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A AAA?. M ffl riV,
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' AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 'VoTfZVJZXr
Vol. VI Now Bloomflcld, Tuesday, Ieoeiiilei- 3, 1872. TVo. 49.
ljt Ioomfidli imts.
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Thompson's Visit to the City.
MY mother had a brother named Abi
jah Lines. He was a seafaring man,
and had for years commanded a Bhip out
of the port of Boston, where ho was very
popular in the commercial community.
He was unmarried, and I was named after
him. Several times in my life I remember
to have seen him when he paid my mother
a short visit, and brought pretty presents
from abroad. He appeared to take an in
terest in me and always left me a small tum
Of money at his departure, and hinted that
he would do better by me in case I turned
out a good boy and smart.
I was sixteen years old, but I was often
taken to be much older, as I was large for
my age, when my mother received a letter
from Uncle Bigh as wo called him telling
her that ho would arrive in Boston on or
about a certain date and expressing a wish
that she would send me to meet him, prom
ising to return with me aud make her a
visit. He gave explicit directions where I
would find the hotel at which I was to stop,
and said he had. written to the proprietor,
who was a friend of his, requesting him to
make me comfortablo and have an eye to
me until his arrival.
I havn't been in Boston since I was a
lad, said my father ; faith I wibh Captain
Bigh had invited me too. It s a great city,
he continued, addressing me, and there's
lots to be seen there, and you, my son are
of an ago when the mind is generally in
quisitive, be careful that you don't fall into
any -mischief.
I'm not afraid of that, interposed my
mother. Bigh has been too carefully
brought up to go astray in the few days he
will be awaiting his uncle's arrival. Be
sides, you see my brother has written to
the gentleman who keeps the hotel where
he is to stop to have a care over him. No
donbt this worthy will never let him out of
his sight, but will take him about and show
him all that is worth seeing. Oh I Bigh,
you'll have plenty to toll me when you re.
tum.
What are you counting your fingers for ?
inquired my father looking up from the
book he was reading.
I was reckoning, replied my mother, how
long my brother has been following the sea.
It's thirty-five years. In this time he
must have saved a good deal of money.
Shouldn't wonder if he was rich. Our son
is his1 namesake, and she Bmiiod signifi
cantly, t
My father nodded his head and his eyes
twinkled merrily as my mother and him.
uelf exchanged glaneos. . ,
I wasn't such a fool that I didn't under-
utand the thoughts that were passing
through their minds. I was to be the heir
f Captain Abijah Lines, was to inherit his
money and be a gentleman. It wasn't a
bad reflection.
Tho day of my departure camo and found
me ready to start away on my trip. My
mother had stored my mind with good ad
vice and as a talisman had placed in my
trunk . a book entitled "The Puritan's
' Breastplate; or the Way to Get Along."
It was a work of four hundred pages, small
type, and I can't imagine when and how
'' she expected me to read It.
Everything went well, and I arrived in
Boston safely. ' At Once proceeding to the
Sculpln bouse I registered my name Abijali
Lines Thompson, Nottlefown, 'arid' was
shown to my room.- The clerk informed
me that the proprietor was absent from the
city; but that, be had opened my . uncle'
letter and would try and render me con
tented until Captain Lines' arrival.
After I had washed off ome of the dust
from my, face, I. drejtsed myself in my best
suit and arae down stairs.
The first thing that Btruck my eyes wore
several long sofas arranged against tho
wall of the haTI, on which a dozen or more
nicely dressed gentlemen were sitting.
One of them had a small broom in his hand
which he kept whisking about in an artis
tic way. As I passed along ho winked at
me. Thinking he was inclined to be so
ciable and I felt lonely I walked up and
took a seat by his side and began tolling
him my history. Pretty soon I heard a boll
ring, when up jumps one of the gentlemen
and runs to the office.
" What's that for?" I aBked.
Why, ye see, said one of them with a
strong foreign accent, we're allwaitinto
see distinguished gists who have arrived.
