Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-11-13

had two husbands. But DO it. See what
she will say
will. There, help me, Sue. la hal
and here's a bat, TOO How kind in some
body to leave all his clothes here
Derby-poor, dear, present, Derby-was
breathing very hard bis heart beat heavily,
and every nerve shook What the deuce
was he to do, if Margaret Maria went off.
with bis pants, he could in no manner deter
mine and from the exceedingly interesting
conversation which was going on he knew
that his worst fears were to be realized.
oh, amt it fit, cried Margaret Maria
Only turn up the trowsers five or six inches,
and | shall be fixed. Here, black my up
per Up with this Bit OF coal shan't make
love to you. Hal hal Amt "a dashing
fellow
And Derby could hear somebody kissing
somebody, and somebody was laughing as if
she could not help it
A moment after, the girls had left the
room, Derby stole timidly from his hiding
place. Margaret Maria had taken the lamp
and his clothes with her; she had left dark
ness and her own clothes behind. 4 happy
thought struck the unhappy Derby In oil
haste he enrolled himself in Margaret Ma
ria's gown, then he threw her shawl ever his
shoulders, and puton her bonnet and veil
His eyes having become accustomed to the
darkness, he could see to do this WITHOUT
much difficulty. In FIVE minutes, he was
ready to follow Susan and Margaret Maria.
During this time, there was great deal
, of laughing up stairs Margaret Maria, in
Derby's attire, went to Mrs Shades room,
VIII SraS Itkl, lol L.
took things very eoolly, until she found that
1T was not man, after all, when she virtual
ly gave vent to her indignation The ad-
venturers next proceeded to the attic where
the girls were sound asleep Susan having
placed the lamp in th{passage, hid behind
The door, whilst Margaret Maria entered,
aweke Jane Woods with violent shower of
kisses Jane uttered faint scream, and
demanded in a Whisper
Who are you p
Shp said Margeret Maria.
Jane hushcd accordingly, until she saw
the strange figure proceed to Mary Clark's
pillow, when she thought it her duty to
scream Mary screamed, too, after she had
been several times kissed and Sarah Jones
joined in the chorus, until her mouth was
stopped BY hasty buss
Is it you p she whispered.
At THAT moment, the strange figure, which
had been seen by the light in the passage,
ran out, and Susan catching up the lamp,
ran in.
Why, what is the matter = she cried, in
pretended establishment.
There has been a man in the room
Susan was very much astonished, goi
To- IL, Il
and not one Of them would confess that she
had becnskissed, until Susan pointed out the
marks Of the coal moustache en- their faces
and called in Margaret Maria. Then there
was great deal of laughing and Margaret
Maria, having CALAMITY kissed them all again
set out to go down stairs,
But now it was Dcrby's turn to have a
little fun, and Margaret Msria's to be aston.
Tished As Susan advanced the lamp she
carried revealed frightful looking object
standing at the foot Of the stairs. 1t was
apparently woman Of gigantic structure /;
her dress vas SO short that her bare feet and
ANGLES could be seen distinctly ; and she
waved her large, bony hand at the terrified
girls, maJestieally as ghost. Never were
two mischief makers more frightened by an
apparition, Susan dashed herself against
the wall Up went scream and down came
the lamp. The oil covered the stairs, and
Margaret Maria tainted and stepped in it =
At that moment, the tall woman being
Derby himself cried
Robber, help, murder, at the top of his
voice; and Immediately stepped into his
room locking the door behind him
Before Margaret Maria recovered her
scattered senses, all the boarders were astir
Susan ran into Mr. SHADES room Margaret
Maria would have followed her, but Susan,
in her terror, shut her out Next, Margaret
tried her mothers door; and her mother,
hearing the alarm, appeared ait the moment,
and terrified by the coal Iaoustache and
smashed hat, took her own daughter for the
robber, dropped her lamp and screamed fear
fully Margaret, as much frightened as her
self, would have caught her in her arms. but
Mrs Convey, who would hear no explanation
nor allow her to approach. pushed her out of
the room with great trepida:ion. Then Mar
garet ran to Derby's room, which, to her con-
stcrnation, she found locked. At that mo-
ment, Ned Perkins-the boldcst fellow in
the house, rushed out Of his room, in his
shirt, with lampin one hand and sword
cane in the other, ready drawn for combat.
Ned flew at the supposed robber, and would
haTa seized her in an instant, if she had not
properly seen fit to faint at the sight Of his
naKe5. sword, and fallen down before Mr..
Derby,s room. Her hat came off, her hair
streamed down her neck, and Ned recog-
nized Margaret Maria.
Any body can imagine the scene Of CON
fusion which followed The impudent girl
found herself surrounded by a dozen half
dressed figures, some laughing, some wander
ing, some trembling with terror But it
was the seyerest cup for Margaret, when the
door Of Derby's room opened, and the tall
apparitipn appeared As soon as the scream
ing subsidized, the figure removed its veil
Don't be frightened Margaret Maria, il
said It's nobody but your poor, dear, al
SEM Der6gS That's all
Car you fancy her feelings2 Dir. Derby
could, as he entered his room again, locked
the door, and went to bed, Oyerjoyed by what
had occurred He slept sonndiy, and awoke
the next morning ss completely cured Of his
love for Margaret Maria as if he had seen
her transformed into grizzly bear
lEe xNrx