Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-07-03
A DRAWN BET.
BY HENRY c. WOOD.
The note ran thus:

The note ran thus:
Bachelor Hall.
''My dear Boy YESTERDAY I received
a letter from my cousin and dearest
friend of my youth, Helen Powers.
1T informed me that she would be in
this part of the State, perhaps by to-
morrow, and would do herself the honor
to spend a few days with me, for the
sake of 'auId lang syne, and also to show
NE what lovely daughter she has reared.
Now, my dear boy, picture me here
at Bachelor Hall with two beautiful
women on my hands-Helen was one of
the fairest among my kinswomen, and 1
presume the daughter has followed duti-
fully in her footsteps
MY own ld-bachelor self, in the face
of this threatened intrusion, has been
swallowed up and forgotten in the great
problem of what to do with them, and
how to entertain them so that their visit
may be pleasant one.
The bright idea has struck me that if
L can secure your valuable assistance in
entertaining the lovely daughter, 1 can
manage to render Helen's life endurable
for few days in talking over old times.
Il beseecn you, therefore, to cast
aside the quill and buckle on your most
attractive manners-yOu perceive that |
regard them as something quite apart
and aloOt from your usual self-and has
ten to the rescue.
''Entre nous, is there any disinfectant
that will conquer tobacco smoke? If so,
purchase liberal supply for me, and
bring along with you.
''If you WoulC, also, kindly lend me
picture or two. I might hang them up
somewhere, and give the house a sort of
civilized look.
Yours in distress,
GEORGE MERRLwETHER.
''P. 81 expect you might as we'll
select my hat, and bring it with you. A
broad -brlmmed one will best suit my
peculiar style of beauty. GIN"
The hat was ia reference to wager
we had made on New Years Day, that
the first one who should succumb to the
tender influences of the fair sex must
ferfeit the best hat to be found in the
town.
l smiled little at this postscript, and
decided that no new hat should be worn
at my expense.
On reaching Bachelor Hall found my
FREUD, usually so placid, wearing look
of genuine perplexity on his genial coun-
tenance.
Thrice welcome" ne cried, pleas
antly, as l alighted. 'You are like the
physician in case of illness-an agree
able object to look upon, even before
prescribing for the malady"
what an intrusive word is that small
ff,' mine host remarked, dolcfully, as
we began a tour of inspection through
lo4o
the parlor, a room quite nice enough in
its way, if it were only furnished"
''Its appointments are simply perfect"
l fastened to remark as I ran my eyez
over the room.
1t was sans carpet, sans curtains, sans
furniture, except dozen massive chairs
and table, which had been purchased
many months before at an auction, under
the slender belief that they might prove
serviceable some day.
These were huddled together in one
corner, as if they had quite gotten out
of their native element and had grown
hopeless Of ever getting into it again.
A pyramid of canned goods, some
potatoes, flour, various articles of horse.
gear testooning the bay-window, new
pillow, and few garden implements lent
change to the scene.
at would seem," added, noting my
friends desire to have me speak, "that
you have not devoted this room exclu-
slvely to society. AS this cratic body
has OF late years been zealously striving
after the strange and peculiar in ints:'or
decoration, however, your UNIQUE col
lection Of bric-a-brac will doubtless give
entire satisfaction"
IL suppose this is the room to give up
to my cousins, as it is the only we'll fur
nished one in the house." he said as we
reached his den across the hall.
''The furnishing is sufficiently good"
I answered, land with the expenditure
of some extra energy, combined with
good broom, soap and water, and the
removal of few supcrfuous boot jacks,
cigar-stubs, decrepit pipes, together with
general and extensive airing, do not
think your fair visitors will have occa-
sion for complaint.
''Should they murmur it will be an
unparalleled case of ingratitude, add
ed, encouragingly.
Aunt Chloe, assisted by her grand
daughter, one of the farm-hands, aud
the general utility boy, at once formed