Now if ye'lt watch, every little while ye'll
obsarve on of us gintlcman admitted to
the ground parlor up stairs, whore our
friends are waitin us.
Are there many distinguished persons at
present in the hotel? I innocently inquired.
Ah 1 replied my informant, laughing
don't you know there is ? Lot mo Bee, he
said, reflecting there's tho Dook of Dorry,
and Dr. O'Kano, that's related to Daniel
O'Councll ; there's siveral numbers of Par
liament, besides a number of our own Sino
tors and such like.
"Indeed." I replied, " I had no idea of
tho fact."
Is your name Mr. Thompson?"' said a
boy.
I replied in tho affirmative.
" The clerk would like to see you at tho
office."
I walked to tho place indicated, where I
was handed a note which, on opening, I
found to read thus:
No. 45 Mali.ouy Tkurack.
Mr. Bristow's compliments to Mr. Thom
son, and would be glad to have him call
around this evening without any ceremony,
and take a sociablo cup of tea.
A slight mistake had occurred in writing
my name, but I didn't suppose tho omis
sion of a single letter made any difference.
Buhold me, then, at Ave P. M. tho same
evening, on the steps of a stately mansion
awaiting admission.
A small bald-headed gentleman soon
came down into the parlor and warmly
shook me by tho hand. . ,
I got a lettor from your uncle," ho
said, " and I shall be very glad to show you
all the attention in my power, but you
have arrived just as I am leaving the city
on business, so I pray you will excuse mo.
My wife and daughter will entertain you
in my absence.",
Mrs. Bristow and daughter soon enter
ed, and I w:ts introduced. . The mother
looked as young as the daughter., This oc
casioned me some surprise, but I found
qut afterwards that she was Mr. Bristow's
tlvKd wife. ' ,
Arilie Bristow family seemed sociable, I
quickly got on easy terms with them, par
ticularly the daughter, who was a spright
ly young lady and full of fun.
Bailie Biistow was what uncle Bigh,
would, I suppose, call a smart girl. She
played the piano, wrote verses aud taught
school. As the family Appeared wealthy,
I couldn't understand why she should be a
school teacher, but she confidently told mo
one day that most girls in Boston like to be
independent, whether their parents were
rich or not, so they preferred making some
money themselves. Mr. Bristow was gone
from home a. week, and during this time I
called every day upon his wife and daugh
ter. Uncle Bigh had not arrived, but was
expected momentarily. I was having a
good time in BoBton. I wrote home every
night before going to bed, giving an ac
count of my doings. The Bristow family
came in for a largo share of my remarks.
At length Mr. Bristow returned ; In tho
meantime I had becomo highly pleased
with his family. It was the the first eve
ning of his return and up to this moment I
had scarcely exchanged a dozeu words with
h'.m.
We were sitting in the parlor, aud Mr.
Bristow had just entered ' and shook bands
with me when there camo : a pull at the
door-bell. A card ' was handed in. , I saw
Mr. Bristow change color and glance at me
with some confusion, and tho next moment
a tall gentlomanly young man entered the
room and exteuded his band. ' Mr. Bristow
whispered a few words . to his wife,, who
beckoned me into the library and requested
me to wait there a few moments until she
or hec husband returned, i . . l ," " ,
Full of amazement and wondering what
It jUI could mean, ,1 awaited the solution.
In a little while Mr. Bristow entered with
his face half grave and hah" smiling. ...
. "I fear, roy dear sic," he said, "there
has been some mistake. Mr.. Thompson who
has just arrived, is the gentleman I expec
ted and not yourself. The mistake is one
of easy explanation. My friond Mr. Liv
ingston wrote me that his nephew would
arrive at the Sculpin House about the time
you got there. An accident caused him
somejdelay, so you see my note was hand
ed to you by mistake. As I had never
seen Mr. Thompson or yourself, and more
over, was then leaving home and had no
opportunity to converse with you, the mis
take was not apparent. The arrival of
Mr. Thompson explains the whole pro
ceeding. I wish you good evening, Mr.
Thompson."
