The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-12-15
y II III o T o us.
THE wASHERWOMAN.
TALE OF ONE SHIRT.

We VIII say, with Wright. nt the Adel- |
phi Theatre, all things considered
are the most troublesome
ofthe small fry of duns."
They are continually clamoring for
dues, and they are somewhat dangerous
persons to offend, as the following
anecdote will show.
once was acquainted with younger
son whose stock of linen had degenerat-
ed from too frequent visits to"my uncle
into one solitary shirt. 1t is true he
ordered fresh supply on credit from his
hosier; but at the same time mean, they
had not been sent home. My hero was
consequently under the disagreeable nee
essity of lying in bed all the morning until
bis solitary shirt could be washed and
dried for his evenings's use.-Oue eve
ming he was engaged to dinner party,
where very pretty woman, aud rich i'll
the bargain, to whom he had long been
paying his attentions-and successfully
was to be present. The hour was draw
ing nigh, the diuer-out had made all his
toilet except one indispensable article
shirt. Enveloped in "seedy" drcs-
sing gown, he sat shivering in anxiety,
wailing the washerwomans well known
knock. 1t came, and she made her ap.
pearance with the wshed-for shirt in her
hand. "Give me my shirt quick" cried
he, extending his hand as he spoke. The
washerweman drew back, and cody re-
piled, 'you owe me eighteen pence sir:-
! am poor woman with large family
must be paid" "D--m your large
family" cried the diner-out 81 have not
farthing-give me my Shirt Il won't
till l have my money" was the vigorous
reply. The unfortunate diner-out swore,
stormed, and raved, but all was of M
avail; he even descended TO the most alb,
ject supplications, butit was in vain,
There she stood with the coveted gar
ment in her hand, while he like Tantalus
of old, "saw but could not grasp it,
At length driven 10 despair, he exclaim-
ed, My good Mrs for Gods sake
give me my shirt am going to dine al
Mr.. Wilkinson's in Belgrave Square:
shall be too late-I shall he ruined!"
An internal smile lighted up for an
instant the obdurate washerwome MS face
and without saying another word. she de,
parted with her prize, leaving him shirt
less and of course dinnerless. In the
middle of the dinner at Mr.. Wilkinson:
that evening, while the guests were dis
cussing the mysterious nonappearance o
nv hero, and the pretty Charlotte Single
ton was pouting and looking daggers
grievously offended at the absence q
her lover, parcel was brought i'll by !
servant and delivered to the master o
the house. He opened it, and 10 the as
tonishment of all out fell shirt! Snatch
ing up little scrap of paper which fe
from the garment the host read out tn
following exquisite moroccan for the edl
fcation of the company:
Muster Wilkinson.
"Sir-Has Muster Howard owes mi
eighteen pence. and has only got thu
one shirt. which enclose; and as woul'
) not let him have this ere SHIRT till he pai'
me, | sends you the article in question
tha, you may not be surprised at his no
coming to dinner.
Your humble servant,
Mary Brown, Washerwoman.
IN. Washing done on reasonabl
terms, aud good dry-ground."
The roar of laughter which sncceede
may be guessed, In less than mont
after this "untoward event." Chariot
,, Singleton was married to fat mel
chant, and Fitz Walter Howard, Esq
was i'm the Queens Bench.