Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-06-26

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fired one end Of it, It afforded her suili.
cient light for her labors-lor Mr.. Z.
had closed the blinds, for the better Sc.
crrily Of the culprit.
On some Goals in 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, occasionly
punching up tho fire with the fiddle, for
Mr. p. had, with commcndable foresight,
removed the shovel and tongs.
Mr.. p. condcscended 10 peep through
the keyhole, until he had Obtained a
pretty correct idea Of what was going on
within. Never was Pepper so fired as
he. He shook the door, it was securely
fastened within, and resisted all his Of.
forts to open it. lie ordered Mrs. Pep.
per 10 open or take the consequences /;
but as she did not open it, it is 10 be
presumed that she preferred the conse.
quences. Mr.. p. darted down stairs
like madman.
81 must put stop 10 this" he thought,
cor | shall not have a rag OF clothes on
my back"
Procuring ladder, he began TO mount
to the bedroom but Mrs. P. was not 10
be taken so easily. She knew that he
had left the door unlocked, for she had
examined it as soon as he had left but
she had no idea OF letting him have the
benefit Of her fire ; so, hastily seizing
several lage bottles of cologne, she
threw the contents upon the fire, and
in few minutes had the satisfaction Of
seeing It entirely ex,ingushcl. Tia,
duty performed, she left the apartment,
and locking tho door, she stationed her.
self in convenient position to hear ev'
erylhing that transpircd within.
In few moments Mr.. p was safe 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
a deep voice
Jezebel, come forth"
No answer.
"Jade, do you think to escapc?"
Still no lespose. Mr.. P. begins 10
feel uneasy, and hastily commences to
search the room; but had not proceeded
far when he hears slight title. some.
where 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 one more chance, he thinks,
and hurries 10 the window; but alas for
Mr.. Pepper! his wife has just removed
the ladder and he cannot escape.
He sits down on chair and looks
ruelully around him, and presently he
arises and picks up few fragments OF
letter which is lying on the carpet,
and finds it is from Polly Primrose. He
wonders what she has done with the lock
of hair.
At this moment his eye falls upon his
dasuerreotype, which is lying on the ta'
Bile before hm-mechanically taking il
up, he opens it, and sees--what? moth
ing but his own face. All tho rest o.
him being rubbed off, and around his
lovely phiz is the missing curl, and the
walnut meats are carefully slowed in the
corner of the case. Mr.. P. fairly blub
bered aloud.
"Good!' thought Mrs. P, "when you
find your level, I'll let you out, and moi
till then. A little wholesome discipline
will do you good, and I'm fully prepared
10 administer it."
How long Mrs. Pepper kept her liege
lord in durance vile, deponent saith moi
and as 10 what passed between them
when he was released from captivity, we
are not any better Informed, but Of thi:
we are sule, Mr.. Pepper might have
been seen, morning or two afterwards
10 put his head into the bedroom, ant
heard say in meek manner
"Betsy Jane, I've made the kilcher
fire; and put on the tea.keltle; won
you please to get up and get breakfast.