Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-17
Miscellaneous.
BLUFFKlS.s DAUGHTER.
Continue: from yesterday. J


fall in love like other people-they tum,
bled into it, a perfect abyss of love-head
over heels. Before they reached the door
of Blufkin's castle, George came very
near asking Berth to be his wife, and II
he had done so she would have said"Yes"
there is not the slightest doubt about 1t.
When they drew near they espied Bluff
kins sitting on the front steps Watching
Hodges watering the flowers. for Blutfkins
was very proud of his garden, and he was
not above experimenting Hodges opera
tons therein.
He had large Dutch pipe in his mouth
and when he saw his daughter approach
ing with young man, he took it out to
give room for the overflow OF oaths that
instantly rushed up his throat.
Bertha could not hear the fiowery Ian
guage of her ancestor, but she guessed
pretty well what style of conversation
would greet her as soon as the stranger
had taken his departure.
Papa" she said in a shaky voice, this
is Capt. Humphreys. Mrs. Morgan's
brother"
"Good-day, SIR" growled Bluffkins,
looking like the pictures used to illustrate
Jack and the Beanstalk," the pictures OF
the giant.
"Good-day, sir. Very pretty garden
you"
What else be was going to say no one
will ever know, for at that moment an
ominous growl was heard, and Bluffkin's
dog tumbled down the front steps on
.'hospitable thoughts intent" and grasped
the captains dog by the ear.
For short time the whole atmosphere
was full of yelps, oaths and watering cans
hurled at the contending parties-it was
no use. Blutkin's dog was of the John
Bull Species and when he once took hold
did not know how to let go; but the
captains dog was a cuban bloodhound
with terrible depth of jaw, and he had
Bluffkin's dog by the throat. and in spite
of buckets of water poured over them,
they did not relax their grip till Boxer
passed to that "bourne from whence no
traveller returns"
Then you ought to have heard Bluffkins
1t was we'll worth while-he We'd with
Hodges, who burst into a torrent OF
admiration. They viewed the dead body
of their priceless favorite and danced a
war dance around his mangled remains
they stopped the clocks in the neighbor-
hood by the force and beauty of their al
luSlOIo W CfOutS pdSb anu pltScHG, WI
maiden sisters OF uncertain age, went and
notified their landlord that they would
move out next May, and crowds of small
boys assembled around the gate, waiting
for the murder which they expected would
take place.
The captain took it rather cody: he
expressed his sorrow, but nobody heard
it. Bertha fled the scene, locked herself
into her chamber. and stuffed her ears
with cotton. Biddy ran out and
began to express unlimited satisfaction
over the death of the canine fovorite, but
her untimely Joy was cut short by box
on the ear, administered by Hodges, which
nearly knocked her brains out.
This assault and battery was promptly
followed by Hodges receivine pair of
elegant black eyes from the captain
The little boys spirits rose. and they
cheered vociferously, and chung to the
palings in raptures of anticipation. This
was better than the circus, and dirt cheap,
for most New England boys keep an eye
to the main chance.
81 suppose it is no use to remain here"
said the captain, striking a match on the
porch and lighting his cigar. II may as
well take my departure for the present
till the old man has lucid interval. I'll
call tomorrow, and offer to get decent
dog for him to swear and curse over, if
he took such stock in that NANCY cur he
would fall down and worship any respec-
table animal"
So saying the captain walked off, fol-
lowed by his victorious dog, which was
eyed with admiration by the small BOYS
who felt disposed to offer testimonial to
the cause of Boxers demise. for the laud-
able attempts to "hook old Bluffkin's ap-
ples' had always been frustrated bv his
obtrusive presence.
Many boy in that village had gone
without seat to his pants for the entire
summer. and Boxer was popularity sup
posed to have large and varied assort-
ment of these portions of the village
wardrobe hid away under his kennel in
the same hole where he buried his bones.
Bertha had an interview with her father
that afternoon. during which he forbade
her, under penalty of death, to ever 90
outside the garden-gate again as long as
she lived.
She sobbed and wept in vain. Bluffkins
was memorable.
Ten days passed and poor Bertha lin
gered and languished. Melancholy was
beginning to give way to dispair, when
one day Biddy brought her letter. 1t
was from Mrs. Morgan. and ran thus -
DEAR BERTHA Il am very ill-haye
been attacked with hemorrhage of the
lungs. know your father has forbidden
you to come to me, but | think you are
justified in disobeying him just this once.
Yours truly, LILY MORGAN"
That night when all was still, Bertha
crept out of the house with her heart in
her mouth and flew to the home of her
friend
Mrs Morgan was very i'll and terribly
weak, but she smiled on her friend. and
told her how her brother was nearly wild
because he could not see her.
HE called on your father. but he in
suited him and forbid him the house. How
tearfully unreasonable he is! Poor Bertha
poor child"
As the night wore on. Mrs. Morgan
grew weaker. and fears were entertained
that she would pass away before morning.
Capt. Humphreys sat by his sisters side
and held her hand, and Bertha sat on the
other side of the bed tanning her. Sud-
denly she opened her. eyes and said,-
George, you love Bertha. do you not ?"
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