The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-26

perience a greater measure of per-
plexity.
For the sixth time in the space Of
forty minutes my door was rapped
This time it was mild little ran.
scarcely louder than kitten wouti
make. As before, IcaIled to the visitor
to 'come in" 1t was a lady this time.
She was tall, spare and yellow and
dressed in a faded black Her face was
concealed by veil, but as she entered
she lifted it, disclosing the face of a
woman of fifty.
"Sir," she began in precise and
drawing tone as soon as she had closed
the door, "Sir, may have the pleas.
ure of kissing your gracious handp"
Before | could prevent the action she
fell upon her knees at my feet and pas
sionately pressed her thin lips to my
hand.
Great land of lover' 1 exclaimed
using my favorite by-word. Madam,
please. "
Again and again she kissed my hand,
and | came to conclude that of all the
lunatics of lunatic Bunkville she was
the worst.
Madam" I said again, 81 implore
you to get up and take chair"
She obeyed and like statue stood
before me. The thought was too COM
ical, but it came to me that she was an
actress, for her attitude was theatrical
in the extreme. positively her ewes
were green, and, in the languagsof se
novel-writer, | "quailed'' before ht,
intensely-earnest gaze.
Madam" l said, twill you be
seated?"
''ln your presence, never?' she re-
piled. 81 am glad that you have put
aside your ideas of royalty to so conde.
scend to ask me to be seated, but | shall
stand"
Gas you please" l said
81 do please" she returned, "that
such an one as / should sit in YOU
presence is not etiquette. Though al
American, | am converSlnt with Ell
quette and well know your training
"My good lady" Interrupted, "yor
have advantage of me in. knowing me
so well. l regret that you are {
stranger to me-"
Would you know my name?" she
asked.
Il should be happyto."
81 admire your gracious Kindness
she returned "My name is Ophelia
Hooker, at your sevice."
81 am glad to meet Miss Hooker
answered and asked: "Can l do any
thing for youp"
"You can, my Lord, she replied. :"
am here to make request. l an
president of our Woman's Club, loca
institution of great merit May l ash
of you if you will allow me to enrol
your name as an honorary member?'
"With pleasure, said.
Thanks" Miss Hooker returned
81 rejoice that you are one of us"
Another knock was heard at my door
/ stepped forward to answer it ant
Miss Hooker turned square around and
faced the window. Two pretty girls o
sixteen or eighteen presented them
selves at the door. invited them in.
"Please, SIR" they said in concert
"Will you please write your name il
our autograph albums?
The request was made in charming
shyness and the two little books tha
they produced were conclusive.
Certainly" L said, wondering NY
they should want my humble alto
graph.
please walk in"
They did so.
81 have no ink" I said, "but will a
pencil do?'
80, yes, sir!' they chorused. But
Miss Hooker supplied ink. So serib-
bled in both of the albums the suto-
graph, Yours, etc., Al. Martin
had no blotting paper, and laid the
books open to dry. But some one
raped, and the girls caught up the
books as if they feared that they would
be stolen. The result was that they
were beautifully blotted, and the auto
graph rendered illegible.
Without awaiting my permission Mr.
Selectman Briggs entered, and the
autograph hunters darted out pasthim
"My cutters here, your Honor" he
said obsequiously, ''and l wait youl
pleasure.
Il am all ready" I answered.
turned toward the chair where my
coat and hat lay, and Miss Hooker
swept grandly out. Mr.. Briggs
escorted me to his sleigh. The hall Of
the tavern was crowded by people, anC
men, women and children were con
gregated on the steps.
81 had no idea of SEEM you" Mr.
Briggs said, as he sat down by my side
in the sleigh and drew the reins ovel
an ancient white horse.
''But fortooishers circumstances ha
brought it so. Had we knowed yor
were comm, shu'd 'er git up ;
welkim as it orter be. But two hour:
amt time to get up much"
Then he proceeded to tell me that
his wife had "got up this ere party
in my honor on the "spurs Of the
mint" There was no chance for mt
to put a word in edgewise, else SHOULD
have asked why it was that Bunkvill'
did me such honors.
Well, we arrived at the selectman'
house. and / was ushered in by Mr.
Briggs, and was told to "leaYe M,
things"
"You need not fear but what you
reception II be inthoosiastic, h
whispered, and he led the way to tn,
parlor.
Never before or since have / ha,
such an experience as the occasion o
my entrance afforded me. A three