VOL. XI.
THE TIMES.
Au Independent Family Newspaper,
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Within Hie County
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cation. geleft Poetry.
Lines to a Fat-cinating Young Lady.
I've been In love eome sixty times
And always thought the newest fairest,
I've strung at least a million rhymes,
Though not to forms like that thou vrearest.
Some have been short and others tall,
Some have been plump and others slender,
But. slim or dnmpy, large or small,
To thine their brightest charms surrender.
To flirt with for a month or year
One might select a different figure,
Less size, less heart, of course less dear,
With rather less of health and vigor.
But for a friend ye gods ! a wife,
To live for, fight for, love forever,
I never saw in all my life
One near bo perfect never, never !
I am in earnest so don't laugh,
Thou precious, merry, darling creatnre !
I'd rather see thy Bmiles by half
Irradiate each wlnBomo feature,
Than all the splendid sights that night
Reveals beneath her starry glories,
Or, steeped in day's most lovely light,
The scenes of old, old stories.
With thee companioned, one might go
Content through life's low vale of sorrow,
And blesBed at present, care to know
But little of the dim to-morrow.
Tet fare thee well I 'tis vain for mo
To conjure up joy's glowing vision ;
My last thought is a sigh for thee,
And thine a sigh of deep derision.
How a Wife Was Lost.
11 rvEAK MK ! I'm surel don't know
xJ what to do ; if ever anybody was
in a fix I'm in one now."
"What is it, auntie, can't I help you
out of your fix ?"
" Sakesalive! no, Lutiedear,you can't
help me one bit."
" Now, don't say that, auntie; I'm
certain I can be of service to you if you
will only allow me. "Why, I've been here
a whole week,and I've done nothing but
dress,read,eat and sleep, and I'm as use
less as the stuffed owl upon the bookcase
in the library, and more in the way."
" Why, child '." and good Mrs. Bently
stopped in her work of preparing a tur
key for the market, and looked lovingly
upon her neice. " I tlon't like to hear
you talk that way. Why, bless your
dear heart, the loved child of my dead
sister can never be in the way."
" Well, auntie, I shall not feel like
coming out here to spend another
Thanksgiving if you will not allow me
to be of some service during my stay.
Come, tell me all nliout your fix and see
if I am not worth something besides
running around and amusing myself
while other Teopleare making themselves
useful."
" Oh, Lutie ! there is nothing you can
do, although I'll tell you all about it to
pacify you. You see, all this poultry
and a lot of butter and eggs were to be
delivered to-day in the city. For the day
after to-morrow is Thanksgiving; and
Jonas, our hired man, is sick with a
cold, and can't leave his bed ; your uncle
is away, arid won't be home till to-morrow
night, and how under the sun I am
going to deliver these things according
to contract, is more than I can tell."
To Mrs, Bently 's surprise, Lutie clap
ped her hands and danced around the
room crying
"Just the thing! capital I capital!"
" What on earth do you mean,chlld?"
she managed to say, at last.
" Why, that I will go to market and
deliver the goods myself. Now don't say
one word, auntie," she continued as her
aunt elevated her hands and opened her
mouth as if to give vent to an " Oh I"
" Don't Bay one word ; the idea just suits
. me, and I am determined to go if you
will allow me," she added.
"What, you! the daughter and heir
ess of Judge Haines,? You, the belle of
. the city, going to market with turkeys,
butter and eggs !"
" Yes, auntie, and I oan do It just as
NEW BLOOMFIEID, IA.., TUESDAY,
well as Jonas would. Now don't oppose
me ? That's a good, dear soul."
Mrs. Bently really felt distressed to
know how to fulfill hercontract,and was
thankful for the prospect of assistance,
but she could hardly reconcile herself to
the idea that her niece, the beauty and
heire9 of whom she was proud, should
perform the role of a market girl.
Lutie 's arguments, however.prevnlled,
and she went to her room to prepare for
her expedition. Borrowing a short
dress from the "help," she donned It
and then folded a shawl in the shape of
a mantle across her shoulders, and with
her rich tresses hanging over her shoul
ders, she looked like a lovely country
girl. Placing a dainty hat upon her.
head, she tripped down to the kitchen
for her aunt's inspection.
" Well, I do declare !" exclaimed that
worthy lady, " whoever would know
you'? Why, Lutie, if I had met you face
to face I should never have guessed it
was you if I hadn't known."
" I am glad to hear you say so auntie,
for I don't propose to be recognized by
any one. on, 'twill te rare fun," and
with a gay laugh she waltzed out of the
room. " Are the tilings all ready ?" she
asked, stopping to take breath.
