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VOL. XI.
THE TIMES.
k Independent Family Newspaper,
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THE BUCKWHEAT CAKE.
Am " Amtriea."
My flap-jack, 'tis of tbee,
Thou that agrecst with me,
Of thee I sing,
Thou that with pork art fried,
Then buttered ou one side.
With maple syrup thick applied-
Thou luscious thing !
0 savory morsel mine I
What taste Is like to thine,
Well-buttered one J
1 love to watch thee fry,
To see cook toss thee high,
And stick thee with a fork to try
If thou art done.
Before the break of dawn i
The cook, with many a yawn,
The batter makes ;
Then, at the breakfast bell,
Down rush the boys pell-mell,
And all delighted yell,
O, bnckwheat cakes I"
O red-faced cook, to thee
Bhall loud enconiums be
Forever more ;
Soon, when our stomachs feel
Oppressed by such a meal,
We promise yon that we'll
Eat somewhat slower.
And, when our spirits rise
To dwell In Paradise,
Our hope Is this :
A gorgeous throne onr scat,
Fair Houris at our feet,
Eternal buckwheat cakos to cat
What greater bliss 1
For The Times.
AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
u AfOU AUK, my dear brother Fred
' I erlck, a most extraordinary crea
ture," exclaimed Miss Emily Brookes to
her brother ; " you are a 6tock-broker ;
that is to say, in other words, you are
very rich ; you are young, you are well
looking, you are good-tempered and
good-natured ; you are liked by all who
know you ; you are in love with a most
admirable woman, and you are beloved
by her in, return ; and yet you do not
marry her ! I do not comprehend
why the marriage ia delayed. ' If you
delay it much longer,' I should not be
: surprised if she became disgusted with'
you." .
Frederick started from the sofa on
v. which he had been sitting, and without
making any answer to bis sister, he pac.
ed up and down the room.
" I see how it is," continued Miss
Brookes; 44 you are thinking of the past.
You remember that for six years Cecilia
was the object of your adoration ; that
her father refused her to you, and gave
her to another ; that is the bitter drop in
your cup of happiness. But then re
member tier father Is dead ; that his son
in-law, Mr. Chantry the husband, I
may say, for a day has followed him to
the tomb ; and as it would appear, had
-only married that be might bequeath to
his widow, his entire fortune. And now
the widow Chantry is as rich as your
self; and for a stock-broker, he who
lives and deals in money, that is, I hn
agine, r.o trifling consideration. What
then is the rcuson that you do not, by
means of a happy marriage, take tho
surest mode of driving away tho grief
that has overwhelmed you for some
time back i
"I! and overwhelmed with grief! I
have had nothing to trouble me," was
the answer of the brother with a forced
smile.
44 What van be the matter with you
Are you Jealous of the dead? or is It
possible that you have ceased to love
OclllaV"
4 Oh I I love her more than ever !" ex
claimed Frederick. '
44 Then marry her at once, and put an
3ST333AV BLOOMFIELD, TUESDAY, APRIL 17 1877.
end to your mutual martyrdom ; for
your proceedings at present are exceed
ingly ridiculous, and now, instead of
your courting the lady, she seems to
court you."
As if to prove the truth of her asser
tion, a carriage was heard to drive up
the lawn of a handsome villa at Htam
ford Hill, where this conversation took
place, and the young lady continued
" I am sure it is Cecilia and now, un
der the pretence of visiting the sister,
she comes to see the brother. Take my
word for it, Fred, I shall never be so at
tentive to my future husband."
The gate opened, and Mrs. Chantry
entered the room. Hhe was accompan
ied by Mr. Williams, the companion
from boyhood of Frederick Brookes.and
a very wealthy India merchant. Mrs.
Chantry, a very handsome widow, twenty-two
years of age, made no disguise
of her affection for Frederick. It was
a matter settled between them, that
both were in love. Their marriage had
been determined upon ; it had even been
publicly announced to the friends of
both parties ; and now all that was
waited for, was the completion of the
mere formalities of the marriage settle
ment, which Frederick could have,when
he pleased, completely arranged in a few
days. Under the circumstances, why
then should the handsome young wid
ow be guilty of any affectation V She
would not be so. All breathed happiness
around her. Mr. Williams wished the
young couple joy, and Emily, seeing her
brother smile at ftie idea of the coming
marriage, pressed upon him to fix a day
for It.
" It shall be whenever Cecilia wishes
it," was the reply of the intended bride
groom. " But then the lawyers are they
ready with this odious settlement," ask
ed the widow.
