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FRANK MORTIMER, ) TTWTTx-ri-rTTCrTT7iTrri ninifTTr TmTrnTk tititi I Terms t IN AD VAN CI!
Editor and Proprietor. AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. One Dollar per Year.
"Vol. IV. TVoav DBloomfield, X3n., TVovemlei- 13. 1S7X. TVo. 46.
Js Published Weekly,
At New Bloomfield, renn'a.
BY
FRANK MORTIMER.
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
BT WALTER HEItNB.
4
TXTELL, a nice situation this, for
T I a young man! Twenty-three
years old to-day, aud a nice birthday pres
ent I've got I Leave of absence from Mr.
Blake's store for an indefinite period ; its
not my fault, that's one comfort, its Mr.
Blake's, for having a son, and that son's
fault for being expelled from college, and
forcing his father to take him into his storo
at once, in order to keep him under his own
cyo. So here I am, with nothing to do, no
expectations, lifty dollars cash capital, my
board bill fortunately paid a week in ad
rance, and a new suit of clothes to be
paid for. The man will be here to-night,
by appointment. I moant to pay him, but
as his bill would leave me with only twenty
dollars, I'll hate to break my word, but I
can't help it. When I promised, I had a
salary of fifteen hundred a year, enough for
a quiet fellow like me, aud now ! But
heigh-ho 1 Hal Chester, "never dospair,"
that's what your father used to tell you,
and don't you forget it now, just because
you're in a fog. It will clear off soon."
Hal Chester, as his numerous friends loved
to call tho honest, genial fellow, having
come to this philosophical conclusion,
ceased to pace his littlo room, and throwing
himself upon the sofa, gazed thoughtfully
into the grate, as though ho expected to
find in tho dancing flames, a solution of all
his difficulties.
If such was his objoct, ho was not very
successful, judging from the exclamation
that suddenly roso to his lips.
" Yes, I am in a fix ! No situation, no
money to speak of, and a bill to pay ! and
that's not tho worst of it after all I I'm in
love too. By Jove ! a nice fellow you are
to pop tho question. What! would you
take that darling littlo May from her rich
father's home, and bring her to yours"
Tours? why, you have none, aud no money
to buy one either. No, no, Hal, havo pa
tience ; littlo May loves you, and will wait
till you can gain her father's consent, which
will not bo until you can support her ; so
go to work. Bo up and doing." A few mo
ments more, and tho young man was act
ing upon his own advice, ho icas up and
doing. With Mr. Blake's lottcr of recom
mendation in his pocket, he entered storo
after store, office after office. '
Evening came, and he returned to his
lodgings, feeling jaded, weary, aud well
nigh disheartened, for all his efforts had
been in vain. " So no one wants a clerk,"
he muttered, "well I must do something.
To-morrow I'll try for a driver's or porter's
situation, anything, so its honest." Tho
tea boll rang, and ho went down to the table.
Contrary to his tiBual custom, ho returned
to his own room after tho meal was conclu
ded, instead of adjourning to the parlor
with the rest of tho boardors.
Removed from observation, ho again
threw himself upon the sofa, thought pro
foundly for ten minutes, aud then, drop
ped off into a light slumber, in which
dreams of his gentle May " filled his heart
with joy.'
From this blissful state ho was aroused
by a knocking at his room door, and still
but half-awako to the realities around him,
he admitted his visitor.
"Well, sir," said tho latter, smiling
blandly, " I'vo brought my littlo bill, as
j'ou told mo, not that I'm in a hurry for it,
but you see I always come when I am
told." .
" To tell you the truth, Badger," said the
young man, the color mounting to his chteka,
for ho was not up to "putting off" a creditor.
"To tell you tho truth, I wish I had not
told you. I can only pay you ton dollars
on your bill just now. I have lost my situ
ation sinco I saw you, and must husband
my littlo stock until " His explanation
was suddenly intcruptcd. Tho tradesman
to whom ho spoko, had never before sup
plied him with clothing, and experience
having taught him that young men general
ly, are more liberal in promise than in per
formance, he broke angrily in
"Until, until ! that's what you young
fellows always say ! I might have known
better than to trust you, but I thought you
had an honest face, tho more fool I!"
"Como, my good fellow," said Hal, qui
etly, " no more of that, or I shall have to
put you out of that door, quicker than you
came in. Here are ten dollars ; the rest I
will pay you as soon as I can spare it."
" And that'll be never," muttered tho
man, and pausing with his hand on tho
door knob, ho added, "If you don't pay mo
in full in two weeks, I'll have you in court
for it, that's all."