Abashed and mortified, I left Mallory
Terrace in no very pleasant state of mind.
Neither Mrs Bristow or Sallio vouohsafed
mo a good bye.
Why should they? They didn't know
me. I might have been the son of a scav
inger ; what evidence had they of my re
spectability, and if they did have, what
difference would it make ?
I was glad when Undo Bigh arrived. I
told him the story, but he only laughed and
said that it was a thing that might any
time occui.
A couple of weeks later and I was ready
to return homo with Uncle Bigh and I was
not sorry to have a prospect of seeing my
quiet birth-place again, for I was becoming
Bick of city experiences.
The morning wo were to start my Uncle
took me down"town, 1 intending to go to
bank and draw some money. We had
about an hour only to take the stage before
its starting. Just as we were near the
bank we met the merchant in whoso employ
Uncle sailed. '
"Capt. Linos," he said, "one moment,
if you please," and took my Uncle by the
arm.
Here Jiigli, ' said tlie latter, "you run
into tho bank there and get the money
while I speak to Mr. Coxton."
I took the check and went into the bank
without noticing an individual who was by
my side. '.'''
The check was cashed and I was on the
point of emerging into tho street when the
man who had entered tho bank with me
came running after.
"The teller," he said, "would be glad
if you couuted your money, he thinks he
has given you too littlo."
I took the roll of notes from my pocket
and was about to count them when the
stranger said, ' Let mo assist you," and
before I could interpose he snatched the
money from my hands aud commenced
counting it ou his knee.
"It's all correct,"; ho said, " but you
shouldn't carry money that way," and he
forthwith slid it dexterously into an enve
lope which he sealed aud handed to me.
I was only going to take it across the
street to my Uncle," I replied.
" Oh, is that all ?" he responded, " well,
there's no barm in having it safe even for
that short distanoe."
, When I reached Uncle Bigh's side he
was still talking to Mr. Coxton. I handed
him the envelope, which he opened and
then looked at me with an inquiring air.
"What does this mean?" he said, hold.
ing between his Augers a roll of waste
paper. ' ...
"Indeed I don't know, sir," I replied,
and at once explained how the teller had
sent a messenger requesting me to oount
the money, aud how he had assisted me
and sealed up tho amount to prevent my
losing it. :
. Mr. Coxton and my uncle exchanged
glances, while the latter merely ejaculated,
country ass, aud then darted oft" to the po
lice office.
. Somebody had Ave hundred dollars that
didn't belong to him.
As for myself, Uncle Abijah Lines, tho
tho following day, saw mo seated in the
stage for my home. .
. He had changed his mind and wouldn't
make the visit.
Ho placed in my hand an envelope con
taining some raggod newspaper, Qive that
to your mother, my nephew, and toll her it
represents Ave hundred dollars.
, I'll pans over, my reception at home
when the true state of things came to be
explained. . My mother thought if, I had
read the "Puritan's Breastplate" I might
have been preserved from muthap. ,
I never went to Boston again ou an invi
tation from Uncle Bigh,
.. 13HA youthful stranger at Omaha fell
in love at first sight. ,wltb a photograph ex.
hiblted la an outside' show-case, : .went up
stairs end inquired, the name of the fair
orlgiuat, procured an introduction, called
upon aud courted, her,-and now, coining
Christmas, will marry her." i. ...
How I was Sold.
"Excuse me sir."
I drew aside with an apologetic bow.
I think sho was one of the prettiest women
I had ever scon. And dressed in such ad
mirable taste, with such eyes and such
complexion, and the tip of the bronzed
boots was tiny and delicate enough for
Cupid himsolf if he should ever be conver
ted to decent apparel.
I was on the Sacramento boat, an un
protected bachelor and often given to the
indulgence of soft dreams about the future
partner in a house and lot of my own and
a moderate salary.
The lady who brushed against me with
that silvery "Excuse me, Bir," took a seat
in the end of the long cabin, and somehow
or other I found mysolf after the boat
started unconsciously drifting in the same
direction. She was immersed in the pnsres
of a Godcy's Lady's Book, and I glanced
at a delicious white hand from which the
lavendar glove had been half withdrawn.
