The hydraulic press., 1860-07-07
Che alydranlie gress.
.Births: Mrs. Meek, of son.o

births: Mrs. Meek, OF SON."
My name is Meek. lam, in fact, Mr.. Meek.
That son is mine and Mrs. Meek's. When
read the announcement in the Times, drop
ped the paper. l had put it in myself, and
paid for it, but it looked so noble that it
overpowered me.
As soon as could compose my feelings,
l took the paper up to Mrs. Meek's bedside
"Maria Jane," said |, Il allude to Mrs. Meek
"you are now public character"
We read the review of our child, several
times, with feelings of the strongest emo
ton; and sent the bay, who cleans the
boots and shoes, to the office for fifteen cop
les. No reduction was made for taking that
quantity.
1t is scarcely necessary for nae to say that
our child had been expected. In fact, it had
been expected, with comparative confidence
for some months. Mrs. Meeks mother, who
resides with us=-of the name of Bigby-had
made every preparation for its admission to
our circle.
hope and believe am quiet man.
will 90 farther. knoao / am quiet man.
My constitution is tremulous, my voice was
never loud, and, in point of stature, have
been from infancy, small. have the great
est respect for Maria James mamma. In my
opinion, she would storm town single
handed, with hearth broom, and carry it.
have never known her to yield any point
whatever, to mortal man. She is calculated
to terrify the stoutest heart.
Still-but will not anticipate.
The first intimation that | had of any
preparations being in progress on the part
of Maria James mama, was one afternoon,
several months ago. | came home earlier
than usual from the office, and, proceeding
into the dining room, found an obstruction
behind the door, which prevented it from
opening freely. 1t was an obstruction of a
soft nature. On looking in, found 1t to be
a female.
The female in question stood in the ccrncr
behind the door, consuming Sherry Wine.
From the nutty smell pervading the apart
ment, have no doubt she was consuming a
second glassfull. She wore black bonnet
of large dimensions, and was copious in fig
ure. The expression of her countenance was
severe and dscontented. The words 10
which she gave ut,erance on seeing HE,
were these:
'sOh, git along with you, Sir, if you
please me and Mrs. Bigby don't want no
male parties herel'
The female was Mrs Prodgit.
l Immediately withdrew, of course. |
was rather hurt, bat made no remark
Whether it was that showed lowness of
spirits after dinner, in consequence of feel
ing that seemed to intrude, | cannot say.
But, Maria James mamma said to me on her
retiring for the night, in low distinct voice,
and with look of reproach that quite sub
dued me, George Meek, Mrs. Prodgit is
your wife's nursei"
/ bear no ill-wiil towards Mrs. Prodgit.-
Is it likely that l, writing this with tears in
my eyes, should be capable of deliberate ani>
mostly towards female so essential to the
welfare of Maria Jane? am willing to ad-
nit that Fate may have been to blame, and
not Mrs. Prodgit; but it is undeniably true
that the latter female brought desolation
and devastation into my lcwly dwelling.
We were happy at her first appearance I;
we were sometimes exceedingly so. But
whenever the parlor door was opened, and
mrs, Prodgtr' announced land she was
very often announced) misery ensued. |
could not bear Mrs. ProdgIt's look. felt
that was far from wanted, and had no be-
siness to exist in Mrs. Prodgit's presence
Between Maria James mamma, and Mrs.
Prodgit, there was dreadful secret under
standing-a dark mystery and conspiracy,
pointing me out as a being to be stunned.
| appeared to have done something that was
evil. Whenever Mrs. Prodgit called, after
dinner, Iretired to my dressing g-room-where
the temperature is very low indeed, in the
wintry time of the year-and sat looking at
my frosty breath as it rose before me, and
at my rack of boots serviceable article OF
furniture, but never, in my opinion, an ex-
hilarating object. The length OF the coun-
ellis that were held with Mrs. Prodgit, under
these circumstances, | will not attempt to
describe. will merely remark, that Mrs.
Prodgit always consumed sherry wine while
the deliberations were in progress that
they always ended in Maria Jane being in
wretched spirits on the sofa and that MAJ
ria James mama always received me, when
was recalled, with look of desolate tri-
umph that too plainly said:
"Nop, George Meekl You see my child,
Maria Jane, q ruin, and hope you are satz
isfed -
pass, generally, over the period that in
tervened between the day when Mrs. Prod
git entered her protest against male parties,
and the ever-memorable midnight, when |
brought her to my unobtrusiye home in a
cab, with an extremely large box on the
roof, and bundle, box, bandbox, and a
basket between the drivers legs. l have no
objection to Mrs. Prodgit (aided and abet-
ted) by Mrs. Bigby, who / can never forget
is the parent of Maria Jane) taking entire
possession of my unassuming establishment
In the recess of my own breast, the thought
may linger that man in possession cannot
be so dreadful as woman, and that woman,
Mrs. Prodgit; but / ought to bear good