Year: 1875

L
gave it up, and stopping an omnibus
Jumped in and proceeded down town.


The next day appeared among the
personal" advertisements in the Herald
the following:


"MARIA: was there at seven, but waited
in vain. Will be at the same place Satur
day, at the same hour"


We had no other intention at the
outset than to have good laugh at Tim
kins. by exposing the trick that we had
played on him; but since it had gone SC
far, and he appeared to be so much in
earnest, we determined to remain silent
and watch the affair. We were little
prepared, however, for the result that
really did take place.


We were on the watch again on Sat
urday evening, and sure enough, Timkins
was there, scanning every female closely
who wore white dress, but none took
the direction intimated. But, about
half past seven a lady approached, and,
to our astonishment, actually wore a
white dress, white pelerine, and straw
bonnet, but black veil was thrown over
it, and we could not distinguish the
color of the ribbon with which it was
trimmed.


This was certainly very remarkable, a
strange coincidence; but judge of our
astonishment when she left the park and
actually crossed to the Spingler Insti-
tute! We began to think that, like
Frankenstien, we had created human
being, and not only so, but had dressed
her in our imaginary attire!


What could it mean? We looked at
each other in blank amazement, and
before we had partially recovered from
our astonishment, both the lady and
Timkins had disappeared. Had she
really turned down Fourteenth street,
and had he followed her, as of course he
would feel perfectly justified in doing?


We hurried to the corner, and it was
really so! Timkins was close behind
the lady, but had evidently not yet ad-
dressed her, and, no doubt, wondered
that, under the circumstances, she gave
him no encouragement. She, however,
still proceeded down Fourteenth, and
they had reached fence that inclosed
some unoccupied lots, when he sidled up
to her and spoke, but was evidently re-
pulsed. But, nothing daunted, he per-
sisted in his attentions, and, in a short
time, the conversation became mutual,
and they walked on, apparently in pleas
ant companionship. She dismissed him
at the corner of Main Street, and they
went away in opposite directions. We
followed the lady, however, and saw her
enter very elegant mansion.


We kept our own counsel after this,
but still watched the movements of
Ii ,aI 4l,ot
he and the aforesaid female were on the
best of terms. That they met chndes-
timely was evident, and the meetings
were continued for about three months


One night Timkins invited me very
confdentially to sup with him at Flor
ence's, stating that he had something
very important to impart. He then gave
me the whole history of the affair-how
he had received the note, and met, as he
supposed, the writer; how, after showing
it to her, the acquaintance was easily
formed; that they became warmly at
tached to each other, but that the differ
ent stations in which they moved for
babe the hope of her family consenting
to the marriage, and they determined
not to ask it. She had moderate for
tune i'm her own control, and the wedding
was to take place the following week, and
he requested me to act as his friend. l
consented; the knot was tied and they
started on their bridal tour, leaving a
letter for the old folks which l was to
deliver some time after their departure.


found the parents to be good, kind
hearted, reasonable persons; and, as there
was really nothing against the character
of Timkins, except the supposed fact of
his practising, occasionally, upon the Gre
dulity of storekeepers, the matter was
soon settled, and he stepped into very
comfortable arrangement.


Timkins is now gentleman of means,
moves in the very best society, apd may
be seen every summer, with his charm
ing family, either at Saratoga, New
port, or some other resort of fashionable
people.


He has not forgotten, however, the
practical jokers, who, unintentionally,
were the cause of his good fortune, and
they are always sure of hearty welcome
and knife and fork at his hospitable
mansion.