The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-12-07
SELECT STORY.
MR.. sOUTTLE AND MISS ToMPKINs
A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.


bachelor of Independent means, gifted
with nature that was sensitive and
delicate TO the highest degree
Naturally susceptible and romantic,
he was continually falling in love,
the celebrity with which he fell vic
tim to the tender passion being only
equalled by that with which he extri-
Gated himself from the tolls.
To this latter fact may be attributed
his being still bachelor at the dis
Greet age of 50.
In person he was short and stout,
his chief marks of distinction being a
very bald head and an exceedingly red
face.
Notwithstanding these disadvan-
tages, Mr.. Scuttle still retained all his
old youthful fire and romance, aud
was chivalrcus ard sentimental in the
extreme.
But the time came at last when Mr..
Scuttle was inextricably caught in the
tolls of love. He lived and breathed
for one being only, and for him the
world contained but one person, that
person being the adorable Angelina
Tompkins.
Miss Tompkins was a fair young
thing, about AZ, who was almost too
ethereal for this world, and was the
fortunate possessor of the most beauti.
ful nutbrown ringlets that il had
ever been Mr.. Scuttle's lot to feast his
eyes upon.
1t was those curls that had done the
whole business, for Mr.. Scuttle had
followed Miss Tompkins about like a
shadow, before he mad found courage
to speak to her, for the sole purpose OF
admiring those beautiful curls.
| Followed her, until in less than a
week he lost several pounds in weight,
for the fair Angelina was vigorous
walker, and delighted in long con
stitutionals-constitutionals which were
not adapted to the size and weight of
Jeremiah Scuttle. However, he stood
it manfully, although upon several oc-
casions he had been obliged to divest
himself of coat and hat, and carry
them on his arm.
But the ice was broken at last they
were introduced by common friend
they conversed, they loved; and Mr.
Scuttle only waited a fitting opportu
nifty for laying his land and heart al
the feet of the fair Angelina.
Such was the state of affairs wher
Miss Tompkins sought change of all
and scene at a small but well-knowi
watering place upon the shores o
Kent.
1t is unnecessary to say that she was
soon followed there by her ardent ad
mirer, who arrived one evening abou
a week after Miss Tompkins' advent
and determined to surprise his fair on,
upon the morrow.
The thought of being again in tn
same neighborhood with Miss Tomp
kins prevented his obtaining mucl
sleep that night, and the next mornin!
he was to be seen OF the beach almos
before any one was stirring.
The bathing machines were al
drawn up in row upon the beach
and as his eye fell upon them gh
idea rushed through his mind. II
would have a bath Mr. Scuttle wa
an excellent swimmer despite his obes
ty, and the thought having once take
possession of his mind he proceeded t
put it into execution.
But the only person to be interroga
ted upon the subject was a stupid
looking bov of about 13, who onl
shook his head and said his mothe
would be back in half an hour; tina
he was only there to mind the mf
cnines and didn't know anythin
about letting 'em out.
Mr.. Scuttle was not made of tn
stuff that is easily daunted, and produ(
ing a sixpence from his waistcoa
pocket he held it up temptingly befor
the boys astonished eyes.
"Now, my boy, Ill give you this a
to yourself if you will take me out i
one of those machines
The boy rose with alacrity.
"All right, governor" he said. "Gt
in and take them towels with you, an
I'll fetch the horse"
No sooner said than done, and fiv
minutes later Mr.. Scuttle was enioyin
himself in the sea. 1t was lovel
balmy morning in August, and M
Scuttle struck out with will, and wa
soon out of sight of the machin,
which he had had dragged some di
tance from the shore.
Great was his horror aud constern.
ton when he came back to find sewers
machines drawn up alongside his an
to see four OF five members of the IA
sex disporting themselves gracefully
the water.
The ladies were not performing tn
regulation bobbing up and down wit
the rope, but hand finland, at some Ii
tie distance from the machines, wei
performing sundry graceful evolution
in circle,
"Dear me-" thought Mr.. Scuttl
''this is very terrible state of things
! must get back to the machine
once, What wonderful foresigl
upon my part to have looked at Il
NUMBER 1t was number ski r
member perfectly.
= To his indescribable delight, as
approached nearer, he discovered tn
number six was in rather an isolate
position.
sit must have been moved" thoug
Mr. Scuttle, and without bestowing a
other thought upon that matter,
swan to it as fast as possible, al
breathed prayer of thanksgivir
when he entered it, his movemen
having been entirely unobserved by Il
ladies,
"Ah, my Angelina, murmured N
Scuttle, as he vigorously applied Il
towel, you, and |, oh, joy will so'
be gazing upon those beautiful curli
AT that moment Mr.. Scuttle rails,
his eyes, and the arm which he rails
to flourish the towel in exuberance
spirits fell to his side as though p;
alyzed his jaw fell, and his ey
: started as though they would ha
bolted from their sockets,
"Gracious heavenr came at |,
from his stiffened lips; "am i in |
senses, or am haunted by that whi
is alWavs i'm nv thOuphts -