2
ljc intc0, New Bloomfiefo, JJcu
OUR ELOPEMENT.
MY name is Christopher Terry, but
everybody calls me Chris, for
short, I suppose.
The dny that I was born was a momor
nble epoch in the annals (if Terryvillo.
On that occasion there was n town elec
tion that ended in a bloody fight between
the adherents of the rivul candidates and
u conflagration that destroyed nearly one
third of the best buildings in the place.
My two brothers, Fred und Dick (whom
hadn't the udvantago of knowing at
that time), were pretty good sized boys,
nnd they determined to observe my natal
day with appropriate honors. They,
therefore, expended their spare change
in purchasing a couple of pounds of gun
powder with which they purposed load
ing a small cannon iu their possession.
Fred took tho paper containing the am
unition into the kitchen and laid it on
the table, while Dick and himself went to
hunt up the cannon. In their absence
Dorcas Miller, tho maid-of-all-work, com
ing in and wishing to use the table, took
up tho packogo of gunpowder, and being
ignorant of its contents, tossed it upon
tho hearth, within a few inches of a hot
wood-fire. The consequences that ensued
will not be difficult to comprehend. In
a-short time the paper ignited from a
spark and the house seemed shaken to
its very foundations. There was mighty
little of tho kitchen left, they say ; nnd a
very small portion of Miss Miller tliat was
good for anything afterwards. She lost
an eye, all her front teeth, two fingers,
was lamed for life in one log, besides be
ing so fearfully burned that she was re
pulsive to look upon tho rest of her days.
Such, reader, were some of tho local
events upon the day on which I saluted
my mother with uiy first squall.
My parents were pious members of
meeting and were woefully troubled lest
these signs wight progoostigate some
thing in relation to their youngest born.
I was a robust child and precocious for
my years. At eleven months old I could
walk and when I was in my third year I
was able to swear as well as a boy ot hve.
I don't mention it as in any manner cred
itable to me, fur from it. I have always
regreted tho fact, for I urn sensible how
consumate a little rascal I must havo
been, and how large a quantity of " orig
inol sin" must have been infused into my
being.
My father, as in duty bound, thrashed
me. und my mother (good woman) gener
ally began where my futhcr left off". But
the rod did not realize my parent's expec
tations, and they must have lost faith
in King Solomon on this particular point.
The moro they flogged mo, the tougher
became my hide, and uiy perverscness in
creased in proportion as my body became
accustomed to blows. Some worthy
friend had told my father that no child
should be tent to school bofore the age of
ten, as any attempt to discipline the mind
of one of more tender years, might result
in the boy turning out to be a fool. As
our family had usually been considered
sharp, my father had a mortal fear of his
' children being dunces, so my education
did not begin until I had entered my
tenth year. ., . v..
.- I had not been in school a week before
' I was engaged in a half-doien fights with
my school-fellows. Being brought before
. Mr. Mcl'hail, the teacher, to acoount for
my misconduct, I commenced to excuse
myself on the ground that I was the party
assailed, and was consequently compelled
to defend myself. Here one of the lar
ger pupils stepped forward and boldly
contradicted niy ' assertion, stigmatizing
me as a littlo bully. His language so in
censed me, that forgetting the august
presence of the master, I thrashed him
on the spot. Kuch temerity threw the
school in the greatest possible consterna
tion, and set Mr. Mcl'huil's discipline at
naught. I was therefore, . immediately
dismissed as a dangerous character, uud
sent home with a note to my father
' from the muster who declined keeping me
any longer in his school.
My father was in great perplexity
where to send me that I might acquire
an education.
" Jane," said he, addressing my moth
er, "I don't know where that boy Chris,
gets his pugnacious disposition. All my
luiuily are amible, und his brothers are
as gentle as lambs." j ;
"I can't tell myself," answered my
mother, of mine " unless he i iuherita it
' from a brother of mine who was a wild
fellow in his youth. lie vent to sea as
' a sailor, and finally joined some of the
Fiji tribes who are forever fighting
among themselves ; if poor Joub still is
living he must be a chief by this time,
for he was uncommonly ambitions in his
way." . ,.i'., .'.'.-'..
, I'm glad it don't corns from my side
of the house," responded my father, " we
re a peace-loving people." ' ' 1 . 1
For the next ten years I attended va
rious , educational establishments with
more or less bad luck to myself and oth
ers concerned, and in my eighteenth year
I returned home preparatory to entering
, into some business. X must here remark
..that by this time my pugilistiq propensi.
i ties were considerably , abated, out the
spirit of mischief was still strong within
nie, ' '' 1 ' ' 1 ,
My father had a friend by the name of
. Abner Loring, who carried on a pretty
brisk business as a merchant with the
West Indies, ' Mr. Loring was a kind-
hearted man and very affuble to every one
in his employ. He was, therefore, quite
popular with his clerks, for besides being
ugreeable, he gave good wages and did not
work his employees to death. I hud been in
the counting house but six months, when
he one day called me asido and said :
" Christopher, how would you liko to
visit the West Indios?"