"Theie's an insolent fellow for you !" ex
claimed Chester, as his visitor disappear
ed. " But I can't blamo him. I'vo no
doubt ho has been cheated many a time, by
youngsters like me."
Early on tho following morning, the
young man started forth to visit an old
friend of his father's, with whoso family
(consisting of one daughter), ho himself had
been on terms of intimacy from childhood.
Mr. Graham was a wealthy merchant, a
good-natured, wholo-soulcd man, who dear
ly loved a joke, so dearly indood, that it
mattered not to him, even though the laugh
were at his own oxpenso, ho joined in it
at heartily as another. Being tho man ho
was, wo cannot wonder that Hal Chester
should bend his steps towards his office,
for advico, even had there existed no oth
er attraction to draw him there, but (let
it iu your car, reader), Mr. Graham was
May's father.
That young Chester regarded him with
esteem, as his lato father's friend, Mr.
Graham woll know ; that there was yet a
more potont reason for such a feeling, ho
did not suspect. The good old gentleman
suffered under tho proverbial blindness of
parents, else tho strong affection that
united his only child, and tho penniless
young man, could not havo escaped his
observation.
He gave Hal Chester a cordial greet
ing, as ho entered his office, and the lat
ter at once laid before him tho state of his
affairs.
" I wish I could givo you a clerkship,
myself," said Mr. Graham, as the young
man concluded. " I certainly would if I
had tho shadow of an excuse for dismissing
any ono of those I already have. But I
have not."
" I would not have you do such a thing
Mr. Graham. All I ask is that you will
use your influence among your friends. I
must get employment of some kind very
soon."
"Well, I'll help you to tho full extont of
my ability. But if you want my advice, it
is this, Hal Chester, you are a nice young
man, handsomo and havo brains if you
havo not money. What's to prevent your
marrying a fortune ? Run off with some
heiress, man, make a bold push and you
are bound to win."
Mr. Graham threw himself back in his
chair and laughed, while the young man
watched him eagerly, with a curious ex-
pression on his face.
"What, sir I" ho exclaimed, "would you
advise me to do such a thing ? Run off with
a young lady without her fathoi's consent?'
" Ha 1 ha ! why, of course I would ! If
only you can got tho chance, that's all 1 Do
you find the lady, my boy, and I'll find
means to help you carry her off to tho min
ister."
"Well, but," said Chester, the curious
expression deepening on his face, whilo he
affected to laugh, "Let us suppose tho
young lady found, aud that she is ready to
run off with me, what would be tho after
consoquences ? what would her father say
to us ? Think you, sir, would any man for
give a penniless young man for marrying
hishoiress, clandestinely?"
" Why, of course he would ! People
always got resigned to what they cannot
help. I know that from experience. It
would be the best stroke of fortune that
ever chancod you, my boy, just such au op
portunity as this.
The young man looked down in profound
thought, and after a moment's hesitation,
said :
"Well, sir, since you think such a
chance to hotter my fortunes should not be
neglected, I will try what I can do. In
truth, sir, I havo a lady in view, and if
once assured of her father's forgiveness, I
believe I should have little difficulty in per
suading her to take a drive to tho minister's
with me. If I can get her consent, sir, will
you uso all your influence with him, for he
will bo disappointed, I fear. He intends
his daughter to marry a rich man; you
know him, personally, sir,"
"Haldol? who is he?"
" He is a merchant, that is all I can tell
you at present ; remember that I have no
right to betray tho lady."
" Your'o right," exclaimed Mr. Graham.
" And I can tell you this much : whoever
ho is, he ought to bo proud of having you
for a son-in-law. Just go ahead and win.
I'll holp you ; you shall go off in my car
riage and after it is done, I'll soothe the old
father, and I promise that he will take you
into his business before many months are
over ; clso more fool he. Ho ! ho ! what
a glorious joko it will bo ! Faith, my boy,
I'd help you, if only for tho sake of the fun,
let alone your own."
Had not Mr Graham been so much
tickled at tho idea of tho joko ho hoped
ho would be ablo to play on some one, he
must surely have been startled, at tho
strange look that flashed from Hal Ches
ter's eyes. Tho young man was no dissem
bler, and had his old friend been at all sus
picious of tho true state of affairs, ho must
havo betrayed himself.
Dreading lest ho should do so, Chester
now bid the merchant adieu, tho latter
calling after him " Don't forget to come
to me if you succeed, I want to have a hand
in tho joko. And hark, ye my boy, if you
"do tho deed in a week, I'll pay your tai
lor's bill."