" Yes, but the old horse must be har
nessed ; can you do it V"
" I don't know, auntie, I think so; at
least I can try."
She skipped away to the stable, and
after an hour's patient toil she led old
Billy up to the door, all harnessed and
attached to the wagon. In a short time
the said wagon was filled with the im
portant articles for somebody's Thanks
giving, and Lutie climbed to the high
seat took the reins and whip with a flour
ish which would have done credit to a
coachman.
" Have you got some warm gloves?"
asked Mrs. Bently.
" Nothing but kid, but they will be
warm enough."
" No indeed, they won't; wait a mo
ment." She hastened into the house
and brought out a pair of woolen mit
tens. " Here, put these on, Lutie, you
will need them, for it is very cold."
Lutie obeyed, and the plump little
hands looked exceedingly " funny," as
the young lady expressed it. In a few
moments more, having received her in
structions, Lutie drove away.
" Don't forget to deliver those four
largest turkeys at Colonel Ormsby's,"
called out her aunt.
"Oh, no; but you haven't told me
where he lives," saldLutie,stopping and
waiting for the information.
" I declare, I don't know, but you can
find out at the market where you are to
deliver the rest."
" I think I can find it," replied Lutie,
and drove off.
In due time she arrived at the market.
Explaining the cause of her coming, she
delivered the articles that were to go
there.and then inquired for the residence
of Colonel Ormsby.
" I cannot tell you, miss," replied the
proprietor; " but if you'll step into that
little restaurant on the corner, I think
you will find out."
IiUtie hesitated ; should she allow her
self to enter a third-class saloon where
she would be likely to come in contact
with low follows who make such places
their daily resort? In a moment she
decided to go.
Lightly she tripped across the street,
and of the slovenly looking girl behind
the counter she made her inquiry.
" I don't know, myself, miss, but if
you will wait a few minutes I'll go into
the kitchen and ask one of the girls who
used to live there."
Again Lutie hesitated. She disliked
the idea of remaining here even forafew
minutes. What if some of heraequaint
ances should chance to puss.au d, looking
in, recognize hei ? Seeing she hesitated
the girl said :
" If you dou'tlike to wait here,you can
step into the sitting room."
Lutie confessed she would rathergo in,
so the girl threw open the door of the
sitting room and Lutie entered, but start
ed back and almost fuinted, for there,
seated at a table, with a bottle of some
kind of liquor before him, and a half
emptied glass In his hand, she beheld
Leon Lancaster, her affianced husband.
"Hoi ho! my pretty one," he cried,
rising and coming toward her with a
drunken leer upon his face which made
him actually loathsome. " What do you
fear that you look so alarmed ? 1 will
not harm you ; come, give me a kiss."
" Back !" she cried, raising her hand.
" Ah! the little beauty Is going to be
dignified, isn't she? but you -.must be
more kind ; give me a kiss."
'Back, I soy!" or I will call assist
ance. I merely caine to make an inqui
ry of one of the servants, and did not
expect to meet a drunken villain."
" How spirited she is. 1 like that,".
he said stooping and picking up a mit
ten she had dropped. "Ah!" he con
tinued, starting back, as he noticed a
magnificent ring she wore upon her
forefinger, " where did you get that ring?
Let me see it, won't you ?"
"No, I will not."
" Where did you get it?"
" It matters not now, since I came by
it honestly. I will give it to you the
next time I see you."
" But I must see it now," and he steiv
ped toward her.
" Stand back !"
" I will see that ring."
" You shall not, sir!'"
"We will see."
Ho saying he caught her by the shoul
der, but as quick as wink the little hand
came down with a smarting blow upon
his cheek. i
"I'll have a kiBS for that, I swear!"
he cried ; and holding her fast, he press
ed kiss after kiss upon her lips.
At length, by a violent effort, shefreed
herself from his grasp, and rushed from
the room, when he called after her:
" I shall keep the mitten, my dear,un
til we meet again."
The girl now entered the front shop,
whither Lutie had fled from the em
brace of Leon Lancastar. She s received
the desired information and hurried
away.
She completed her business and drove
home minus one mitten, but she was so
thoroughly angry that she did not notice
that one hand was numb with the cold
when she got there.
. Thanksgiving day arrived, and with it
numerous guests came to enjoy the good
old festivities nt Farmer Bently's. Lutie
had taken a fancy to spend the week
with her auntie, nnd when she left her
city home for that purpose,it was under
stood that Leon Lancastar should come
out and take dinner with her on Thanks
giving Day. As he was Lutle's afflauced
husband ho was of course a great favorite
of Mr. Bently.