" I should be delighted, sir," I replied
" do you think of sending mo there '("
" Yes," he answered, " there is a little
matter concerning the shipment of some
sugar, that bociiib to give moro trouble
than I sco any necessity for. It's deliv
ery has been delayed so long and so many
excuses have been received in Regard to
the fulfilment of tho order, that I would
liko you to go out to Arecibn in the Man
uclitu, which sails in a few days. I will
give you instructions iu regard to your
action to-morrow."
" Very well, sir," I replied, " I'll be
ready, nnd I hope that I shall justify the
good opinion you have formed of my bus
iness qualities."
A week later I was on board tho good
scliooucr Munuclita, Captain Dobbin,
skimming awny over a summer sea. It
was the first timo I had ever been ( out
side of land and through tho weather was
pleasant and the ocean smooth, I was
nevertheless badly scu-sick for several
days. At the end of that period I wus on
deck trailing a hook und line ustern for
Spanish mackerel and baraennta. We
had delighted weather nil the . way out,
and made a tolerably speedy passage, I
had almost forgotten to say that ono of
Mr. Loring's reasons for selecting mo to
attend to his business, was the fact thut
I spoke Spanish fluently.
The last school I attended hud four or
five Cuban boys us pupils, I roomed with
a couplo of them, and very rapidly ac
quired their language.
It was a beautiful day when wo lot go
anchor in tho port of Arocibo. I must
confess I was not prepossessed with the
appearance of the place as viowed from
the dci-k of tho Manuelitu. The houses
seemed low, flat-roofed, and all of a dingy
color, and looked us if they wanted white
washing. As soon as Captain Dobbin
and myself dressed we took tho boat and
went on shore. , The cargo was consign
ed to tho house of Diaz & Domingues.
Armed with my credentials from Mr.
lioring, I walked with tho Captain to the
business place of tho firm und presented
my letters to Mr. Diaz, his partner being
absent in Europe. He wasa short, corpu
lent littlo mun, with iron gray hair, cut
exceedingly close to his head, nnd he had
keen black eyes that possessed a merry
twinkle. He read my' letters, shook
bunds cordially and insisted that I should
muke his liou.se my home during my
stay.'
That afternoon my baggage wus sent
on shore and I was introduced to the
family of Mr. Diaz, with the usual asser
tion thut everything in the house was ut
my disposal. This is a common phrase
out there, but it don't mean what it con
veys, and must not bo taken ' littcrally.
Otherwise I should have immediately ap
propriated the daughter of my host, ask
ed her father's blessing, and hunted up a
church nnd married her on sight. ' The
wife of Mr. Diaz was a good nutured little
woman, quite fat, with an excellent flow
of spirits, und was incessantly talking.
Amelia, the daughter, was about seven
teen, with jst black eyes uud huir, petit
figure and the clearest white complexion
I ever beheld. She was very pretty, in
deed, she is so still, and is now looking
over my shoulder as I write, and pulling
uie by the eur, culls iue a "scallawag."
She has learned this beautiful American
word, and sometime applies it very im
properly. But I must not anticipate. '
- During the thirty , days the schooner
was detained in port, I became very inti
mate with Mr. Diaz and family, and had
got deep in lovo with Amelia.-. I had not
neglected my bus'iuess, or rather Mr.
Loring's but arranged it satisfactorily,
and had written Mr. Loring of my suc
cess. Amelia Diuz returned my passion
tub rota. She informed me cordially,
that it would never do to lot her futhcr
suspect our attachment, us he would not
listen to our marrying, that he had se
lected a husband for her in the person of
a gentleman who lived iu San Juan, he
was old euough to be her father, but ho
was rich, and they thonght he would
make her an excellent husband. Sho
detested him; however, und if I would
run away with her sho would marry me
for she loved mo und she knew she
would never be happy if she married
Senor Valdez. The candor of the young
girl was something that gave me a new
sensation, and I determined to spoil the
matrimonial project of Mr. Vuldcz, if it
was in my power to do so. Let no one
ceusure mo if there was hypocrisy in my
conduct to the Diuz family, Remember,
reader, I was young, and pioroover deep
ly, wildly in love, and I thought in mat
ters of love everything was fair.