Tho young man did not at once return to
his boarding house ; his thoughts were in
too great a tumult to permit him to settle
down anywhere. And no wonder.
Hero was au opportunity given him, of
making tho girl ho loved his own, and
that too, with her father's knowledge and
assistance !
True, Mr. Graham did not know that it
was his own daughter of whom Chester
spoke, else, doubtless, his advice would
have been different.
It was this point upon which all Chester's
doubts were now centered. He was sorely
troubled as to whether it would bo honor
able to take advantago of the counsel so un
wittingly given.
Ho resolved to leave it all to May Gra
ham, and ho was soon seated at her side.
As nearly as possible, ho related tho in
terview betweon her father and himself,
giving their conversation word for word.
When ho had concluded, thore was some
moments silence, and then May spoke, the
color coming and going in hor fair cheeks.
" Hal, I think we ought to act upon our
father's advice. It may seem an unmaid-
enly thing for me to say it, but I can see
our way clear if wo use tho opportunity he
has so unconsciously offered us. He will
be angry at first, but I know him well.
After his burst of astonishment is over, if
you manage well, he will enjoy the joke,
you know he will do, or stand anything for
the sake of a 'good joke,' even though it is
at his own expense."
" Then your7 advice is ?" and Hal Ches
ter bent a loving gaze upon the fair girl
besido him ; tho color mounted to her cheek,
as she said, laughingly, "Yes it is."
Never mind what the young man did
then, gentle reader, it is neither your
concern or mine.
All was arranged between them, and
when Chester again entered his littlo room,
it was with a lighter hoart than ho had po-
scssed for many a long day.
The next morning ho repaired to Mr.
Graham's, and informed him of the success
of his project. That gentleman rubbed his
hands with delight. " My carnage shall bo
at your door, then, at tho time you ap
point, seven o'clock, you say? all right;
but when am I to sco tho lady, eh, Ches
ter?" " I hopo very soon, sir," was tho slowly
spoken reply, for Hal did .not feel comfort-
ablo'in the part ho was playing toward the
kind old gentleman.
" Where do you go after tho ceremony?"
Away from tho city?"
" No, sir, I think not. To tell tho truth,
I do not feel quito satisfied about what I
am to do ? Is it right ? what will her
father think of me?"
" Think of you ? Ho ought to be proud
to have such a spunky daughter and son-in-law.
Your'o sure ho would'nt let you
marry her?"
"Yes, sir, I'm suro. Although I never
asked him, I know he expects her to marry
some one who is rich, aud that would
break her heart and mine."
" Then push ahead, boy ! ' Hearts be
fore purses,' that's what I say, and I'm a,
practical man, too."
" You roally think I would do right, then
to secure tho lady without her father's
consent ?"
"Yes, I really do. But you have not
told me yet, whero you aro going first."
" I do not know certainly yot, sir. I
want hor father to know it as soon as possi
ble, and. think of going to his house at
once."
" You're a trump, Chester," exclaimed
Mr. Graham, clapping the young man on
the shoulder, " that's tho right course, do
that, and you'll have nothing to bo asham
ed of! Well, good-bye."
The shades of evening were falling up
on the great city as a lady, heavily veiled,
was ushered into tho parlor of Hal Ches
ter's boarding-house.
Sho had not long to wait, iu a moment
the latter gcntloman joined her, and direct
ly afterwards a carriage drovo up to the
door.
Drawing tho veil yet more closely around
her, that her father's coachman might not
recognize hor, May Graham entered the
vehicle, whilo Chester mounted tho box.
A short drive brought them to tho house
of tho minister, who with his wifo and a
friend of nail's stood ready to receive
them.
Tho ceremony was performed without
delay ; the solemn words pronounced,
" Those whom God hath joined togothor,
let no man put asunder."
Tho young couplo did not tarry long at
tho parsonage, for, although they were jus
tified in tho course they had taken, by Mr.
Graham's own words, there still lingered in
their hearts an uneasiness that prompted
them to seek an interview with him at as
early an hour as possible
Tho old gentleman was sitting alone in
his parlor.
"Very strange, this," he muttered;
"May's gone out to tea without telling mo
beforehand. She don't know what sho's
missed. Ho I ho ! what a glorious joke
Hal Chester is playing on some ono now !
Yes, I came home early, to tell May, for
she likes a joko as woll as I. Well, well,
she'll be home before long, and then I'll
tell her. Who can that be stopping at tho
door?"