The reply of the young broker was,
that all the difficulties on that point had
been put an end to, and that the license
might be procured in a few hours.
" Thank Heaven !" exclaimed Emily,
my brother at last consents to be
happy 1"
From that moment all semblance of
restraint had vanished from the faces of
those in the drawing room of Mr.
Brookes. He himself appeared to have
forgotten all his cares, and the happiness
of the company was so complete, that
the clock struck twelve before he or they
seemed to know that an hour had passed
away. At that moment isrookes rose
and said :
4 To-morrow is settling day on 'change;
I have still several - matters to arrange
before I can retire to rest."
44 And so it is," remarked Mr. Will
iams ; " but to you settling duy can
bring no sorrow." . : . .
Mrs. Chantry would have wished to
have retired also, but as Mr. Williams
found the society of Miss Emily Brookes
particularly agreeable to him, he begged
she might remain some time longer;
and the good natured widow, knowing
the motive for . his , request, willingly
consented to do so. ,
Frederick Brookes kissed his sister ;
he pressed with his lips the blushing
cheek of the pretty widow; he shook
hands cordially with his old school-fellow,
Williams, and then parted with the
words, " he was leaving all in this world
that he loved.'.' (
The rooms peculiarly devoted to the
use of Frederick, at his villa on Stam
ford Hill, were on the ground floor, and
might be divided into a library, and an
adjoining chamber fitted up something
like an office, although there were in
troduced into it many of the convenien
ces of a parlor. It waa into this room
that Brookes now ' entered. He took
from the case iu. which' they hud been
secured .two srnall pocket pistols, and
placed them on a table beside hi in. ; He
flung himself ou a sofa, and there, with
his bead resting on a pillow, and stretch
ed at full length, be seemed to be lost in
thought. His mind bceaine distracted
by the intensity of his contemplations
his brain whirled rouud amid conflicting
suggestions the outer world became ob
scured to his vision when his medita
tions were disturbed in the most extra
ordinary manner. A bandkcVchlcf was
stuffed into his mouth, and Ink moment
afterwards be felt himself strapped down
to the sofa, so tightly and secutely, that
he could cot stir a llmu. How this was
done was Incomprehensible tokiw.untll
he saw a tall, very powerful, and very
fair haired young man come forward,
and take possession of the two pistols.
Hie first impression was, that a Joke was
being played upon him by his friend
Williams ; but when he saw the stran
ger, he comprehended the matter at
once, and that he had now to do with a
burglar. The tall, very powerful, and
very fair young man he paw put one of
the pistols into his pocket, cock the
other, and hold It in his right hand,
while with the left he untied the hand
kerchief that covered the mouth of his
host. ;
" If you utter a single cry," said he,
"I shall that Instant blow out your
brains."
This, for a person who was contem
plating suicide, was an excellent oppor
tunity for quitting life ; but the broker
preferred doing the deed himself, rather
than confide to the awkward hands of
another, it must be owned, that he was
tired of dissembling the agony that had
so long preyed upon his heart. He
yielded to the desire of "telling his
mind;" of having one in whom he
might confide his secrets, even though
the confidant was a stranger and a
robber.
" Who are you 'f" said he to the stran
ger, in a low whisper, which at once in
timated to him that he bad no intention
to call for assistance.
44 You have the advantage," replied
the young man, with impudence, 14of
having to do with Ikcy Bamuels ; but
you don't seem to know a name that the
Police Commissioners are familiar with,
and the magistrates of every police office
in London have frequently heard of."
11 1 do not indeed know you," was the
answer of Frederick ; and your mode of
proceeding "
" Must prove to you both what I am,
and with what object I came. I have
been concealed in your library for the
last two hours. I certainly did not cal
culate on seeing you here ; but as you did
come, a moment's reflection showed me
it might be useful ; for I should have
had to break open your iron safe, where
I know you keep all your money, with
Instruments that after all might not have
effected my purpose; but now, as you
are here, please to give me the key of
your money drawer."
" My money drawer 1" replied Brookes
with a bitter smile.
" Where is the key of your money
drawer? I suppose in your waistcoat
pocket. Come, come, sir, don't put one
to the trouble of looking for it." .
"You will, in truth, find it in my
waistcoat pocket."
The robber easily discovered the key.
He then opened the great iron chfrst. He
rummaged through it, and could discov
ernothing ! There was not even a sin
gle sovereign there notasolitary crown
" This is a scurvy joke," said he, after
having carefully examined all the draw
crs, " and it is one of which I am deter
mined not to be the dupe. You will
therefore at once show me the secret
drawer where you have concealed your
bills and bank notes. To-morrow, I am
aware, you have large payments to make
on 'change."