Presently a man-moustor npproached and
seated himself by tho side of the object of
my observations, with a familiarity which
foolishly enough displeased me.
' We will stay only one night in Sacra
mento," he remarked, consulting a small
time tablo which he took from his pocket.
" And thon"
"Proceed immediately to our Anal des
tination."
This was not very satisfactory to mo and
I became more interested than ever in the
young people. Tho mail's complexion was
dark and slightly pock marked, tho lady's
was fair. Ho could hardly be her brother
perhaps a husband or lover, or something
of that sort.
" I'll trouble you for a match, sir."
Here was a chance to open a conversa
tion, and as I handed tho dark man a match
I remarked that, " 1 thought I would walk
outside and take a smoke myself."
"Strango weather for July," said tho
dark man, puffing his cigar whilst gazing
meditatively at Alcatraz Island, which we
were just passing.
" Remarkable," I rejoined, and then we
glided into various topios. and in the
course of our conversation, exchanged
invitations, and became quite intimate be
fore we came abreast of lied Rock.
" My sister (ah 1 she was a sister only)
and myself, said the dark man, "are
about to spend a month at White Sulpher
Springs before our return east. Are you
bound in that direction."
" Yes, I go to Sacramento."
After we leave tho Springs we will spend
one day in the city. Let me give you an
introduction to my sinter. Mary, this is
Mr. Peagreen, of San Francisco, traveling
our way. -i , . i ,.
I bowed low and chuckled inwardly at
the success of my stratagem.' I found the
lady to be extremely agreeable, and we
chatted cosily together for an hour or so,
while the dark man paced up and down
on the deck outside. , She told me that her
father was a New York merchant, and that
her brother and herself were finishing a
tour Of the Paciflo States. The bell rung
for dinner, and the dark man entered the
saloon, mid together we proceeded to tho
dining room. My fair companion had an
excellent appetite. Horonslaugh on the
vegetables was actually fearful.
Having concluded our meal, we passed
the colored steward. The dark man asked
the waiter for change for a twenty dollar
greenback. To avoid the delay of making
up the discount, I put a couple of dollars in
his baud. My companion thanked me and
said ho would refund the money as soon as
he got the change.
" Can you oblige me," he said when we
sat again in the saloon, " by giving me
gold for some of these greenbacks, say
forty dollars to meet the day's wants of
our journey?"
'Certainly," I answered, and handed
him the amount, while he calculated the
difference on the back of a card.
Stuffing the greenbacks, which were
crisp and new, into my vest-pocket,
again engaged in a conversation with the
fair Mary. . i .
. Wheu we ai rived at Yallejo we lost sight
of the dark man for a few moments, while
I stood by bit sister gallantly holding her
satchel.'.' Suddenly he rushed np to us,
saying in a hurried manner: ' .1
" Mary, , I must return to , San Francis
oo by this boat., What's to , be done? I
have had at dispatch which hi imperative."
. " But our uuelo will expect us this eve-ping-".,
.. , , , ,i, ,
!' Still you cannot go , alone , to , jthe
Springs." ,,y 'v. , V. .:!;i i
, ,. " If you will '.allow me to be the lady's
escort," said I, "I will gladly give her in
charge to her relative, as I am in no hur
ry a day at theBpnugs would he pleasant.
1 lie lady looked grateful, and blushingly
accepted my offer.
"All aboard," shouted the conductor.
and we took a seat in the cars, after an
affectionate kiss had been exchanged by
the parties with whom I had became so
curiously associated.
Will you chance some greenbacks for
me," said my fair charmer before we had
been long together, " but 1 must trust to
you for the calculation of the difference."
"I will take them at par from you, i
answered, w'.th a look of devotion.
"Oh you are bo kind."
I never was so nmud of niv emmctm?
manners before. My heart was going from
me in small particles. At Napa junction
she looked from the window near her, ex
claiming: " Why there is my uuelo on the plat
form. Excuse me fur a moment; I will seo
him and bring him in," and she left the car.