Before the dinner hour arrived, Lutie
went to her room to dress. j
" Hurry down, Lutie," said her aunt,
" for the company have nearly all arriv
ed, and I wish to introduce you before
dinner to those with whom you are un
acquainted." 1
" I will, auntie ; and here let me beg of
you not to find fault with my dress when
I come down," said Lutie.
"Of course not, child; wear what
pleases you ; only be quick for Leon will
soon be here."
Lutie bounded awoy wearing a queer
expression upon her beautiful face, and
Mrs. Bently bustled away to watch the
progress of the preparation for dinner.
In a few moments a stylish turnout
drove up to the door, and Leon Lancas
tar, looking strikingly handsome, in
elegant attire, sprang out, and after be
ing cordially greeted by Mr. Bently, en
tered the house, where Mrs. Bently met
him, escorted him into the parlor and
introduced him to the guests already
there assembled.
" Where is Lutie ?" he asked,showlng
the least particle of annoyance that she
had not been there to greet him when hi
first came.
" She is in her room finishing her toi
let, I suppose. She will be in in a min
ute," replied Mrs. Bently.
As she left the parlor and passed
through the hall, Lutie came tripping
down stairs. Mrs. Bentlygaveoneglance
at her attire end exclaimed :
" Why, Lutie Haines, are you crazy?"
" Never more sane in my life auntie.
Will you present me to your guests
now?"
" What do you mean, Lutie ?"
"Never mind; I'll explain after a
while," sold Lutie.
She wore the same costume in which
she hod gone to the market two days
before. Upon one hand she wore one of
the mittens which Mrs. Bently had urg
ed her to wear upon the occasion refer
red to.
Mrs. Bently offered uo further opposl
FEBRUARY 0, 1877.
tion, and led the way to the purlor, fol
lowed by Lutie, whom she introduced to
the party assembled.
A portion of thein looked with sur
prise upon the costume of Lutie, and
others noticed only the rare beauty of
her face.
She greeted them with a queenly ,grace
ful bow, and advancing to Leon Lancas
tar she said :
" Mr. Lancastar, I think I promised
at our last meeting that when next we
should meet I would exchange this ring
for the mate of this mitten," and she
removed the gemmed circlet from her
finger.
He started to his feet.
" Great Heavens 1" he cried, turning
pale, " what does this mean ?"
" It means, sir, that I am the person
whom you met In a low .restaurant on
street, and whom you so grossly
insulted, mistaking me for a poor market
girl. It was a freak of fancy which
prompted me to assume this dress and
take some things to market forauntie,as
uncle was away and her hired man was
ill. I shall alwnyB thank my lucky stars
that I was led to do so, for thereby I
learned your true character," she re
plied, her beautiful eyes flashing looks of
withering scorn and contempt upon
him.
" Lutie , there is some mistake about
this. I-"
" Say no more, sir ; I am not mistaken;
I saw you there in a state of intoxication
nnd you grossly insulted me; aye, you
even dared to lay violent hands on me.
Here Is your ring ; take it ; I never wish
to see you again I" and she flung the
bauble at his feet, nnd swept from the
room.
When she returned in a short time
after, dressed in her blooming attire,and
looking regally beautiful, the seat which
Leon Lancastar had occupied, was va
cant. She entered with zest into the festivi
ties and rejoiced that she had been saved
from marryinga man wholly unworthy
to bear the name of husband.
A GOOD RELIGIOUS PARROT.
PllOBABLY it was Henry Ward
Beecher or Adirondack Murry, or it
was some other Brooklyn Clergyman,
who wus hunting along the wharves
the other day to find a vessel just In
from the African coast, In the hope that
some one . of the crew might have
brought; home au innooent hear ted, pure
minded parrot, which might be pur
chased at a reasonable figure.and trained
up in the way good parrot should walk
and talk. The vessel was found to the
joy of the searcher. One of the sailors
brought back a splendid specimen of an
African parrot, and he didn't want but
five dollars for it. The clergyman ad
mired Its plumage, thought the age Just
right, Inquired after Its general health,
and asked :
" Has the bird yet attempted to utter
any words ?"
" Bless your topsels, but she talks as
well as a boy ten years old," replied the
sailor.
" Then I don't want her. She has
probably caught up it great many bad
expressions, and she would not be a fit
pet for my household."