" What are we going to do then T" I
asked, with a natural aoxiety to learn her
views. " " ' ''" ':' '
u Quitn nultr,' she replied. ' ' ': '
" Oh, yes," I responded, "that'e the
invariable answer for everything. ' It
don't signify much, though." '
' " How can I telli" ' she replied ' in
English, (for the Dial family spoke our
tongue well) " what can I lay f "
" Will you surely marry tue, Amelia f"
I asked. .-ut .
" I am willing," alio replied, '' but you
could not find a priest here who would
oblige us. They all knew my father nnd
mother, and matters of this kind are done
differently from what they are in your
country. How delightful it must be in
your home, to marry whon you please
and whom you plcuso."
" Indeed, our case scorns a desperate
one," I answered thoughtfully, " and I
suppose it will require a desperate reme
dy. I must think over tho mutter to-day,
and to-morrow we'll talk again on the
subject."
1 worriod ond bothered myself nil day
long, and at length determined upon a
plan which ought to have occurred to
me nt tho very first. But my mind was
so perplexed and I was so madly in love
that it was impossible for me to bo cool
nnd collected for five consecutive min
utes. There were a number of vessels sailing
from Arccibo every little while, and more
than ono frequently departed upon the
same day. I learned that a brig culled
the Yajante was to sail at tho sumo time
the Manuclita was advertised. I knew
the captain, who had relatives in my part
of tho country, nnd wo hud struck up un
intimacy from this fact. I therefore
called on Captain Lake and stated that I
would like to return with him, nnd also
expressed a wish that ho would accom
modate a young friend of mino nlso.
" All right," he replied, " I will bo
hnppy to have you both, and think I can
make you comfortable."
I then sought Captain Dobbin, nnd in
formed him of my change.
" I'm sorry to lose you," he replied.
" but you'll find Dave L'ike a good fellow,
and I think you'll have better accommo
dations in his cabin than mine."
" I havo one favor to ask of you, cap
tain," I said-, " but I will not mention it
unless you give me your honor you will
not repent it. to Mr. Diaz or any one else
here.
The captain smiled. " Well," he said
" what is it? I promise you."
' Not to mention my returning in tho
ajanto, 1 replied.
" Oh, is that all ?" he answered. ' I'll
obligo you."
I then went to Amelia and told her all
I had done. Sho laughed heartily al
though it did not seem funny to me I
thought it very serious.
"Now, having nrranged nil this," I
said, " are you willing to run nway with
mo? Bemember, we can't get married
until we arrive in the United States ;
then I will marry you the instant we get
on shore.
I'm satisfied," she replied, " now
give me the hour of the vessel sailing,
und I ask no more."
I did ns she required, and then asked
hor how she was going to mnnuge
things.
" I'll pack a good many articles in
your truuks," sho replied, " and after
they are out of the house the rest will bo
easy." , .,
The day before the ' Bailing of the Ya
jante, I wus so apprehensive something
would happen to mur our scheme thut I
could not swalluw a mouthful of food.
I told Mr. Diuz that I did not feel very
well. Amelia looked , at me from un
der her eyelids. I felt very guilty,
and I think she must havo experienced
a similar feeling, though she seemed us
gay ns a bird. Thut day my baggage was
sent on board the brier. Amelia hud pack
ed hor wardrobe'away very snugly in my
trunks, towards, afternoon 1 took a
stroll with her on the beach. ' '
' " Be under mv window at eleven to
night," she said, "nnd l will' join you;
don't a'sk me any questions, but simply
act as I propose.
The boat was to be on shore for mo by
midnight., at the Yajante was to sail at
daybreak tho next morning, I spent a
pleasant .evening wiih the Diaz family,
and at ten o'clock bid them adieu, Amelia
included. '
I gave Mi1. Diaz a cordial invitation to
visit me if he ever came to the United
States. Little did he imagine when he
thanked me thnt he would so soon avail
himself of my invitation. '
I wandered about tho town until eleven
o'clock, and then stood beneath Amelia's
window,- with my heurt thumping loud
enough for her to have heard it. Pres
ently I saw a form balanced on the win
dow sill, and then a small rope fell at my
feet. ' A moment after she glided lightly
down and was beside me. There wus no
moon, but I could seo she was arrayed in
male ut tiro. , I knew this would be her
costume, for we had arranged all thut.
Cutching her by the hand wo made our
way to the beach, und the bout soon after
arrived, when we embarked. A pang
shot through my heart when we got on
board, to observe thut Amelia had sacri
ficed her beautiful hair to the shears.
With womanly judgment, however,, she
had saved It so that when she arrived
she could make use of It. I introduced
her as my friend Mr. Diaz.
' ' " Belong to the family of Mr. Benito
DlasT" asked Captain Lake -
" Yes, we are related," answered
Amelia. -,. " '' '
- When I got an opportunity I asked her
if she thought her' father would get a
clue as to wheVe slid had gone.' -
"I should think so," she replied j " I
left a note behind me telling hnn every
thing it was necessary tostute. But we II
lie far away, I hope, ere he reads it." ,
Amelia's state-room was directly oppo-1
site mine. 1 was awakened by her call
ing me.
