American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-06-07

nOur upon my nandS. naq call 10 make
two or three miles away, but to 60 there
and return punctually by Robinson's at
two O'Clock precisely was out of the ques-
tion so had no resource but to saunter a
bout during the tedious hour that inter-
vcned.
4 passed my dining-rooms with sigh
of resignation, stared in at the shop win
dows, walked down to Cheapside, entered
st. Pauls Church yard, looked up at the
clock, and found that quarter Of an hour
had barely been consumed. To while a.
way the succeeding half hour, passed
through the gates, sprung up the steps,
and entered the north door ofthe cathedral,
depositing the demanded twopence in the
outstretched hand of the janitor, and saun-
tered among the monuments-timing my
proceedings so well that on retracing my
steps and reaching the door of Robinson S
private residence, the clock was on the
point of striking two.
80 far well, l thought; 4 shall not be
accused of keeping the family dinner wait
ing, at all events; though l dare say my
friend Robinson has got home by this
time. He said two, precisely, remem
ber.' and | boldly rang the bell.
Mr.. Robinson is in, suppose? l ask
ed of the servant who wered to the sum
mons.
No, sir, he is not at home,'
ooh, he soon will be, dare say; he said
he would be home by two. Is Mrs. Rob
inson within?'
Yes, sir. What name, sir?'
And after these formalites were duly
gone through, was ushered into a small
parlor, and informed that Mrs. Robinson
would be down directly.
'Wcll, l sat and sat, and could not avoid
hearing hurrying and skurrying along
the passages up stairs, and for any
thing | know in my lady's chamber A
length, after a quarter of an hours delay
during which time l had been nervously
fdgeting about and longing every momen
to hear friend Robinson's ring of the bel
and foot in the passage, the door slyly o
pencd and in walked Mrs. Robinson. Sh,
had evidently, or rather, as l rightly e
nough guessed, been caught dishabille
and been occupied ever since my arrva
in setting herself to rights, or whateve
else the ladies may call it. OF course th
did not tend to make me welcome, thougI
to do the lady justice, she was too wei
bred to show any particular signs of dis
pleasure.
: 'On the contrary, indeed, she received
me with tolerable cordialty-was glad t.
see me, and so forth-inquiled how long
had been in London, how friends in tn
country were, how long stay intended
: making, and all that sort of thing.
This is all very well, said mentally
but it says nothing about dinner, and l an
; half famshcd. What can Robinson meal
by not keeping his appointments
Five minutes, perhaps-and perhap
ten-passed in this sort of talk, and tn
lady, l could perceive, began to groy
mighty fdgetty. Ten to one,' though
Mrs. Robinson was just on the point G
serving up the family dinner as came in
and she is afraid of the roast being over
: done or of other catastrophe Of like nature
How shall l manage it TO set her feet an
hands at liberty and her heart at rest?'
= Il hope am not OBTAINING you mad
S amp stammered at last, for want G
something better to say. If you will al
l low me, will take up book and anus
myself till
MY lady could scarcely suppress stal
: ofastonishment, which plainly said, 'wht
on earth does the man mean?' She di
!, not say this verbally, however, but SUI
a piled its place with did you wish to SC
}, Mr.. Robinson particularly
!, why, my dear madam replied, wit
faint attempt att smile, Il certainly di
n expect to see Mr.. Robinson; he told m
i that two o'clock precisely was his Dime
a hour
This time there was no Disgusting hC
d real feelings. Mrs. RS brow darkene
It like midnight. 1t was plain enough now
IS what l had surmised before-that M
g Robinson had not thought it necessary
Q give his lady due notice of his expecte
|, guest Perhaps he had forgotten the il
i vitation he himself had given two hou
# before. Most likely so, thought, for IL
:, hands of dial on the mante were poin
Q ing to half-past two, and no Mr.. Robinson
Il Il am afraid, my dear madam said
J. that there has been some slight mistake
) Mr.. Robinson certainly asked me to dir
t. with him at two o'clock; but perhaps n,
$, convenient. And as he has probably bee
l detained, and rose and put on my ha
d bad better left this unsaid; it put the c.
o ping stone on the forfeiture of Mrs. Robil
sons good graces. Nobody likes to ha,
'e the countenance read faithfully at q
" times.
al pray don't think of such a think
u leaving, Mrs. Robinson exclaimed, with
at grim smile. Most happy to see you
m our table. l dare say Mr.. Robinson w
3 be in soon; most likely, as you say, he HI
been detained in his office-he often is
n Perhaps you wiU be so kind as TO excu
g, me for few minutes. Mr.. Robinson W
n, not be long,I am sure.' And without wal
at ing fora reply, the lady disappeared mo
n hastily than she had entered the parlor.
at Thinks to myself, 'here's pret
r. muss! If could but make an exit unsee
II l would And blushed to my finger
ct ends, till they fairly tingled. Hang
a family dinners and the men who inv
friends to them' Iunconsciously ejaculi