange combination
of affairs, they were back again bear.
ing benches and q table cloth, dishes.
bouquets, . pyramid Of maccaronies,
piled up plates Of sandwiches. of
frosted cake, and . mysterious some
thing like unto "a ice-cream freezer.
The golden tressed girl clapped her
hands.
"You needn't think we are Going
all this for you. SIR" she said.
"Oh," said Mr.. Barkdale, II hadn't
any such impression"
ITS all surprise designed for
Hates cousin.
lis IT," said Mr.. B.. moro in the
darx than ever.
"How do you suppose We found It
out!" demanded the tall girl with
the black eyes and . large scarlet
feather In her hat,
II haven't the least idea." said Mr..
Barkdale.
1--WE found your letter to Kate
and We girls read il, and We resolved
to take you and her by surprise. She
Is to be here in half an hour, Barba-
"a. that IL Barbara Morris in the blue
MerinO DRESS" with . turn Of her
lashes toward the goiden-haired girl,
''pretends she has moved here, and
Kate 10 70 come and spend the eve
ming with Barbara. Won't It be .
joker"
..Stupendous," said our hero, gra-
dually beginning TO comprehend the
mortifying fact that he was mistaken
for some one else.
"What will Kate say when she sees
yon here" calculated another maid,
merrily.
'.Ah, what indeed!" said Mr.. B. ,
wondering In what words he could
best explain matters.
"Of course VIC shall al look the
other way while you arc hugging and
kissing her." said Miss Barbara. de-
murely.
Every considerable of you, / am
sure" observed Mr.. B.
"She's the sweetest girl In New
York." exclaimed the tall damsel,
enthusiastically. II am one Of her
dearest friends. We work our sew-
ing machines side BY side, ut Madame
Grillard'a. Hasn't she ever written
to you about Alice Ao0re!"
"I-don't this moment just recall
that abe hes"
"Oh, well, II don't mattar," said
Alice. Just you sit down and Be Z
good boy. while We Ak the tables.
Aren't these rOses beautiful My
gracious, how .stonishsd Kate will
bel" !.
..She cant b moro 90 than ] am.
sa,d our hero, linking into tho Sleepy
Hollow chair, and passing his hand