Smyrna times., 1892-08-31
ON HIS FARM AT BARRE.

Everybody was frst-rate when
left" stammered Enoch, peering int
the face of the stranger. "But, sir,vo
must excuse me, don't seem to reco
lect you"
What! Don't remember me
Gracious Have l changed so muc
that my old friends don't know me
Don't you remember the Blaisdel
boys ?"
ayes, that same Tom," was the un
hesitating reply.
''YOu don't look as 1 remember hin
when we were BOYS together"
mo, five or six years in a busy city
alters the appearance of a country lad
l can assure you. But where are yor
going to stop now you are here?"
Il don't know. ! thought of finding
some boarding house"
"Do nothing of the kind. You shall
be my guest while in town. have q
suite of apartment only a short distance
from the station here. Come with me.
l shall be only too glad to entertain an
old friend and neighbor."
Emo h felt pleased, nay, more, dat
tered, at the cordial welcome extended
to him by the young man, and he ac-
accepted the prOffered hospitality
without further hesitation.
From the railroad station the indi-
vidual vino had called himself Tom
Biaisde led the way through the busy
bustling thoroughfares, which presented
Il novel scene to the country yovth
until he passed before the entrance of a
house on Howard street.
During this short walk, which did
not occupy more than ten minutes, the
strangers tongue ran on glibly.
He expatiated on the pleasures Of
the city, the ease with which money
was made and the renued society to
be met with.
Why" he remarked, as he inserted
his latchkey into the lock of the door.
my business { es not require more
than three hours a 10y of my time,
while my salary is little better than
$4,000 year What do you think Of
that ?"
II should call it very fne," replied
Enoch, thoughtfully. But what is
your occupation p
"Oh, I'll show you ere long. Come
up to my rooms and take little rest
and glass of wine. You must be
tired after that tedious journey in the
cars"
Not pausing for reply the city chap
hurried up flight of richly carpeted
stairs the padding of which was so soft
and thick that it gave out no sound to
the tread, and on reaching the first
landing Blaisdell unlocked door to
the right and ushered his guest into
gorgeously-appOiuted apartment.
in the middle of the rOom stood a
round table the GOp of which was COW
cred with green cloth, not loosely laid
over the piece of furniture, but drawn
smoothly across the surface and glued
down, while band perhaps two inches
wide, of polished mahogany, encircled
the edge, while about the apartment
were number of comfortable looking
chairs. upholstered in green plush.
"This is my parlor or sitting.room."
remarked the host, while here is where
Sleep" and the man lifted a heavy
portiere, disclosing a bed covered with
asnow-white cOunterpane and lace
trimmed pillow shams.
Rather nice quarters, don't you
think ?" he asked complaceutly.
u should say they were," returned |
Enoch, for he had never seen anything
approaching to II before.
Il am glad you are pleased, and |
what is more, you must consider them
at your disposal while in town. But.
come, join me in glass of wine," aud
Blaisdell stepped to a sideboard on
which were several decanters contain.
ing varied cOlored liquors.
Selecting one, the man poured out
two glasses full.
Il don't think, Thomas, tLat I'd
better touch any of that stuff. never
tasted anything in the shape of liquor
but cider in my life, and Pm afraid it
won't agree with me,
Nonsense this is only sherry, and
isn't half as strong as some of that old
cider which / know you've got stored
away in your barn on your farm at
Barre Here take it; it'll do you
good"
Enoch, like many another we'll
meaning yet inexperienced youth be.
fore him, allowed himself to be per.
suaded, and, taking the glass from his
new-found friend (?) placed to his
lips, and drained its contents to the
bottom.
mot so bad, eh ?" asked BlaisdelI.
smiling patrOnizingly upon his com.
panion.
ut certainly tastes very nice" ad.
mitted young Bumpus. "But l don't
think l shall want any more of it,"
well, you can take it, or let it
alone, just as you please. That is the
privilege we all have. Come, sit down
and tell me all the news from the
country"
At'this, the wolf and the lamb seated
themselves, one on each side the round
table, and soon Enoch found himself
talking with great freedom, recount.
ing all the incidents which had hap.
pened in the village for several years
past.
The wine had loosened his tongue. he
felt exhilarated, and he began to con.
himself upon the good for.
tune of SO unexpectedly encountering
a genial companion.
In the midst of the conversation the
silvery tones Of a little bell were heard
and the hOaf riufno, oogI