The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-05-02

her eye by chance, when, overcoming
her maidenly modesty, with a prelim-
mary sniffle, said, sweetly "Oh, if
you please, sir, about walkiu' out on
Sundays after chapel; for mothers quite
agreeable, bein' as you're such a gem
tleman, and'--- .... 0.....U.
"What do you mean?' said, sharp
ly enough, and quite forgetting the
er-heartedness of Sophonsba Ann
in the excess of my bewilderment but,
instead of answering me, that young
person flew to the window, crying:
"If there isn't that man a crossing the
street again. Oh! whatever'll father
dol But Gin is at the door and you'll
protect poor father, / know :" and she
rushed down stairs without further ex-
planation. ....I.... .......
Another minute and rapid and, it
must be added, stumbling footsteps
began ascending the stairs, accompan-
led by the cries of Sophonisba Ann and
the fainter sobs of her mother in the
rear, and Mr.. Maudle entered, sup
ported by his son and closely followed
by rough-and-ready looking person
with paper in his hand
started.
Mr.. Maudle waved his hand
"I-I-My dear friend Sir Scuse
abrupt visits" he cried, in hazy
sort of voice, "F-frieuds may--waive
| sheremony."
Here Mr.. Maudle swerved sudden
ly, but Ciucinnatus propped him up
| again.
"And II believe I'm correct in
saying a friend in needs friend
Indeed (This very rapidly spoken)
"Under these circumstances, I'm
bound to forego parents feelings
Eyes, Maudle, that's it" cried Mrs.
NJ, from behind the apron she held to
her ewes "we know what you'd say
what we'd both say, and feel likewise
and thank our stars as sent you, sir, to
our aid, which I'm sure we can never
repay, as it's GA las. Cd" -
"fl4 lis 3d. interrupted the rough
and-ready Hooking person, with ahoarse
cough.
'Yes, take her, take my child, and
bless you y cried Mr.. Maudle, extend
ing his arms like the ''heavy father in
play, ''and tell thlsh-minion of the
law, that-that his clam shatistied and
helpless, aged parent saved from
ruin and-dstreshl' .....
Here Mr.. Maudle broke off weep
ing. ... ..
"Happy day " said Cincinnatus, Il
said you were like brother when first
saw you, and I'll put it all in my
great work, that an 'ollow hearted
world may read and be ashamed of not
doing likewise y with which rather
ambiguous speech Cincnnatus again
dutifully propped up his swaying par
ent, whose emotions were too much for
him. ..t t.i
"May you both-be-happy ~ muir
mu,ed Mr.. Maudle. .r ..a H.a
80, la, father y cried Sophonisba
Ann, hysterically.
"What does it all mean p | was
forced to ask the bearer of the mystic
rious paper, who was the only coherent
one of the party.
) "Why, sir, this here's distress for
the sum of f14 lis. I'd. owing to the
, parties as sent me here +; and the old
, gent, he says-leastwise he don't seem
: to know exactly what he's savin' halt
: his time-he says as you're goin' tc
Z marry his daughter and pa, up square,
= but | ain't goin' to be gammened nc
+; more, so if so be, sir, of course | have
: your word as well as his'n-"
| waited for no more. "Gracious
+; alive !! | exclaimed ''are you all idiots
-. ro lunaticS, or what? Grant me my
senses to get clear--take month over
for the notice-only let me begone.
Aud fnging the money on the table
d / rushed to collect my traps, thrnsting
a the things into bag and portmantear
5 as if for life or death, and never pauseC
| till strobe forth-minus two pairs o
i boots, an umbrella and cigar case, LET
d behind in the hurry--in search OF th'
first friendly cab which should bear mt
|. far from the region of Peckover stree
t to any destination under the sun, rath
er than consign me in future to tn
e tender mercies of ''Meek Family"