The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-05-27
INTERESTING STORY.
A STRANGE MISTAKE.


The family of Mr.. Benjamin Barby, a
gentleman of very close habits, was alarmed
one bright sunshiny morning by the vener-
able old gentleman, whose voice was heard
in all parts of the house at the same time.
He had run in from the garden crying
Martin Martin Where is that pre-
,ious rascal, Martin ?"
Martin was busting, active servant in
the family, remarkable for his polite and
agreeable manners, which quite atoned for
the ugliness of his yisage-not actual ugli-
ness, but ugliness occasioned by q black
patch over one of his eyes and another
across his nose. The family of Mr.. Barby
consisted of himself and ward, young lady
of nineteen, to whom she had been left guar
dian by an old friend and schoolfellow.
He did not like the idea of being set as
watchdog over the inclinations of young
girl, but respect for his friends memory
would not admit of his refusing to take
upon himself the charge.
Seeing the host of suitors addressing her,
and being unable to separate the wheat from
the chaf, he resolved upon discountenanc-
ing them all by expressing his determine
lion that Mile Winters should not marry at
ALL
She shall have no husband at ALL" he
cried " Better be without husband,
Millie, than to have bad one"
The wary old man accordingly chose for
Miles maid q remarkably curious-looking,
hump backed old woman, thinking she
would be true to his interests
But Mr.. Barby was mistaken, for Julie
was remarkably fond of money-a FIVE
pound note would throw her into state of
delirium, during which she continued OBJ
liyous to all that might be going on around
Der.
Martin responded not to his masters
summons. But still the old gentleman
cried
"The precious villain o that my family
should be thus insulted and disgraced I
saw him press his lips to my wards cheek,
and the sound of that kiss still sounds in
my ears ~
At this moment Martin appeared, and
mildly asked:
Did you call, sir p
Whereupon the enraged old gentleman
rushed upon him, and cried
BOUNDS, you scoundrel what do you
mean by kissing my ward ?'
81, sir ?" exclaimed Martin, with a sur
prised and innocent look.
Villain my own eyes have not deceiy-
ed me. saw you not ten minutes ago steal
behind Miss Millie, and-and-n
Sir, sir! !" exclaimed Martin, writhing
in Barby's grasp. " 1t is impossible" And
thus saying, he struck his band upon his
forehead. As sudden thought occurred
to him, he continued Sir, q thought
strikes me which may justify your suspic.
ions. There is some strange mystery in
this
Mystery !" quoth the old gentleman. in
an enraged voice. " / think there is"
:" confess, sir" said Martin, with tone
and look of shame, that l did steal into
the garden just now and take a chasts
salute; but on my honor, sir, believed
The person to be Miss Winters maid, the
worthy Julie, to whom I have the honor of
paying my addresses"
Villain !" repeated the old man, stamp
ing his foot; but Martin interrupted him
You know what bad sight have sir"
he said. Gone eye entirely gone, and the
other very treacherous, as it is now proven
to be, seeing that mistook the mistress for
the maid, and have thus insulted lady and
offended worthy gentleman, whom my in
clination and duty have ever prompted me
to regard with profound respect and ven0ra.
tion."
Mr.. Barby was compelled to admit that,
owing to the defective sight of Martin, il
was possible for such mistake to have oc.
Cured, and the precious villain was
called " careless fellow"
Wishing perfectly to retrieve his charao-
TER, he explained to his master that he and
Julie were about to be married-that she
had obtained Miss Winters consent, and
that he was thinking of asking Mr.. Barby
that very morning.
The old gentleman expressed his surprise
that spruce little dandy like Martin should
wish to unite himself with the old hump
backed Julie but Martin clasped his hands,
and with rapture declared her the woman
of his choice and paragon of womankind
and Mr.. Barby, not wishing to wound the
honest fellows feelings, contented himself
with saying:
Well, there's no accounting for tastes"
In the course Of the day Mr.. Barby. acct
dentally met Julie in the garden.
Well, julie" he exclaimed, 81 wish
you joy in the new situation you are going
into.'
La, sir" said Julie, +" I amt going into
no new situation"
Why, yes, you are you are going to
get married"
Married, sir !" echoed Julie, in aston.
ishment. &c going to be married? Law,
sir, wish I was"
whats the use, old woman, Of your
standing there counterfeting such surprise
I know oil about it."
"All about il ?" squealed Julie, unable
to comprehend her masters meaning. AN
about it. sir p
" Yes, to be sure. all about your billing
and cooling. Why, how you look. He told
me so himself"
"He2" cried Julie. "Who?'
"Why, Martin, to be sure"
"Ohl' exclaimed Julie; and hung down
her head, after affecting to blush.
What fool the old woman is" said
IL -..t