The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-02-19
they awaited in silence the approach

of the two strangers.
! Mel, as usual, presented himself
with many warm professions, ex-
changed greetings in his ardenta and
dashing manner, and presented Mr..
Stuyvesant, sheriff of the county.
This meagre specimen of official dig
nifty returned the courtesy of his
acquaintance with a consequential
display of his counterfeit grace and
classic manners-which too often
cut ludicrous figure in the eyes of
good sense-describing an arc of
circle of ninety degrees, to an angle
of forty five degrees depression with
his hat, so as to fairly display the
enormous quantity of papers which
he had slowed away in the crown.
ga fine prospect, Mrs. Green
berry," Mel commenced, directing
his discourse to the lady, as he
seated himself with his accustomed
sang froid. ga beautiful site, this,
for a residence. 1 always admired
it. The locality itself invites health;
every fresh breeze plays it's respects
to you-"
eyes, I like it very much" re-
piled the lady, her attention capti-
waited already with Niel's oily words.
81 often contrast it with Mrs.
Darly's burrow," Mel continued.
81 always call it burrow. Ha!
ha ha! She calls it Hall-fond
of fine names, you understand. Ha!
ha ha! She covers ali that's harsh
with soft words, and always con-
suits Davy, poor devil, when
strangers are by-then signifies
what he shall say by judicious
suggestion. Ha! ha ha Do you
see the art that's employed? Yes,
Davys only a cipher to make up
the decimal point Mel added, in
a half-soliloquizing manner. "Well,
as 1 was going to say, Mrs. Green
berry," pursued Mel, dropping his
facetious vein, 'you are blessed
with fine situation compared to
OFerguson Hall-a real burrow it
is-buried beneath the hills, among
rocks, with the stream at the door,
threatening to sweep the old rub
bish away at every freshet. Ha!
ha! Well, as may be imagined, it
is always a sickly place to live in
the madam'S unwell at the present
time
ooh, is anything serious the
matter?" inquired the sympathiz-
Mrs. Greenberry.
"No, no. Mel answered, "noth.
ing more than a trifling brash-
makes the old plague peevish,
though. Ha ha! She's at logger
heads with all around, when she'sa
little ailing. Do you hear, Mr..
Greenberry? Your cousin, Helen
Darby, is indisposed," he said in
louder tone, directing his discourse
from the lady to her husband.
"Your cousin Helen's sick. Ha!
ha! She persists in claiming kim"
81 hope she S not in a dangerous
situation,.' said the gentleman ad-
dressed, breaking off the conversa-
tion he and the official worthy had
been conducting, and directing his
discourse to Mel.
"Oh, no, nothing Serious" re-
turned Mel; IA fit of the spleen,
most likely. Ha. ha! Cross as
old Nick, too. She's been teasing
at Mr.. Stuyvesant and me all morn
ing to call on you about a bit of
sham business. We had to humor
the old di 'el, you know. Ha! hal"
"Well, what does Mrs. Darby
desire of me now?" inquired NJ.
Greenberry.
"Oh, nothing more than the for
NAL palaver of a nominal deed, to
suit the law, that she may be able
to prosecute the old feud between
the O'Fergusons, and Fletchers, and
Dinbys, with fair prospect of
victory" Mel answered, carelessly.
TO BE CONTINUED.