" Avast, now !" said Jack. " Do you
suppose a man like me, who reads the
good book twice a day, would have a
bad bird around him ? Stand back and
I'll show you what a Christian bird I've
made of her." Giving Polly a rap on
the head to wake her up,the sailor called
out :
" Now, Tolly, who was the first
man ?"
"Adam," was the prompt reply.
" That's so, Polly. And now tell this
good mau who was cast into the lions'
den?"
" Daniel," was the answer.
' Did you ever see such a bird before ?'
asked Jack of the clergyman. "While
other parrots will blast your eyes and
bless you amidships, this one turns to
religion and keeps her mind on heaven.
Now, roily, who was tucked away in
the bullrushes when he was too small to
carry sail for himself V"
" Moses, Moses ?'' quacked the bird.
"Isn't she a diamond?" exclaimed
Jack, trying to wink at the minister
with both eyes. ' ' . .
" I must confess she Is the best mind-
ed parrot I ever saw or heard of," re
plied the clergyman.
NO. 6-
" That isn't the half she can do, Skip
per," continued the sailor. "Now. my
dear Tolly, how many commnndtnents
are there ? 1
" Ten t" screamed Tolly.
" That's rleht. old cal. Now tell the
man which is the first day in the
week."
" Sunday," was the quiet reply.
" I tell you," remarked Jack, as lie
turned to the clergyman,"! was brought
up right, and have been trying to bring
that bird up right. She's worth twenty
dollars to any man, but seeing you
preacn the Gospel, you shall have her
for five."
"I guess I'll take her," replied the
minister, producing his wallet. " As I
said before, the bird is one of ten thou
sand ; and you deserve credit for tho
care you have taken In her teaching."
" I do how, sir," was Jack's modest
reply, and then, giving Tolly another
rap on the head, he inouired " Now.
then, get your bearings and tell me who
was going to oiler up bis son as a sacri
fice t"
" Ab'rtn !"' shouted the bird. shakli;
his feathers as If greatly pleased.
" You'll sit up at night to hoar that
bird talk, you will," said the sailor.
"If I hadn't said five dollars to you I
should say fifty to the next man. I
never had time to learn her. but I be
lieve I could have that bird sing hymns
in just one voyage to Liverpool. She
started out to sing ' Old Hundred' one
day when we Mere off St. Helena, and
u the captain hadn't yelled out just
then, I believe the bird would have nick
ed up the whole tune like a whistle."
The clergyman said he would go and
purchase a small cage in which to re
move the bird, and he had just started
for the rail when Jack called out :
" Tolly, old gal, who did the ravens
feed?"
" Spea'i up sharp now."
" Lijuh 1" shrieked Tolly, seeming
greatly angered over the shaking; and
after an interval of a few seconds she
continued: "Where in h l'a them
crackers ?"
Jack and (he good man looked ateacli
other for a moment, and then the min
ister climbed slowly over the rail, never
to return not even to get his five dol
lar bill. . "See what you did?" yelled
Jack, as he turned to the bird. And all
the answer Tolly made was to softly
say," Cussuni !"
- .
A Rat Story.
The Pittsburgh Telegraph tells the
following story: "A banker of this
city has a valuable cow, which gave a
large quantity of milk and was held In
high esteem for general good qualities.
AH at once the supply of lacteal fluid
grew smaller by degrees and beautifully
less until the yield was scarcely worth
having. The family were greatly sur
prised nt this, as the animal was in per
fect health and in the height of her
season. It was hinted that some person
whose love for milk overcame scruples
for stealing was at the bottom of the
mischief, nnd that, like a thief at night,
he entered the stable where Bossy was
kept and relieved her of the milk. The
hired man was accordingly instructed
to watch for the thief and his vigilance
was rewarded by a most singular dis
covery. Just after daylight in the morn
ing he say a vpry large rat come forth
from his hiding place, and going to
where the cow was hiding, it stood- on
Its hind feet, with it forepaws on the
cow's udder, and applying its mouth to
one of her lugs, sucked its full of milk.
When it was satisfied another rodent
took its place, and soon until the supply
was exhausted and the family swindled
by the cunning rats out of their morn
ing's supply of the much covered fluid, t
The story Is well vouched for. ,
Hard to Read but Good Grammar.
" Gentlemen. I assure you that that ,
' that1 that tluit man uttered is not that
' that' that the other gentleman referred
to."
63T Keaerve Is no more essentially
connected with understanding, than is a
church organ with devotion, or wine
with good nature.
CJT The reason why bankers are so opt
to prosper Is because they always taku
o much Interest lu their business,