"What's ull the noiHO about?" sho
asked.
" We are getting under way," I an
swered. " Why, it's dark," she exclaimed.
" Daylight will soon be here," I re
plied. By seven o'clock we wero flying away
with as much canvas as tho Yujanto
could carry, and the low outline of tho
coast was barely discernable. Amelia
gazed at it long and wistfully and for the
first timo I saw her eyes were wet.
I comprehended her thoughts and
whispered, " You shall never regret it."
She smiled sadly and then descended
to her state-room.
It was a beautiful day in September
when we stepped nshoro ut Baltimore.
I cannot depict Captain Lake's astonish
ment when ho saw Amelia appecr on deck
in her proper costumo, and learn for the
first time whom ho had been carrying for
a passenger. An hour did not elapse
ere Amelia was my own wedded wife.
" How nicely you manage things in
your country," she remarked.
I laughed, for I felt very happy.
A few days after we arrived at the
cud of our journey. Mr. Loring was
surprised at my not returning in tho Man
uclita, but was glad to see me.
I cot a quiet boarding-houso whero I
took my wifo, and we began to be very
comfortable. When obout a couple of
weeks luter, as 1 was sitting at my desk
in the counting-room, I got a hurried
noto from Amelia to hasten home as soon
possible. I became alarmed, and ran ns
fast as I could until I reached the house.
My wifo met mo at the front door ; she
was a good deal agituted.
" Bo calm," sho said, " my father is
here. He followed us immediately in
a vessel which sailed a few days after
ours, lie is very angry, but I know him
bettor than you do. Take it calmly and
don't make any irritating reply, and he'll
soon forgivo us."
I have seen some stormy men in my
time, but Mr. Diaz boat them nil for pas
sion. Ho called mo somo pretty ugly
names, that I would not liko uttered by
any one who wus not my father-in-law.
He declared he would shoot mo nnd
tear mo to atoms, with luuny other polite
and agreeable phrases, nnd after going
through the tragic until breath and lan
guage failed him he gracefully glided into
the ludicrous by opening ' his arms and
embracing Amelia ond myself and for
giving us. had to laugh, for I could
not restruin myself. - Mr. Diaz laughed
too. We were a happy fumily thut night.
Strange things come, to pass. Mr.
Diaz and his wife havo come to the
United States to reside nnd live over the
way just opposite to us. " Mamma Diaz"
is now standing ut her window and look
ing ut my little two year old Benito, who
is shuking his fist nt her and culling out
-Mira." ..... .
Not She Bears.
A TRAVELING showman visited
(Juebee some years ago, and exhib
ited through the streets a couple of duno
ing grizlios, .;. , .,!.,,
He had tho animals securely fastened
together by u chain, and led them by a
strup or rope. Notwithstanding this ap
parent security, some of the citizens irrew
uneasy at the fear of the possibilities of
evil winch might tollow on the brouking
Joose .of cither or I oth of the dancers. ...
The dancing, always comical enough
from its clumsiuess, was well 'done, and
iittrafted the attention of a large crowd.
The authorities interfering, the man wus
arrested for mantuining a dungorous nuis
ance. It was in vain that he protested
thut tho performances of his beurs were
nntuttcuded with danger to the publie.
The police iiisistod that the bears were
dangerous animals. The poor showman
urged that whatever dangors might result
to the public from tho loose performances
of ordinary bears, these beurs were so
harmless, und so completely under his
control, thut he wus sure they would in
flict injury to nobody. It was in vain.
The police murched him, and his beurs
to tho stution house, the bears jovially
stepping along on their hiud legs, und
pei forming us they went, such curious
antics us to attract iiiom attention than
before.
Arriving ut the police court, a hearing
was hud, and testimony wus taken us to
the general hurtful disposition of bears,
authorities us fur buck us tho history of
the times of Elislm being cited, to prove
the destructive habits, especially of she
benrs. After which the showman asked
if he might, be allowed to nut in a little
testimony in behalf of his bears. Leave
being grunted him. he said he would pro
ceed to show that they were not she
hears, and thut their habits were so dif
feient from those of tho rest of the beur
family, that the apprehensions felt in
regard to them were eutiroly uu founded.
He guve a low whistle, and suid, " Come
out, boys !" In an instant the bears open
ed, and out from their skins jumped two.
lively bojs. each with a grin on his face,
from ear to eur. ;. The spectators wero
convulsed with luughter, tho court joined
in the merriment, uud the' showman uud
hia family wero buffered to depart in
...;; .1 .1 .. -
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