Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-02-21
The Lost Key.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Ls Nudb pOltluUuualC lOSu aUdlu!
"Now, Philip said the little woman,
with word OF pretty pcnitcnce in the
lightened word, don't scold. Upon my
word it is the first time I've mislald it this
whole morning"
''ltis too provoking, Cora" said the
iron hearted husband, pushing back the
books on the table before him with a move,
ment drnoing intense irritation.
"WIlI YOU never break yourself of that
careless habit, my love -
Cora was silent, looking down like a
naughty Chi d who had been chidden.
"lou don't know what annoyance these
careless habits are to a mcthodical man
like lSyscit, dear lie added, in Il gentler
tone, as the coral lips began to trcmble
and the eyes to sufluse. ''Do try to be
more thoughtful, for my sake. here is
your lost treasure" he said, quietly draw
ing tiny case Of pearl and old from his
pocket II found it lying on the stairs,
and thought it most excellent opportu-
nifty Of giving my careless little vile q lee
| SON."
Cora clnpped her little hands at the
sight oil the restored treasure, and danced
out of the room in a girish glec.
"a perfect chid,' murmured the hHs-
band, looking alter her with a smile and
a sigh bleuJing uncousciously into one
.nothcr.
"WeIl ii l lou't make haste, shall be
too late to meet that engagement ou Cedar
stl eet. Let me see, the notes are in my
secretary, believe, Nothing like locking
things up aud keeping the keys yourself.
If Cora only followed ray example,
Mr.. Waiter pau,el abruptly, seeking in
ali his pockets, with nervous haste, for
something that seemed not 10 be forthcom-
lng.
Very strange" muttered he, biting his
lips. - always put it in that vest porket.
possibly l may have laid 1t On the table
among those papers.
The Aforesaid papers rust ed h'ther and
thither Ike animated snowfiskcs as Mf.
Walter hufripdly sought among their con-
fused masses, but it was all in vain
81 cant have lost it," he exclaimed, IN
dire prrplc&ty. And every one oil those
notes is locked up in the secretary with
no earthly chance Of ever getting at them
But | am certain the key caa't be lost
never lose anything Ii won't DO to wal
many more minutes. IN just put on a
clean shirt, and run down town. Han5
that key t.
Mr.. Walter hastened to his room It
complete the details of his toilet ere h
left the house, bat his trials were not ye
destined to terminate. He was metho
dical man, therefore his bureau was care
fully locked; he always kept things in on
place therefore the keys were snugiy re
posing in one corner of tae inAcccsslbI
secretary.
He rashod frpnticaly back to the |
brary, hoping that the key might be Q
the m. ntcpiece, where he had not y
searched. No, it was not there, but
treachnrous ink>taud the contents wher
of, b. unlucky sweep Of the elbov
descended in an ebon cataract over h
shirt bosom-the shirt bosom upon whl'
alone lie had depended.
"Well here is catastrophe! !" he mu
INJURED gloomingly, st1uuchlng the lni
flow With his pocket handkerchief, "Ho'
ever, can button my coat over it for Il
present Let me see-thore is that non'
| promised to pay Smith to day, aud
lie stopped short, cold dew of dism
breaking cut on his lorehead-the mon'
drawer was fixture Of the wretch
secretary
Ponnile.s, shirtlcss, and papcrle
what more desperate state oil affairs eou
his worst enemy desire for him! The
H. was a lower deep yet, however, Won
he not be characterless, likewise, if
wife should, by any inopporluuo ehan'
discover that he, the model OF rule Il
. order, had lost his key? So thought \
For Walter, as he strobe of down town to
day OF parplexitios and modification.
'no 'If ever tease Cora again abont lC
IN ing things," he muttcred inward.y, as
e is entered The tea room on returning hor
I'M. II hope to be drowned with hundl
60 weight of keys about my neck 1t L.
Judgment sent upon me
Is lie unbutoned his coat as be spo
'ne forgctful of the ink stains Of the mornl
one Cora uttered faint scream, and shra
un. back, exclaiming-
;nr "My dear Philip, what is the mai
u.s. with your shirt bosoml
n, The matter "Oh ~ said he CO
L. inc aud Laughing. IL remember nov
aps, I split little ink over 1t this morning
pas. 1t don't signify much.
and "Do let me get you another, dear "
,'ha "No, no. said he, eagerly de'ain
VII" her, at is not at all worth while. do
g down and be easy, my love "
the Cora started 10 carry her babv up to
sd nursery, just as she reached the dc
,hon somctiing jinglci in the pocket of her
'nr" W., lie six apron. She stopped in the T
, sage. 1000.
er' NOh by the way, Philip, here is
now key to your secretary. found 1t on
hers dining table, this afternoon ana
bAo added, with an ach sparkle OF the