It was too dark for him to recognize his
own carriage, and he was totally unpre
pared when his young friend entered tho
room, a lady clinging to his arm.
"Why, Hal," exclaimed Mr. Graham,
when he had sufficiently mastered his sur
prise to speak, "How is this? Has your
father-in-law refused you admittance, that
you come to me?"
"No, sir," said Hal, huskily, for ho
dreaded the scene before him, "No, sir,
but you have always been my good friend,
and I came to you, first of all. Let ma
present to you, my wife, Mrs. Chester."
Mr. Graham bowed, and begged tho la
dy to bo seated, an invitation, with which
her increasing agitation, rendered a hasty
compliance scarcely a matter of choice.
Her husband stood at her side in a painful
uncertainty, how to announce to Mr. Gra
ham the real state of affairs ?
"Well, sir, I have done as you advised
mo. I have married this lady without her
father's knowledge ; do you still think me
right?"
" To be sure. I do ! ' Hearts before pur
ses,' always."
Young Chester extended his hand to his
companion.
" Then you can torgivo me," no said,
" Mr. Graham, let me once more present to
you my wife, formerly Miss Mary Chraham.
May, take off your veil."
VVitu upliited lianas, ana eyes wild witli
amazement, Mr. Graham staggered back.
For several moments he stood thus, when
ho burst out, " Mr. Chester, sir ! this is nice
conduct lor an honorablo man I JNo, no,
Mrs. Chester, keep off, I don't want your
arms around me that's over and gone. A
dutiful daughter you are ! What do you
mean by such conduct, sir, I say?"
May looked around at her husband and
nodded, and replied vory quietly.
" I meant to follow your advico, sir. To
'make a boldpush and win,' to 'run, off with
an heiress' "
" Run off with an heiress, yes sir. I sco
your motivo," interrupted the old man, an
grily ; "aud what do you expoct to gain by
it, sir ? If you think you'll get a cent
from mo, you're mistaken !"
" I think you'll forgive us. 'People al
ways get resigned to what tJiey can't help, I
knoxo that from experience.'" "You see,
sir," and Chester's eyes twinkled, "I
thought it 'would be the best stroke of for
tune that ever chanced me.' Besides, Mr.
Graham, I relied upon you for help to gain
my father-in-law's forgiveness. Remem
ber you promised ho ' should take vie into
Ms business before many months are over,
else the more fool he.' You promised to aid
me, 'if only for the sake of the joke, let
alone my sake, ' and then, too, I thought
that 'Hearts before purses' "
"Stop, stop, that's enough! I can't
stand-any more," gasped the old gentle
man, breaking out into a hearty laugh.
" I am conquered, beaten by my own weap
ons, my own words. I had better be re
signed, as I can't holp myself. I can't af
ford to lose my daughter, I'd rather keep
her, even with the addition of an impu
dent son. Oh 1" here he broke forth into
another fit of merriment, "But you young
ones were sly foxes ! Well, well, this is the
most glorious joke lever heard." Weekly
Age.
Old Relics.
When tho new bridge was built, a year
or two ago, over the Thames, at Blackfri
ars, London, they tried in vain to find tho
foundation stone of the old structure, aud
have at last succeeded, after digging forty
foot under tho bed of the river. Tho con
tents of tho stones were in an oak chest.
This bore a metal plato inscribed as fol
lows :
On tho last day of October, in the year
1700, in the beginning of a most auspicious
riegn of George III, Sir Thomos Chitty,
Knight, tho Lord Mayor, laid the first stone
of this bridge, undertaken by the Common
Council of London, in the height of au ex
tensive war.
The bridge for tho publio accommodation
and ornament of tho city, Robert Mylne
being the architect, and that there may
remain to prosperity a monument of this
city's affection for the man who, by tho
strength of his genius, the steadiness of
his mind, and a kind of happy contagion of
his probity and spirit, under tho divine fa
vor aud fortunate auspices of Goorgo tho
Second, recovered, augmented, and secured
tho British empire in Asia, Africa, and
America, and restored the ancient reputa
tion and influence of his country amongst
tho nations of Europe, the citizens of Lon
don have unanimously voted this bridge to
be inscribed with the name of William
Pitt.
Boncath the stone were found a guinea,
a half-guinea, a crown, a half-crown, a shil
ling, two sixpences, 81 half ponce, and a
farthing. Tho 6tone and everything else at
present found have been removed to Spring
Gardens for safo keeping.