" It is perfectly true that I have,"
said Brookes.
" Then you must have the money to
meet them." ...
" I have not." was the answer of KreH
erick 44 I have a sister who believes
herself rich, because she thinks I am so
too.. She is now talkinar with a frlt-nri
who believes me to be worth a million
with a young lady also who loves me
and that I adore, and that supposes w
shall soon be married. I couhl.iri
liked, easily deceive her, aiid involve
ner in my embarrassments ; but this
will not do." ,
- " And this young lady is rich " ask
ed the robber. i ,
" Yes, very rich ; but I love her too
much to bring her to ruin."
.1 'I H. L 1. li. .
iiiuv is very siuy. . Ana your
friend 1" . . , .'
. " My friend is worth very near a mil
lion of money. But now, sir," contin.
ued Brookes, " you have made a foolish
attempt ou my purse, and the sooner
you leave the better. Unloose nie, and
go-" ' . ;
! 44 But how," said the robber; "did you
mean to get out of all your cmbarrassr
mentsr" i , . .; . . . ;
44 Can you not guess, when you see
that these pistols were lying so near to
my handV"
" How is this V" Wheu 1 surprised you
on the sofa, where you appeared to me,
to le asleep, were you then meditating
suicide 5"'
"Yes; and I was just thinking
whether I should llnish the matter at
once, while there was company in the
house, or wait until they had retired. I
believe I should have done It at once, in
order that my poor Sister, surrounded aH
she Is by friends at the moment, might
be saved from contemplating tho horrid
spectacle that I was preparing for her.
to, then, and give me back iny pistols."
The tall, strong, and very fulr young
man put into his pocket the pistol that
up to this time he had held In his hand.
' They are of little worth," remarked
Frederick, "audi trust you will not
take from me the only means that I
possess of escaping from dlsgraco and
despair."
" You are a good-natured fool," said
the stranger, putting his hand Into the
pocket of the helpless Brookes. He was
looking for his gloves, which were pure,
spotless, and of the latest fashion. It
must be said of Mr. I key Samuels, that
he had a very handsome face, a remark
ably fine figure, and that he was very
neatly dressed, with two exceptions
his shirt was not of the whitest, and he
had no gloves. He remedial the first
defect by buttoning his well made coat
up to the chin ; and, for the second, he
availed himself of the gloves of Freder
ick, which fitted him precisely. He
also, it must be owned, took with him
the gentleman's hat, and then arranging
his fair silky hair on his white forehead,
he left the room with the appearancs.the
bow, and tho manner of an exquisite.
" Where are you going 1"' exclaimed
Frederick. " My pistols, in the name
of Heaven I or,' at least, unloose me."
" You shall see me almost immediate
ly," was the answer of Ikey Samuels, as
he closed the doors carefully behind
him.
It would appear that, under his present
circumstances, all that Mr. Ikcy Sam
uels had to do, was to go out of the
house as he had entered it, and regret
ting that he had tried to despoil his
neighbor of his goods, and failed in do
ing so. This would have beeu the pro
ceedihg of a common ordinary and Vul
gar thief; but Samuels was no such
thing ; for he was one of those extraor
dinary beings, who thought as little of
doing a bad action as a' good one. He
had not taken a pair of French gloves
to exhibit them at the Itegent's Circus
at one o'clock in the morning. He went
straight to the drawing room ; he rapped
gently with his gloved hand on the door
and then entered the apartment. As he
did so, he perceived Miss Brookes stand,
Ing up, Mrs. Chantry about to place a
shawl upon her shoulders, and Mr. Wil
liams about to offer her his arm.
"I beg your pardon, ladies," said
Samuels, perfectly unembarrassed ; "but
I presume I have the honor of address
ing Miss Brookes."
" Yes," replied the lady; "but I sup
pose, sir, your business is .with my
brother." i
"Yes, yes; with Mr. Frederick
Brookes I have most important business
to transact."
" But then, sir, it is so very late."
44 Yes, Miss Brookes ; but it Is so very
pressing, and It concerns him as much
as you, and this gentleman as well as
this lady, for you are all the friends of
Mr. Brookes."