1 he bell rung and 1 became uneasy. 1
ran out on the platform to warn her and
her uncle, but could discover no trace of
them. Tho cars moved off, and I sat down
biting my nails for tho next half hour,
Anally concluding that they would follow
in the next train, I resolved to stop off at
St. Helena. .
" Excuse mr, sir, but where is the lady
you were riding with?"
1 turned sharply round, and saw a quiot,
gentlemanly man standing at my elbow.
" She got out at Napa junction; but may
I inquire what is that to you?"
"Fooled, by George!" exclaimed my
interrogator. " Slippery Nell is off again.
" What do you mean," I exclaimed.
" Mean ? why the best counterfeiter in
America has escaped me, and her pal too.
Did sho ask you to chaugo any greenbacks,
young man ?"
Stunned and mystified,.. I exhibited the
greenbacks I had received from Mary and
hor brother to tho detective, for such I
guessed him to be.
"Well," he ejaculated, "you have been
taken in to the tone of $00, but if it is any
consolation to you, you have boon swindled
by the sharpest brace of thieves in Ameri
ca. My confidence in human nature is shat
tered to the base. Of woman I entertain
no opinion. The priest or parson who is to
hear my marriage vow, is not yet born.
A Flogging by Proxy.
Many years ago, there lived in a beauti
ful little country town in North Alabama,
a genial, warm-hearted old gentleman,
Judge II , woll-known throughout the
State as well for his distinguished ability
as his marked generosity and congeniality.
Among his chattel posse ssions was a negro
named Jake, or as he was more familiarly
called Uncle Jake, and there never lived a
more provoking old darkey ; for uncle Jake,
although a favorite, had many weaknesses,
and among others ho was particularly re
gardless of truth, to such an extent in fact
that occasionally the good old Judge found
it necessary to punish him. It was the
custom in those days for the town constable
to administer a flogging for a consideration
whenever the master was disinclined to
officiato, and the constable of this particu
lar town had a severe reputation for pro
ficiency among the darkies who had now
and then been so unfortunate as to come
under bis hands.
'Jake, although he had never been there,
was well posted, and had a great repug
nance to Massa Q , who was the in
cumbent at that timo. On one occasion,
during the Christmas days, while the old
judge was quite severely indisposed, Uncle
Jake had been guilty of a misdemeanor,
and punishment was deemed necessary, so
the judge wrote a note to the constable
about as follows:
"Mr. G : Please give the bearer
thirty-nine lashes and charge to me.
Juduk H."
Calling on Uncle Jake, the judge ordered
him to carry the note to G ,who
would give him a grubbing hoe.
Jake started off up town, but his sus
picions wore aroused. He couldn't under
stand what tho judge wantod with a grub
bing hoe at Christmas timo, and his con
science was not as clear as it should have
been. The result of his suspicion was that
the truth suddenly Hashed upon him ho
was to be whipped. Seoing a school-boy
approaching, he took out the note and said:
" Massa Bob, what in dis note ? Got so
many dis morning I got 'em mixed."
Tho boy read the note and explained its
contents to Jake, who whistled and laugh
ed to himself as a bright idea struck him.
Calling to a negro boy, who was near, Jake
said:
"Boy, does you want to make a qnarter?"
" Of course I does."
" Well, take dis note down dar, to Massa
G an' git a grubben boe, and I wait
here 'till you comes back, an' den I gives
you a quartor." ,
. The boy hurried off to accomplish his er-
raud, and in due course of time delivered
tho note to G -, who took him into tho
yard, locked the gate, and proceeded, de
spite the boy's protestations of innocence,
to administer the desired flogging, while
Juke hurried off home, chuckling over the .
happy result of what might have been
serious business for him. ' I "' i
. That evening, tho judge culled him up
and inquired:
"Jake, did you get the grubbing?"
" No, massa. I give a boy a quarter to
foteh dat note to Massa 0 and I
spec be got dat hoe."