The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-23
A!6ScsgKa us.
FrOc. he La9y's BOOK for DECEMBER.
ADVENTURES IN TIE WRONG
H0U USE.
ny DR.. n. MONTGOMERY BIRD.
CON CLUD + d.


aud was in the nc, of scratching about with my
fingers for the knob, when the door was opened
and, to my unullerable confusion was seized
upon by young female, who, drawing me in
mediateIy in, and closing the door, said, with a
whispering voice, broken by merrimen, " How
quick you are! All dressed already! What an
immense big boy yon make! Where did YOU get
such magnificent whiskers?''
1t was now that the idea first burst upon me
that had got into the wrong house; for | saw at
Il glance, this was none of my chamber, 1t was
a ady's boudoir, or anleroom to sleeping apart
ment, from the open door of which latter apart
ment came dim ray Of light, by which i, was OBJ
scurely Illuminated There vas light enough for
me to make out objects, TO discover my exlraord-
nary bunder, to see, (or part of this, perhaps. |
ancied) that my new friend, who received me so
warmly and familiarity, was young Indy irsesis-
ibly charming aud beautiful, (oh! what voice
she had and the touch of her hand set me beside
myself) while her expressions made il apparent
she was no less Il person than the fair ncogniia,
Susans employer, and that she had mistaken me
for Susan dressed in mans apparel
"Whcr0 did you get such magnificent whisk-
crs'" she cried, and she actually pulled lhemwih
her fingers, IN pure admiration. never could
have believed she continued, laughing, ''you
could be so changed by clothes; lha; you would
make such beautiful young mani ! declare I
feel as if wanted you 10 make love to me-"
There was no resisting such an appeal as that
immediately clasped her in my arms, aud raw
ished kiss from her ps,by which she was thrown
into almost commissions Of laughter.
"Out, you hussy!' sh, cried; ''men are no, so
impuden' Bless me don't be so rldicuous.--
There now that's enough. But wish might
light upon some such handsome young fellow for n
sweetheart wonder how | shall look ia my
boys clothes! But come along and help me, for
| shall never get the queer things on wilhou, as
sstnnce,"
And here the beautiful creature made as If she
would have pulled lie along into The chamber; II,
which, in great terror, dropped on my knees,
and seizing upon her hand, exclaimed,
"Forgiye me, dear madam have deceived
You; or, rather, you have deceived Yourself
an not Susan, am"
At the first tone Of my voice, for | had not
spoken before, she turned wildly upon me, We
were nearer the door Of the chamber, and the
light shone upon my face as kncIt. never saw
such change iiom radiant mirthfuness to the
extremity Of terror. | saw she was going to
shrek, and sprang up and placed my hand over
her mouth.
"For heavens sake, maIGm," cried, edo no,
ruin me, and pe,haps yourself | will not insult
you. | am II gentleman, the victim Of most ca
traoIdinary bundor, which has caused this nlra-
sion, and made me an unexpected coniidant IN
your intended c!opemcnt Pray, madam, don't
faint" Certainly she looked so much like it that
] was obliged to support her, and she was CON-
PEELED to suffer me. 81 will make every rcpara,ion;
| will retire, Nay, | will even assist you to fly;
for Susan Is laithless she designed 10 bcray you,)
and you need faithful attendant"
'CU-SlI-slT, SlU!IHACltu bcdUl) ~ W luIlI
these illusions to the copomcnt gave life, while
they covered her with bushes; 81 need nothing
but your immediate departure. For heavens sake
20. Oh, what, phqt will become Of mc;" And
she wrung her hands and bust into tears.
never could stand a womans tears; who can
And those of the beautiful stranger cut ne to The
soul, while they npc,cd the fascination Of my
spirit. 1t was all over with me in moment.
felt that had suddenly fallen in love with her,
and none the less deeply for knowing no more who
she was, and what were her qualities, than il she
had just stepped down iiom the moon; and fallen
in love- too, 10 that pitch of desperation, the point
of magnanimity. So down drop, on my knees
again, and again seized her hand, which she vainly
tried to snatch from me; while l. rot doubling her
tears we've, in part at least, owing to the Interrupt
ton of the e,opomcnt and her conseqncn, fears Of
losing her lover. energolicaIIy repeated my Offers
of assistance declaring, on the word of gentle
man, that would faithfully carry her 10 the arms
of her lover, even, added, int rage Of jealousy
and despair, "if have 10 blow my own brains out
the moment after"
"Sir," said she, hastily az have no lover; was
not going 10 run away to n lover"
"Heaycn be praised 'cIied |, "lor now you can
run away Nth one Madam, am gentleman,
and man of fortune, single, uncngagcd, and love
and adore you. My name is James J. Smith"
Here she jcrled away her hand, but Jumped up
md caught it again; for, though she started from
me, it was not a state Of disp!easure. Ga the con-
trary, she bushcd, and trembled, and looked
pleosed-I was sure she dil-and she grew more
pleused the more told her how much | udored
her; and when ] presumed on her growing alice
ton 10 throw my arm round her waist, she begun
to smile and giggle; in fact thought she was go
ing into Mysteries, which is proof Of overpowing
feeling; when-oh! surprise and notification