This commencement nf the conversa
tion certainly surprised and agitated
them all ensuing, as it did, at such a
time of night, and from an entire strati
ger, whose name they did not know,
since he had not been announced. They
seated themselves again, ' and Mr. Wll
Hams continued the conversation by
saying:
" You have had, sir, buslines t do
with Mr. Brookes V"
" Oh, yes, a very trifling matter, and 1
never saw him in all my life, but once.'
" To whom have I the honor of ad
dressing myself V"
44 To Ikey Samuels, who has just done
a great service to every one present."
44 What to me too, slrV" said Mrs.
Chantry, with the eontidenee of a pretty
young widow, '
44 Yes, madam, to you also, if, as I
(suppose, it is you that Mr, Brookes was
NO. 10,
about to have the happiness of being
married."
" What can it Ik-, then ? what has
happened V" asked Emiry, greatly
frightened.
41 Oh, a merelrlfle, Miss Brookes. It
only comes to this ; that yonr brother is
ruined, smashed, used up cleaned outl"
41 Oh, Heaven 1" returned Emily.
44 It Is Impossible," remarked Mr.
Williams.
44 And Is that all V" observed (.'ecllla,
with an air of perfect Indifference.
44 No, madam, it is not all," coldly re
plied Ikey; 44 there Is something more
to bo said ; it is, that if ever there was
an honest man living, Frederick Brookes
is the individual."
44 We know It, we know it but con
tinue."
44 1 came by the merest chance to his
house this evening," continued Ikey;
4 1 came to pay a visit a a friend, and I
found him in his cabinet. I may indeed
own that I mtrprised him there. He was
lying on a sofa, and on the table beside
him, I found, instead of pens and papers
tAesc"
And as be thus sfike-,the intruder took
from his pocket the pistols.
41 Why, these are mybrother's pistols!"
exclaimed Emily.
44 1 know them well," said Mr. Wil
liams ; 44 fo many is the time, as a boy,
I have fired out of them, at sparrows."
44 Mr. Brookes," replied Ikey, with
very solemn dignity, "prepared them
this day to shoot at something else. Look
here, how strongly charged they are, and
such big balls I" ,
44 Where, oh, where is he VNexclaimed
the two ladies, jumping up.
44 Be calm, be ca4m," continued the '
robber; 44 1 am rcsponslblo for his per
fect safety. He is in his study, tied
down to the sofa ; you may be sure he
can do himself no Injury. It was I who
tied the knots, and I can tell you I
know something of the matter. But
you understand me; you must console
and comfort him; you must treat him
with kindness, tenderness, forbearance,
gentleness; you must pay his "
Ikey Samuels could have talked on ft
very long time without being contra
dicted ; for he was nqw speaking but to
the table and chairs in the drawing
room. He stopped, looked at himself in
the glass, ran his fingers through his
hair, and said to himself
44 Well done, Ikey! you can appear
the gentleman, when you do choose to
do so. Here are t wo pretty women who
have mistaken you for a full quarter of
an hour for a highly respectable stock,
broker."
Mean while Miss Brookes, Mrs. Chant
ry, and Williams, had precipitated them
selves into the study. They found the
unhappy Frederick tied In the precise
position In which Samuels had secured
him ; they saw that he could not raise a
finger to do himself violence, lhe two
ladies wept as they cast their arms
around hltn.
44 Ah, Frederick, Frederick," said the
one 41 you do not love your sister."'
44 Cruel man !" cried the othar, 44 do
you not know that when a woman gives
away her heart, she gives away all, her
fortune at the same time, and that the
bargaining for pin-money is an Insult to
love V"
" What a villain you are," exclaimed
WiMinnas, 44 not to say a single, word to
me, when you know that all my fortune
is at your command."
Th widow Chantry wished to be mar
ried that very instant. Frederick re
quested they would unlove, him. He
consented Jo accept assistance from Wil
liamshe promised to accept the for
tune and the hand of the lovely Cecila.
It was not until he had sworn a hundred
oaths, and given a thousand solemn
promises that he was released. When
they hail at length recovered from thtir
emotion, Emily said, 41 Let a go to tho
drawing-room ; I oust certainly kka
that dear, handsale, tall, flne-looklog
Mr. Samuels, who has performed such
an essential service to, us all."
44 That is true, said Williams. 44 Who
is that Mr. Sutuujels ? I did not know
you had such, a friend"
. 44 He is not my frioud," replied Fred
erick, castiug his eyes to the ground.
44 Then be must become a frieud," re
marked Emily. ,
"lie is a robber,',' answered Freilorlok,
who recounted the scene that had parsed,
between them.
They detvrmlnvd fit lviigb t gQ Vo tha