Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-11-13
MISCELLANY.
A VICTIMIZED LODGER.
4 MISTAKE OF A NIGHr-TIME.
ny PATL cREyToS


by PAUL cREYToN
Dir Benjamin f. Derby returned to town,
and TO his lodgings, at Mrs. Coyeys rather
sooner than he was expected. 1t was late
III the evening. and having entered by means
Of his night key, and finding nobody stir
ring. he walked leisurely up to his room
bis was the apartment Mr. Derby had al
ways occupied in Mrs. Cov6y's house but
oIif this occasion it seemed to him very little
like home Before leaving town he had
carefully put away all his clothes in his
trunks, and during his absence, other reYo-
lusiops had been made in the room, which
gave it a different air
Not the least disagreeable thing in the
room, was the darkness Mr. Derby Had
entered without a lamp, expecting to find
ttat desirable article in the sid place; but
after knocking over an ink bottle, vase and
snuff box, in his blind search, be concluded
that the wisest course would be to go to bed
Id the dark
/. In no very good humor, Mr.. Benjamin +.
Derby began to undress. 10 return home
after an absence of two weeks, and to be
obliged to go to bed in SUCH dismal man
ner almost broke his heart. He might have
rung for the servants, it is true and he might
have reflected that his friends were excusa-
bic, siace they did not expect him; but Mr..
Benjamin F, Derby chose to be angry and
SILENT
:. And where is Margaret Maria2" NUT
tered the unhappy man. .Oh, faithless
daughter of an unfeeling landlady didn't
expect this from you? When tore my
self from your arms two weeks ago, you pro-
tested, with tears in your eyes and perfdy
ia your heart, that you would watch, with
the anxious eyes of love, for my return i
Oh, this looks like it Even now, know
you are making yourself merry with some
fresh conquest, or if you are sleeping under
this roof, you are dreaming Of pleasures in
which have no share
So saying, Mr.. Benjamin F. Derby threw
his trousers on d chair. and began to grope
his way IN the darkness to the head Of the
bed. At this moment, merry laugh close
to his chamber door, startled him. Mr..
Derby paused.
h. Margaret Maria's laugh, by all that is
false r gFoaned Mr.. Derby "She said
she should do nothing but sigh and weep
during my absence-and hear her All, she
laughs again The false heartfelt
Mr. DIS reflections were suddenly inter.
rupted by the sound of hand grasping his
door latch With considerable trepidation,
lie few to lock the door, but before he could
reach it, merry laugh, Glaze of light, and
tEo girls burst into the room.
Now Mr.. d was a very modest person,
and it YVES very lucky circumstance for
him that the closet door was jar, the re-
tseat convenient, and his limbs active. He
lodged out of sight before the girls had
time to cast their eyes about them; and
sbon the door was shut, and Mr.. DIS ear
pinned back.
What time do you suppose it is ?" asked
Margaret Maria e There the bells are
striking twelve Oh amt We had gay
t6ne, Slsan 2n
il Gag enough !" was Susan's reply. "Hal
LIP but wouldn't your poor, dear, absent
Derby be amused if he knew
aa ha ha p laughed Margaret Maria,
4 My poor, dear, absent Derby That is
too good If be knew poor fellow, it
would break his heart. He thinks / do
nothing but sigh and cry during his absence.
Am / such goose 2"
q Such a goose Ohln groaned Derby,
painfully interested. "Ohlp
Such goose p echoed Susan. He
wouldn't think SO if he had seen you eating
the oysters with Dan Robbins
: only hope added Margaret Maria,
that he will keep away week longer
Sd that we can have his room 2
No-not exactly that-But Dan has in
yited me to 90 to the ball on Thursday night,
aud YOU know / couldn't 60 if my poor,
dear, absent Derby should come back in the
meantime
Derby was trembling with cold and
wrath.
You mean to marry Derby, then 2 asked
Susan.
Ii suppose SHALL FRIED Margaret Maria,
gailY. / like to firt with Dan, and if he
Lad as many dollars as my poor. dear, alb
sent Derby
You would choose Dan y
TO be sure / would He amt such a
fool So,
Derby Hal ba l4But what is this -
il cot "a pair of pantaloons,,
Goodness gracious How did they come
Desoy was trembling with excitement
burning with rage but now be felt new
soursa If uueasiness The discovery Of his
panssloons might lead to the discovery of
himsasf Had BE been dressed, he would
have liked nothing better than to confront
che psfEdious Margaret Maria but for the
present., it was not to be thought If He
fsit htnself blushiug al over, ID site Of the
cold. 10 his relief, however, the girls, after
making themselves sure that there was no
body rs or under the bed, did not seem dis
posed Is inquire into the mystery Of the pan
taiOons but Margaret Maria exclaimed
mi Itell you what | will do Sue m
dress rasself IN these clothes: and gointo the
widow Slade's room. She'll think It's
3 - L. l.. FL 4.....l s.