American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-25

| Now the mere mention of Mr.. Stoller's name
| by Mrs. Jones at the tea-tdble, could not GER
tainly attract extraordinary attention, but the
manner and the tone of the lady started many
of the boarders sitting around; many dropped
their knives and forks, and cast their eyes rap
idly from Mrs. Jones to Mr.. Stoler, the latter
gentleman suspended his attacks on the supper
and gazed with an agitated countenance at the
head parsonage of the house.
! "Mr. Stoller!" said Mrs. Jones speaking
slowly in order to give every word its due EN-
phasis-'you are probably aware that endeav-
or to carry on the affairs ofmy house as hon
estly and circumspectly as possible:-here was
pause, several dodgers nodded and one, who
was noted for being remiss in paying his board
bill when due, lntmated in an audible voice
that the domestic economy of Mrs. Jones' house
was not exceed by that of any similar estab-
lshment in the city.
| "Mr. Stolier,'' continued Mrs. Jones, twill
you be kind enough to inform me if you can,
what business detains you IN your room every
Saturday between the hours of four and seven
! in the aiternoon2''
All gazed at Mr.. Stoler, anxious to have the
important question settled; his agitation had
been increasing to a fearful extent during Mrs.
! Jones remarks, and upon hearing her inquiry
he started to his feet; his face was deeply Grim
soneG, and he strove for some minutes in vain
! to speak
"Ma'am," cried he at t-"You!-You!-
| -cannot-now!-"h he stopped suddenly
kicked over his chair and dashed out of the
room.
No pen can describe the establishment of the
spectators at this unprecedented exit; Mrs.
Jones started to her feet, and when she at
length found her voice addressed the company:
"Now, gentlemen" said she, 81 am satisfied
that Mr.. Stoller must be engaged in some hor-
rble plot in his room regularly every Saturday
some CONTRIBUTING scrape or torgery-at any
rate some matter which will most likely des-
troy the credit of my house, I'm sure you must
all agree with me when say, that this horrible
secret must be drawn from him by some means
or other. know from the fright which seized
him when asked him the question that there
is something going wrong"
Here Mrs. Jones hesitated waiting to be as
sisted from her difficulty by some Of the board
ers present
'Suppose," said one, ''that the next time he
shuts himself up in his room, we all go in bo-
dy and break open the door"
This brave proposition was Immediately put
down being entirely too belligerent in its gen
eral features.
Couldn't some one slide down the roof of
the house and peep in the window, asked anoth-
er doubtfully.
stThat might do" said Mrs. Jones, looking
round upon the company in hopes to discover
some one who would undertake the task, but no
one moved for the roof being slated one and
very steep, was consequently too hazardous to
be trusted as foothod,
81 think said one young gentleman at the
head of the table, eff we should all get togeth-
er next Saturday afternoon and cry ''tre" In the
entries, we might bring him out and then dis
cover his employment"
"Ah!n exclaimed Mrs. Jones, CHATS good
plan but it would be liable to raise the neigh
borhood-but think we'll close all the doors
and windows and try tat any rate it can't do
much harm"
i In fine the last was considered by the compa-
nv to be a most excellent plan for the detection
4 Of MIR. Stoller in his dreadful plots and the re-
quisite arrangements were made on the spot
Nothing was said to Mr.. Stoller during the
week and when Saturday afternoon at last ar
rived the greater part of the boarders were IN
their room, waiting for his arrival AT the US
ual hour of four the suspected ledger entered
the house, and proceeded as was his custom,
immediately to his room. His door had been
locked about half an hour when large party
of the boarders, headed by Mrs. Jones, was
stealthily formed in the lower hall, and differ
ent detachments were then filed off to separate
portions ofthe house, and two gentlemen more
courageous than the rest, stationed themselves
close to Mr.. Stoler's room, ready to glide IN
/ and examine the apartments as soon as he
should open the door.
"All these preminaries being arranged, Mrs.
Jones and her servant Betty raised heart-rend-
ing shrek in the kitchen, and then dashed up
, to the entry. The party in the lower hall
slammed the doors and at the top of their voices
screamed "Fire!"
/ The united efforts were completely success
ful. for suddenly Mr.. Stoller's door opened and
out rushed the gentleman himself. His coat
, was buttoned up about his neck, and his sleeves
: turned up, leaving the lower portion OF his arms
' bare; in his hands he held white article drip
t ping with water.
ssWhat is the matter, Mrs. Jones?" cried he,
v looking with establishment upon the crowd lhat
t had collected about his door.
No answer was returned, and the two coura-
peous gentlemen, w no had nsinuated themselves
T. into his room sneaked out again.
No cry of sire" was now heard, and dim
4 LIGHT broke over MIR. Stoller's mind-he saw
}, the trick
"Ah, gentlemen" said he, slowly, 81 see
"a now how it is; will few of you gentlemen
have the kindness to step into the room with
l. Mrs Jones and all the mystery shall be explain
v ed"
It They crowded in, the landlady taking the
IA lead, and his room was completely filled.
"Now, gentlemen" said he slow y'.'you have e
" all taken such an interest in my affairs that II
e. is but just that you should all be INDUCED with
d the knowledge of the strange secret which has
" SO much tarrassed your minds. You see gentle
e, men, that wash-basn, and in the chimney cor
ner you will perhaps observe few burning EN-
beers, and in my hands you will notice an article
Of concerning which hope there can be no mis-
lie take, and, gentlemen, by putting all these