Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-10-16
The IictimiSed LOdger.
y MISTAKE OF \ NIGHT
By PAUL CREFToN.

town
and TO his lodgings at Mrs Covev.s rath
er sooner than was expected 1t was late
IN the evening, and having entered by
means of his night key, and finding no
body stirring he walked leisuerely up tc
his room. -
This was the apartment Mr.. DERBY had
always occupied at Mrs Covey's house
bur on this occasion it seemed little like
home Before leaving town he had care
fully put away his clothes in his trunks
and during his absence other revolutions
had been made in the room, which gave it
an air OF strangeness that chilled his
heart.
Not the least dissgreeble thing, was the
darkness. Mr. Derby had entered with
out a lamp expecting to find that desira-
ble article in the old place; but after
knocking an ink bottle, vase, and snuff
/ box of the mantle piece, in his blind
I search, he concluded that the wiscst course
would be 10 stop swearing and 90 to bed
in the dark
In no very good humor, Ben Frank
I Derby began to undress. Toreturn home
after an absence Of two weeks, and
to be obliged to 90 to bed in such a dis
NAL manner almost broke his heart. He
might have rung up the servants, it is true
and might have reflected that his friends
were cxcusable since they did not expect
him bQ. Alr. Derby chose to be angry and
silent
"And where IS Margaret Maria 2" NUT
tered the unhappy man. Oh, fajthless
daughter Of an unfeeling laudladyl l
did ut expect this of you When tore
myself from your arms two weeks ago, you
I protested: with tears in your eyes and per-
tidy IN your heart, that you would watch
with anxious eyes of love for my return
Oh, this looks like it Even now, know
You are making yourself merry with some
fresh conquest, or if you are sleeping un-
der this roof, you are dreaming Of pleas
ures in which have no share
So saying, Air Derby threw his trou-
sers on a chair, and began to grope his
way in the darkness to the head of the
bed At that moment merry laugh
close to his chamber door startled him
Mr. Derby paused
( Margaret Maria's laugh by all that is
false groaned Mr. Derby She SAID
she uId do nothing bat sigh and weep
during my abscence-and hear her she
laughs againl The false hearted
Mr. D's, reflections were suddenly in
terrupted b. the sound Of a hand grasp
ing his door latch With considerable
trepidation he flew to lock the door, but
before be could reach it a merry laugh, a
blaze Of light. and two girls burst into the
room.
Now Mr. d being rather modest per-
son, 1t was perhaps a lucky circum-
stance for him that the closet door was a
jar, the retreat convenient and his limbs
active. He lodged out of sight before the
girls had taken time to cast their eyes a
round them and soon the door was shut,
aud Mr.. DIS ears open.
Nv hat time do YOU suppose it Is ?" ask
ed Margaret Maria's voice There the
bells are striking twelve Oh! hay'nt we
had gay time. Susanl"
Gay enough - replied Susan "Ia
ha but wouldn't your poor absent Derby
be amused if he knew
II ha ha p laughed Margaret Maria
'my poor dear absent Derby That is
too good II he knew poor fellow, it
would break his heart, he thinks / do moth
ing but sigh and CRY during his absence \
Am ! such goose z"
"Snch a goose Q p groaned Derby. in
tensely, painfully interested oh! oh :"
lie ground his teeth and then listened
Such a goose he would think so. if he
had seen you ea:ing oysters with Dan Rob
bins
Il only hope added Margaret Maria, he
viii only keep away week longer"
so we could have this room :"
sNo-not exactly that-but Dan has
invited me to 60 to a ball Thursday night
and you know if my poor, dear absent
Derby should come Lack in the mean time,
| couldn't go"
Derby was trembling with cold and
wrath
You mean to marry Derby, then ?" as
kcd Susan"
Il suppose l shall, cried Margaret Ma
ria gaily Il like to firt with Dan, and
if he had as many dollars as my poor dear
absent Derby
You would choose Dan ?" interrupted
Susan
To be sure l would he aint such
fool as---"
"Derby. Ha ha But what is this.
A coat-a pair of pantaloons
Goodness Gracious How did they
come here p
Derby was trembling with excitement
burning with rage; but now he felt new
source of uneasiness The discovery of
his pantaloons might lead to the discove-
~ of himself Had he been dressed, he
would have liked nothing better than to
confront the perfdious Margaret Maria
but in his present state it was not to be
thought of He felt himself blushing all
over in spite of the cold. To his relief
however, the girls, after making themsel-
yes sure that there was nobody in or un-
der the bed, did not seem disposed to in
quire into the mystery of tie pentaloons;
but Margaret Maria exclaimed
III tell you what Ill do, Sue I'll
dress myself il these clothes, and 60 into
the widow Slade's room She'll think its
a man and won't she be frightened 2'
y i y