The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-02-11
THE LOST KEY.

ty hair.
"Is that port naonnote lost again ?"
"No,U Philip" .aid the little woman,
with word OF pretty peniteuce in the
heightened monosyllable, "don't scold
Upon my word, it's the first time I've
mislald it this whole morning"
"It is too provoking, Jane," said the
husband pushing back the books on the
table before him with a movement denot.
ing intense irritation. "Will you never
break yourself of this careless habit, my
love?"
Jano was silent, looking down like a
very naughty child who had been child
den.
"You don't know what an annoyance
these needless habits are to a methodical
man like myself, DEAR" he added, in a
gentler tone, as the coral lip began to
trembIe and the eye to suffuse. DO try
to be more thoughtful, for my sake
Here is your lost treasure" he added,
quietly drawing tiny case of pearl and
gold from his pocket. 81 found it lying
on the stairs, and thought it most ex,
cellent opportunity for giving my careless
little wife IA lesson J"
Jane clapped her hands at the sight of
the restored treasure, aud danced out of
the room in girlish glee.
IA perfect child murmured the hus-
band, looking after her with smile aud
d igh blending uncunsciousy v into one
another. "Well, If | don't make haste,
| shall be too late for that engagement in
the city. Let NE see-the notes are in
my iron safe, | believe. Nothing like
locking up things and keeping the keys
yourself. If Jane only followed my ex-
ample-"
Mr.. Walter paused abrustly, seeking
10 his various pockets, with nervous haste,
for something which seemed not to be
forthcoming.
"Very strange" muttered he, biting
his lip 81 always put it in that waist.
coat pocket Possibly | may Rave laid it
on the table among those papers"
The aforesaid papers rustled hither and
thither, like animated snow fakes, as
Mr.. Walter hurriedly sought among
their confused masses, but it was all in
vain.
81 can't have lost it," he exclaimed, ir
dire perpIexity. "And every one of those
notes is locked up in the safe, with no
earthly chance of ever getting at it But
| am certain the key can't be tost-l
never lose anything 1t won't do to wait
many more minutes-Ill just put on a
clean shirt and run down town. Hang
that confounded key!"
Mr.. Walter FASTENED up to his dress
ing room to complete the details of his
toiIet, ere he lett the house but his tri
ais were not yet destined to terminate.-
He was a methodcul wan, therefore his
wardrobe was carefully locked he al.
ways kept things IN une place, therefore
they we've snugiy leposing in ole corner
Of the Inaccessible iron safe.
He rushed frantiraIly back to The H.
brary, hoping family that the key might
be on the manteI piece, where he had not
yet searched. No, it was not there but
treacherous inkstand uaS, the contents
whereof, by one unlucky sweep of the
elbow, descended in an ebon cataract over
his shirt -frout-the shirt front upon which
alone he had depended
"Well, here is a catastrophe !" he mur-
INJURED, eloomiIy. s'anching the inky flow
with his pocket. handkerchief "Howev-
er, | eau button my coat over for the
present. Let me see-there is that mo-
ney | promised to pay Smithson to-day
aud"
He stopped short cold dew of di..
may breaking out on his forehead-tbe
moDey. drawer was a fixture of the iron
safe
Penniless and shirtless, what more des.
perate state of affairs could his worst en-.
emy desire for him? There was lower
deep yet, hcwever-would lie not be char
acterless. likewise, if his wife should, by
any in opportune chance, discover that
he, the model cf rule and order, had lost
his key So thought Mr.. Walter, as he
went off to day of perpexlties aud NOR.
ti6catIons in the city.
"If ever I tease Jane again about los
ing things" he muttered iuwardly. as he
entered the room on returning home. II
hope to be drowned with hundred.
weight of keys about my neck It's GER
tainly judgment upon me!'
He unbuttoned his coat as he spoke for.
getful of the INK stains cf the morning.
Jane uttered faint scream and shrank
back, exclaimiug:
"My dear Philip, what is the matter
with your shirt"
"The matter! Oh! J" said he, coloring
and laughing, 81 remember now-I split
q little ink over It this morning. 1t don't
signify much"