Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-06-24
CHAPTER IL

from Barre, chl How are all tho folks
UP in the old place2" And flashily-
dressed man graspcd hand of the rural
visitor and wrung it heartily.
NfEverbody was tirst-rate whom left, "
istammered Enoch, pcering into tho face
of the stranger. "But, sir, you must
excuse me, l. don't seem to recollect
you"
|Gs'What! Don't remember me Gracious
Have changed so much that my old
friend don't know me2 Don't you re-
membcr the Blaisdel boys3"
son, yes, 1 recollcct the Blaisdell
boys. Used to. go to school with them
You amt Tom, that left to come to work
in the city, are your,
"Yes, that same Tom, "'was the un-
hcsitating reply.
"EYou don't look rs I remember him
when we were boys together"
S"Oh, five or six years i'll busy city,
alters the appearance of country lad |
can assure y9u. But where are you going
to stop, poH> you are here?n
81 don't know. 4 thought of finding
some boarding house"
''Do nothing of the kind. You shall
be ray guest while in Boston. I have a
suite Of epastmcn.s only short distance
from the depot here. Como with me.
shall be only'too happy to entertain an
old friepd and neighbor.
Enoch felt pleased; nay more, flattcrcd
at the cordial welcome extended to him
by the young man, and he accepted the
protfercd hospitality without further hest
tation. '.
From the railway station the individual
who had called himself Tom Blaisdell,
led the way through the busy bustling
thoroughfares, which presented novel
scene to the country youth, until he
paused before the entrance OF 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 pleasure of tho
city, the ease with which money was
made, and the refined society to be met
with.
"Why," he remarked, as he inserted
his latch key in the lock of the door,
"my business does not require more than
three hours day of my time, while my
salary is n little better than $4,000 a year.
What do you think of that2"
81 should call it very fine" replied
Enoch thoughtfully. "But what is your
occupation2"
ooh, 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 III the car"
Not pausing for reply the city chap
hurried up n flight of richly carpeted
stairs, the padding of which was so soft
and thick that it gave out no sound to
the thread, and, on reaching the first
landing, Blaisdell unlocked door to the
right, and ushcrcd his guest into u gor-
gcously appointed apartment.
In the middle of the room stood n
round table, the top of which was Gov
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, encirclcd
the edge, while about the apartment were
a number of comfortable looking chairs,
upholstered in green plush.
'This is my parlor or sitting-room,
remarked the host, "while here is where
l Sleep" and the man lifted heavy
porticre, disclosing Il bed, covered with
II snow white counterpane aud lace
trimmed pillow shams.
''Itathcr nice quarters don't YOU
Think" he asked complacently.
81 should say they WERE" returned
Enoch, for he had never seen anything
to it before
~ am glad you are pleased and what
is more, you must consider them ut your
disposal during your stay in town. But
come, join me in glass of wine" and
Dlaisdell stepped to side-board on
which were several decanters containing
varied-colored liquors.
Selecting one, the man poured out two
glasses full.
81 don't think, Thomas, that I'd bet
ter touch any OF that stuff. never
tasted anything in the shape OF liquor in
my life, and I'm 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 l know you have got stored
away in the barn, on your farm at Barre
Here, take it, it will do you good"
Enoch, like many another we'll mean
ing yet inexperienced youth before him,
allowed himself to be persuaded, and
taking the glass from his new found
friend ~ placed it to his lips and
drained its contents to the bottom.
mot so bad, eh?" asked Blaisdell,
smiling patronizingly upon his com.
panion.
at certainly tastes very nice" adj
mitted young Bumpus. "But 1 don't
think shall want any more of it."
"Well, you can take it, or let it
alene, just as you please. That is
privilege we all have. Come, sit down,
and tell me Ill the news from the cour-
try"
at this, the wolf and the lamb seated
themselves, one on each side of the round
table, and soon Enoch found himself
talking with great freedom; recounting
all the incidents which had happened in
his village for several years past.