The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-10
were ont of hearing. .Do. Jack. ring

how nice it was. Now, this is tn
very house for it, with the gas turn
ed down, and no lights in the parlo
windows. You'll have plenty o
time.to get off,
It's Mr.. Jessup's house. sale
Harry, the rich bank director. Fan
cy his indignation at the presump
ton of those rascally boys in darinl
to take such a liberty with his dool
bell
well, I'll try it, just to spite him
In fact, owe him one, for a poke il
The back with am umbrella which ht
gave me, about seven years ago. Il
was at lecture, and I was talking
to a pretty girl with whom l had
scraped acquaintance. And she saw
it; and | was fifteen, with visible
shade upon my upper lip. Can such
an injury ever be forgotten, or shall
it pass unavenged ? Perish the
thought
He walked quite leisurely up to
Mr.. Jessup's front door, and firmly
and deliberately pulled the bell.
/ But his hand had scarcely left the
knob, when the door flew open, and
out darted Mr.. Jessup himself, with
vengeance glaring in his old specta.
cled eyes.
so I've caught you, you young
villain and now I'll make such an
example why, bless mep
And he let go his iron grip on
Jacks coat lapel, and started in
amazement as he took in the tall
proportions of his visitor, upon whose
face and figure the now upturned
gas Jet cast a cruel light.
Il beg your pardon, sir-indeed |
really beg your pardon ? resumed
Mr.. Jessup, gazing keenly upon
Jacks embarrassed countenance. Il
unfortunately mistook you for one of
those mischievous boys who have
for some evenings past annoyed us
by the low and contemplate trick of
surreptitiously ringing our door bell.
1t is but few minutes since one
of them left, and knowing that he
would repeat his performance, I re-
solved to lie in wait. You'll excuse
me, am sure, sir. Pray walk in
Jack looked for an instant as if
meditating an uncere nonious re-
treat. But he saw that Mr.. Jessup,
though not d personal acquaintance,
had recognized him, and he was
forced to summon his presence of
mind to his aid.
i can excuse the mistake, SIR he
said with rather a forced smile. Il
was-aw--may | inquire whether
Mr.. Smith lives here?
1t was the first name that occur
red to him, and he calculated by this
clever expedient to make an easy
escape.
Mr.. Alexander Smith p inquired
Mr.. Jessup, with his searching gaze
still bent upon Jack.
Why, no, l think not. Mr.. John
Smith is, | think. the name
Just here a suppressed feminine
giggling from the sidewalk was dis
tinctly audible.
oh, Mr.. John Smith He resides
not far from here, on the next block.
AS you appear to be a stranger in
this neighborhood, pray allow me to
show you the house
Jack protested he would not hear
of the gentleman giving himself the
But Mr.. Jessup insisted
that it would be a pleasure, and seiz-
ing his hat, escorted his unwilling
companion up the street to the next
block, where he passed before very
handsome house
This, sir, is the residence of Mr..
John Smith. The adjoining man
sion Is that of his brother, Alexan-
der, and the polite banker opened
the gate, and stood aside for Jack to
pass.
Thank you, sir; l am sure | am
greatly obliged, said Jack, betraying
no haste to enter.
1T is rather dark here in the shad-
Ow of the piazza; | fear you will
have some difficulty in finding it.
Allow me TO ring
Jack fervently wished he could
wiring the ears of the officious bank
er, and he looked wildly around as
a resounding peal rang on the still
ness.
A moment later light step was
heard within, the door opened, and
be found himself confronted by a
graceful figure, with the prettiest and
most piquant brunette face that he
could imagine.
All, good evening, Miss Flora,
said Mr. Jessup, politely. This gen.
Lleman is anxious to see your father,
and being a stranger, have taken |
The liberty of showing him the place.
Good EVENING"
And with malicious gleam in his
sharp eyes, the banker took his de-
Darture, and left his victim to his
ate.
What could Jack do? There was
he young lady holding the door
open, and inviting him to enter, and
here was Mr.. Jessup skulking into
he shadow at the gate, to enjoy his
liscomfture, and the same giggling
hat he had before heard now again
greeted his ears, with sure prem o.
lition of what awaited him in the
'uture, unless he could manage to
.xtricate from this most embarrass-
ng dilemma.
In desperation, and if only to dis
appoint the outside lookers-on, Jack
stepped across the threshold.
Pray, walk in, sir, said the young
ady' opening another door. Papa,
/ gentleman to see you
The visitors face was very red as
he found himself ushered into very
lighted parlor, where sat
wo gentlemen playing chess.
Mr.. John Smith, a portly figure,
With iron gray hair, rose to meet
lin, and the young lady placed a
hair for him; and some remark
vas made-Jack hardly knew what
after which followed solemn ST.
ence.
Clearly, Jack must surely say