Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-02-15
Select Q aI&5.
RED CURTAIN CHICKERING'S.
by HENRY II. PAUL.

Several church bells chimed eleven o.
clock, P. NJ, when Mr.. and Mrs. Queer
curdle lay nestled in a bed of down, as
snugly as two peas in pod. 1t was dull
gloomy night, and the clouds which all day
spread out dense and sluggish mass of va
per, already yielded large drops of rain,
and seemed to presage a violent storm. On
night like this, it is astonishing how we
love to crouch close, spoon-fashon, to our
bed.fellow. If we chance to have one, and
listen to the rain, as it soft and unsteady
patters on the roof.
A little wax taper was shedding a half
dozen dim rays in the chimney place. Mr..
Queercurdes pants, the bottoms of which
were soaking wet, hung over chair to dry,
and his coat, minus two or three OF the tail
buttons, with the lining of the right hand
pocket ripped, was pendant from the bed
post. Mr.. Queercurdle was little fat,
oleaginous man, with small, sharp, twink
ling eyes, which had pleasant expression.
His wife was stout, motherly lady, rather
middle-aged, with sort Of demi-rattle-
snake eve, rather bright, but decidedly bad.
The quandom couple were covered with a
thick quilt, worked by the spouse in bright
colors, slightly symbolcaI, being blue ICON
stancy,) yellow, (Jealousy,) pink, Gnno-
cence, and red, (deiance,) which, being
symmetrically blended, or dove-taied with
elegant precision, were excessively harmoni-
Gus to the gaze Of casual domestic OBJ
server.
Mr.. Quee.curdle had solemnly assured
his wife that evening at the table, when the
dear children we're all seated around them,
discussing bread and treacle, that he weuld
take her to the races on horseback the mex
day; but, as i>ck would have it, the rain
must spoil all the Pleasure she had in pros
pective.
Now, John Peter, isn't it too bad =
riding does me such a world OF good, and
the rain must come and spoil all my little
hopes. But it's just my luck; for | FEVER
made up my mind to 60 anywhere Or do
anything, but am sure to be prevented by
something or the other"
AS Mrs. Q. delivered herself of this, her
partner, who was, or affected to be asleep,
gave vent to a very extraordinary sound,
which being neither groan or gtunt, nor
gasp, nor growl, seemed to partake of
character of all four.
" Just like YOU" said Mrs O., giving
him punch in the hollow part of the back,
and turning round with very stern express
sion. Don't you hear how its raining
but YOU don't care, it makes little differ
ence 10 you--litle does your promise signi-
y."
Historians assert that Socrates, the Sa-
van, led TO the alter termigant in order to
jeopardize his patience and disposition
Mr.. Queercurdle on the contrary, not car
ing for any feats of this sort, married that
he might have his peace of mind disturbed
How he put his loot in it, methinks we
hear number of our male friends say.
Being indlsposed to hear what HIS Xan-
tippe might chance to say, and invested
with predspositon of slumber, he gave
vent to sundry nasal sounds, which, with a
great deal of propriety and correctness, may
have been termed snore. Mrs. Q. was
Just about as much troubled with sleep as a
frog is with a side pocket, and her mind
being particularly, if not wholly absorbed in
the contemplated visit to the races on the
succeeding day she was determined, at all
hazards to talk, come what may" as one
of Shakspeare's heroes is is made to utter.
"John Peter, wake up come !" cried
she, giving him another home thrust under
the arm, which being delicate and sensi-
tive part of the body, produced the effect OF
bringing him Immediately upright in the
bed
"Step your nonsense-do. If you felt
as tired as l do, you'd keep your mouth
shut and give your temper a holiday" and
down he laid again.
Tired as you, well--I like that" sneer-
ed she, contemptuously "You have moth.
ing to do but squat in chair in an office
all day, while have to hustle about and see
to everything in the house, with only the
assistance of one maid servant-YoU talk of
being tired, indeed"
80, do hush, for Heavens sake |" said
Mr.. QuesrcurdIe, who laid on the outside,