The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-08-08
A STRANGE MISTAKE WITH A HAPPY
ENDING.

The $3.50 train on the ID. q L. rail-
road stopped at the station, and rising
from his seat, travelling bag in hand,
Paul Vance stepped out upon the
platform. A horse and wagon stood
under tree few rods distant, and
as Paul stepped to the ground his
hand was seized in a hearty grip.
"Up totime, right as trivet, Paul,
my boy! How are ou?''
Looking upin surprise, Paul found
himself confronted by sturdy, SUM-
Drowned farmer, whose look of en-
thusiastic welcome was not to be mis-
taken, albeit he was an absolute stran-
ger to our hero.
IT think you have made mistake,
my good FRIEND" he remarked, 81
don t recognize"
"Now don t talk CANNON /" broke
in the farmer. Zone summer hain't
made such a wonderful difference in
me as allth know 1 amt fixed up,
but Madge was SO feared I'd miss
you, she hurried me off just as was !;
but you'll find her perked up to
beat all. :"
You're going ahead altogether too
fast, my good friend r persisted Paul.
"I never saw you before, nor you me,
that know of. Certainly we have
never spoken to each other.''
"Now see here you've been tax
ing something p retorted the farmer.
"Isn't your name Paul Vance?"
'It certainly is. said Paul frankly.
"But-"
"Hold on Didn't you write me
this letter." and drawing an evelope
from his pocket the farmer handed it
taoG cur fEpo s owl dPREaGBjNwS AqH ths ys lsttsF
letter. Mechanically he read aloud:
"FIiend Sherman II have fur
Tough of three days and will come
down to Delhi on the 8. 80 train day
after tomorrow. Tell Madge it seems
an age since 1 was there last summer,
and if she is only half as glad to see
me as shall be to see her, I'll be a
happy fellow. Yours truly,
"PAUL VANCE"
"There |" said Farmer Sherman
triumphantly, as Paul folded the let
ter and stood regarding it and him
alternately in speechless bewilder-
ment. "What do you say to that ?
If you've been on a spree, own up,
and l won't let on to Madge; only
you mustn't indulge in such larks
often, if you calculate to marry my
daughter"
''I've been on no spree |" exclaim-
ed Paul desperately. "Inever wrote
that letter, and don't know you, nor
any lady in Delhi. I came down to
consult lawyer here on some perso-
ual business and as for my arriving
by that train it was purely acciden-
tai, and because I missed the earlier
one."
"Now look here, Paul Vance, that
won't go down |" exclaimed Farmer
Sherman angrily. "You may as we'll
tell me I've no eyes in my head, and
can't recognize a fellow I've seen a
hundred times-or that you amt en-
gagged to my daughter Madge-as
good and pretty gal as Delhi can
produce, if / do say it 7"
"Your daughter is no doubt most
estimable young lady, but have not
the pleasure of her acquaintance -
persisted Paul.
"Not another word of that kind y
exclaimed the farmer. "Whatever
has come over you, I can't guess
but my daughter shall not be made
the laughing stock of the town and
have her heart broken into the bar
gain for any man living. You come
along with me and she'll soon tell
you whether you're her beau or not.
Are you coming or shall I hand you
over to the sheriff."
Paul reflected moment. He didn't
wish to provoke scene at the depot.
The farmer was evidently sincere,
though mistaken, and the situation
smacked of an adventure.
''I will accompany you to your
house." he said.
"Ah p exclaimed Farmer Sher-
man, with sigh of relief, and sly,
shrewd twinkle in his eye. "Com-
ing to your senses, are youl I've
done the same thing myself when !
was young and foolish. Step right
this way, Madge will wonder what is
keeping US so long"
The ride was silent one. The
farmer seemed absorbed in a reverie,
and Paul certainly had abundant food
for reflection. He was neither mar.
ried nor engaged, and did not relish
the idea of being hurried into the
tender passion in that precipitate and
peremptory manner. His main hope
lay with the young lady surely she
ought to be able, despite some unac'
countable similarity, to distinguish
between her lover and a stranger.
"Here we are - announced the
farmer, breaking in upon his reverie
"Hold the horses, Paul, while 1 gel
down and open the gate" Our hero
obeyed, and as soon as the gate swung
open the horses started in taking the
wagon around to the rear porch. A
prettv. pirlish figure was waiting