The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-07-27


Co. s again"
"By George! l never thought of it;
so shan't, said Tim Bloom ''no more
counter-jumping for me, and if Mrs.
White will let me hire the back parlor,
I'll take that. Go away? not ~
Not yet, it's too soon. said Hetty TO
herself, "but he'll go when he quite I'M
derstands.
Mr.. Bloom said Mr.. Crabbe, bowling
as he parted from the departing clerk as
he did TO the carriage-customers at the
very store door. II have always seen
q superiority in YOU over the other
young men. l said TO my daughter
Belinda the other day: If it were not
for giving offense to others | should ask
Mr. Timothy Bloom to our little even
ings. Something of the prince in dis
guise about him; but an employer has
duties. They sometimes make his heart
ache, but he must perform them.
Mr. Bloom remembered the plscard
over the water-cooler: Clashes not al
lowed drinks" "a cash who drinks
deducted sixpence," and thought that
if Mr.. Crabbe really had heart this
must be true.
Tim Bloom was a rich man, but he
had no rich friends as yet The clerks
at Crabbe and Co.'S had been always
quarreling amongst themselves, and he
had not known one in private.
He improved his mind in libraries
and museums, and set up bookcase
of his own, into which he put a miscel-
| laneous assortment of volumes, but
when one day he received a perfumed
envelope, inviting him to a lawn-tenpis
party at Mr.. Crabbe's country seat, he
felt that the designations of the wealthy
had just begun for him.
He accepted. of course, and went at
tired in perfect style, and looking very
well indeed.
He returned bewildered. Miss Crabbe
was very handsome. She played and
sang and danced, and was stylish"
She had set her cap for him, and Mr..
Crabbe-yes, actually Mr.. Crabbe-had
plainly allowed him to see that he would
give his consent to the match.
1.-TWO months ago he called me "a stu
pid idiot Two months ago he snubbed
me, whenever he spoke to me, thought
Tim Bloom.
'Yes, this is the old story; everybody,
even old Mrs. White, fattering and
cringing to my money. Iwonder wheth-
or Hetty is the same?"
And in the seclusion of his own apart
ment poor Tim Bloom actually cried;
though Mr.. Crabbe called that evening
and took him to a charming party,
where the guests were principally in the
dry goods line, and in every direction
ones ears caught the remark, "sold
| bill of goods to man," AID where
every one scorned to drink anything less
costly than champagne.
| you rascal" said the excellent ia
Their, on the way home, II see you are
afraid to speak, but know you couldn't
keep your eyes offmy Belinda last We'd
nesday."
Gould I hope for your consent, if
| She"
my dear boy-ha! ha! ha! Why,
ask her and see!'' cried Mr. Crabbe. 1T
has always been the wish of my heart,
even when you were poor clerk, and
she don't say told you) always adj
mired you-always!'
At nine O'Clock, one night, Mrs.
Whites door-bell rung, and O messen-
ger boy handed in a letter-a big let
ter, with big seal, and ''immediate"
on it.
What could it be? Something about
the property, of course. Mrs. White
carried it herself to Mr.. Blooms room,
and as she handed it in, saw him seated
beside table, on which stood wine and
a tray of delicacies. Mr.. Crahbe was at
supper with her boarder.
Excuse me-" said Timothy.
"Oh, certainly" said Mr.. Crabbe.
Timothy opened the letter, read it,
uttered n deep sigh, and passed it to Mr..
Crabbe. Mr.. Crabbe read it and turned
purple.
"Do understand itp" said Timothy,
hiding his face.
Your lawyer says the property is no
longer yours-that your grandfather
was not the right Timothy Bloom, and
that the real heir will demand restora-
ton of all that you have spent already"
Eyes. was right" said Mr.. Bloom.
very well. l will go back to your store,
and Miss Belinda has quite sufficient
|. little fortune of her own. We can still
be happy"
Mr.. Crabbe leaped TO his feet.
"Sir! sir!' he said, 'this is q great
piece of impertinence, sir You haven't
spoken to Belinda"
''But you assured me-"began Tim
othy.
Il didn't" shrieked Mr. Crabbe. cat
least, was mistaken. came here with
the intention of telling you, upon my
word and honor, that she can't endure
you; and as for the store, you were q
most incompetent salesman. There is
no situation open. Sorry for you, but
- Goodnight, goodnight
Goodnight" said Timothy.
Then, as the door closed, he took up
the letter and carried it to old Mrs. White,
who, with Hetty as assistant, was seed
ing raisins for next days pudding, sit
ting one on either side of the drop-light
in the dining-room.
81 shall have to give up the back par
lor," said poor Timothy. "And as for
IN ~ ha1f- hall badroom I don't Epow ho,u