The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-07-13

his eye to the keyhole, he beheld n sight
which made him fairly boil with rage
Mrs. Pepper was sitting in trout Of the
fireplace reading his old love letters. The
one she was engaged in perusing at that
particular moment, was from Miss Polly
Primrose, who, it appeared, had once looked
favorably on the suit Of Mr.. Pepper but a
more dashing lover appeared on the scene,
promising her undSing friendship and ac-
companying the same with lock Of hair,
and some walnut meats.
But it was not the love letter alone that
made P. 80 outrageous. He had been
something of traveller in his day, and had
collected a great many curiosites in his
rambles, which he had deposited in a cup
board in the very room where lie had con-
fined his wife, and she had got at them.
She had split up an elegant writing desk
with his Indian battle axe, in order to have
a fire, as the day was rather chilly. In one
corner of the fireplace was Mr.. Peppers
best beaver; filled up with love letters.
On n small table, close to Mrs. p, was
beautiful fla. China dish, filled with bears
oil, in which she had sunk Mr. P.'s best sat
in cravat. and having fired one end Of it, it
| afforded her sufficient light for her labors-
| for Mr. ?. had closed the blinds, for the bet
ter security of the prisoner.
On some coal,in the front of the fire was
Mr.. P:'s silver christening bowl, in which
Mrs. P. was popping corn, which she ever
and anon stirred with the fiddle-bow !;
meanwhile, occasionally punching the fire
|, i I h.
mendable foresight, removed the shovel aud
tongs.
Mr. Pepper continued to peep through
the key hole until he had obtained pretty
correct idea Of what was going on within.
Never was Pepper so fired as hc lie
shook the door, but it was securely fastened
within; and resisisted all efforts to open it.
Fle ordered Mrs. Pepper to open it or take
the consequences; it is to be presumed that
she preferred the consequences. Mr.. Pep
per darted down the stairs like mailman.
II must nut 4 stop to this or I shall not
have Il rag OF clothes to my back
Procuring ladder, he began to mount
to the window but Mrs. p. was not to be
taken SO easily. She knew that he had left
the door unlocked, for she had examined
as soon as he left; but she had no idea of
letting him have the benefit of her fire; so,
hastily seizing several large bottles Of CO.
logne, she threw the contents upon the fire,
and in a few minutes had the satisfaction
of seeing it entirely extinguished. That
duty performed, she left the apartment, and
locking the door, she stationed herself in
convenient position to hear everything that
transpircd within.
In few moments Mr.. P. was safely in
the apartment, and as soon as he had closed
the window, he stood bolt upright in the
middle of the room, and said in deep
voice:
"Jezebel, como forth!"
No answer
"Jade do you think to escaped"
Still no response. Mr.. Pepper begins to
feel uneasy and hastily commences to search
the room, but had not proceeded far, when
he hears a slight litter somewhere in the
vicinity Of the door. He listens moment,
and it is repeated. Darling to the door, he
attempts to open it, but he finds himself a
prisoner. There is but one more chance,
he thinks, and hurries to the window; but
alas for Mr.. Pepper! his wife has just re-
moved the ladder, and he cannot escape.
He sits down on chair and looks rueful-
ly around him, and presently he arises and
picks up a few fragments of letter which
is lying on the carpet, and finds it is from
Polly Primroses lie wonders what she has
done with the lock Of, hair.
At this moment his;eye falls upon his da-
guerreotype, which is lying on the table be-
fore him. Mechanically taking it up, he
opens it, and sees-what? nothing but his
own facial the rest Of him being rubbed
off; and around his lovely pbiz is the mis-
sing curl, and the walnut meats are careful
ly slowed in the corner of the case. Mr..
P. fairly bIubbcred aloud. 80
l "Good !" thought Mrs. ?. "wheu You
find your level, I'll let you out, and notstill
then. A little wholesome disciplineswil]
do you good, and Tin fully prepared to ad:
minister it."
How long Mrs. Pepper kept her liege
lord in durance vile, deponent saith not,
and as to what passed between them when
he was released from captivity, we are not
any better informed; but Of this Me are
. sure, Mr.. Pepper might have ,been4sesp,
: Enorning or two. .afterward, to put his: head e
into the bed room, and say in ameek man
ner: sHs45 l:fsss.E.sts ~, :. s.,t
r Betsy Jane, Tys made the kitchen fire
and put on Che tea -kettIe, won't you pleas,
to get up and get breakfast" s;ssss sss .,ss,i
t#ssM AXIS YoUs CHolcE az Fatbsf, saidssjj
9 efjavenile to hisI parental guardian, whS kA,
5 the bad habit OF alternating from piety t
nst~, ct do ;fb;,l x,o,, ,rvHt 5f<>t al -,