Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-01-01

way W NO . HANCOCK street. n very
small clerk sat behind the desk in the
outer Office. We asked If Mr.. Towner
was in and if we could see him. The
clerk went to inquire, and in few
minutes we were ushered into the pres
ence of Mr.. Towner. stout. jolly
looking old gentleman of about sixty.
His white hair stood up straight all
over his head, as If it defed brush or
comb. His sharp. black eyes
twinkled with fun and shrewd-
ness. His watch-ohain and studs
were very massive, and, together
with his black ,roadcloth clothes,
gave him general air of aflluence and
comfort. Mr.. Towner rose as we en-
tered and shook hands cordially with
my agent who then turned to me and
said "Allow me to introduce my
friend Mr.. Smartchild." Mr.. Towner
smiled and said he was happy to meet
me. felt rather embarrassed, al
though neither of my companions
thought / had any object in view except
business. 1t was soon settled about
my iron railing, and, as could think
of no excuse for staying longer, was
preparing to leave the room when Mr.
Towner stopped me to ask it had not
some relations in Machias, Me. re-
piled that / had. He went on to say
that he had known a Frank Smart
child in his youth who afterward be-
came quite prominent lawyer in Port
land, but that for the last ten years he
had not heard of or from him. He fin
ished by saying: "Your name is so pc
culiar that Isupposed he was some rela-
ton or yours. / answered: He is
my uncle and am his namesake." Mr..
Towner seemed delighted to hear this,
and kept plying me with questions
about my uncle, After i had answered
all Mr.. Towner's questions concerning
my uncle 1 started again to leave the
office. When Mr.. Towner saw that l
was really going he said; "This must
not be the emo of our acquaintance with
one another. You must come to the
house to see us. Suppose you come
next Sunday to dinner. shall be very
glad to have my family know the
nephew of such a good friend as your
uncle Was to me-" accepted the invi-
tation with warmth but gcalmness. 1t
really seemed too good to be true.
AS we walked away from Mr.. Town
er's office, my agentcongratulated him
self on being the means of bringing
Mr.. Towner and me together. Little
did he know how / had schemed and
planned to become acquainted with the
Towner family. Perhaps some time
would tell him my story if all pro-
All day my thoughts were occupied
with my prospective visit. That eve
ming went to take short walk.
was buried deep in thought, and as
some one in passing pushed me a little
came back to the present, and on
looking to see where L had wandered
found myself in Concord avenue.
was convinced my thoughts must have
been much more occupied with my
lovely unknown friend than / had sup
posed if unconsciously in walking had
strayed to where she lived. After this
occurrence did not allow myself to
think of my visit except when met the
supposed Miss Towner each morning
on my way down town.
She seemed to grow more beautiful
each time saw her. Saturday morn
ing as she passed me handkerchief
fell from her jacket pocket, She did
not notice anything had dropped. /
stopped and picked up the handker-
chief to return it to its owner. AS l
| handed itto hor sho saisod Laos. haas.tifs.l
ewes and smiled with ineffable sweet
ness as she said: "Many thanks" In a
moment it was over, but how de-
lightful to have heard her voice-it GER
tainly did justice to her face and figure.
Sunday was a lovely autumn day. L
started early and walked slowly to-
ward Concord avenue. AS / walkedup
the steps i saw Mr.. Towner sitting
reading at the front window, but he did
not sec me. i rang the bell. A white
capped and aproned maid opened the
door she ushered me into the broad
hall, taking my hat and cane, and
(having asked my name) drew back
the heavy red porteres and announced
"Mr. Smartchild." On hearing my
name Mr.. Towner looked up confused
ly from his book. In a minute he
seemed to realize who l was and
stepped forward with pleasant good
day. After this greeting L looked
around the room expecting to see other
persons, but Mr.. Towner and were its
fiolHns ABOUT the fafhT1y Beng absent,
and did not feel at liberty to open the
subject, but sat down and recon-
menced talking about my uncle. In
the pauses in the conversation
glanced at clock saw standing on
the mantel; it said quarter-past two.
Mr.. Towner had invited me to dinner
at two, but he made no apology for
either being late or for the non-ap-
pearance of the family. Finally about
) half past two 1 heard several persons
come up the front steps and enter the
hall, and among whom l recognized
the lovely girl l had met so often.
|, None of them came into the parlor, but
! started quicklyup stairs. 1t seemed an
endless time before l again heard steps
on the stairs; then the lovely appari.
! ton of my unknown friend appeared
l between the portiercs. She looked like
: an old picture in her light dress as she
!, stood framed in by the dark-red of the
4 curtains. Mr.. Towner was so inter
: ested in our conversation that he die
i not look up until he saw my eyes
Q turned toward the door; then he rose
quickly and going forward took the
girls hand and led her toward me
Q saying: "Mr. Smartchild, take grea
pleasure in introducing you to my
!, wife,"
The iron railing cost me a pretty
:. penny, but paid. the bill without dc
muir Chicago Tribune. ~
-
!. Pie in Massachusetts.