The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-05-12

extlngulshed Peabody, but 1 was on fir
with jealous apprehensions myself: Wha
ana 1t all mean? For sixteen years m
wife had never taken any excursion unles
IN my company, upon which, she had al
ways given me to understand, she dotted
and yet, after refusing to 60 out with M
upon Monday and Thursday last, on tn
plea of sore throat, she had started the in
slant that my back was turned, in Han
som-or even supposing it was a four
wheeler-in cab, without white glove
on, and - Confound it, here was row
in the pantry, and one which my peace o
mind demanded to have cleared up a
once. Gamma Maria," cried l huskiIy
from the bottom Of the stairs-''Ann;
Maria, l wish to speak with you immedi
ately"
"Lor' bless me-" answered my wifi
from the top story, cit isn't one of thu
children, is it, John? Pray tell me the
worst at once
"No, madam, it is l." replied l stiffly
Then it's the kitchen chimney" ex
claimed she, in dogmatic tone. ''Ant
didn't tell Mary to have it swept week
ago; and now the fire engines will spoi
everything, even if we are not burnt Out
of house and home.''
Was it possible that this woman could
have deceived me, as Peabody had said
and yet talk SO simply of her children,
and of house and home? BY the time
Anna Maria had got down to the draw
ing room flight, | began to be rather
ashamed ofmyself When the mother OF
eight reached my sitting room door, with
her honest face aglow with animation.
and her voice so earnest about the SCOT,
did not dare to mention what had in nv
mind
Il called you down, dear, to say that
| was going to give myself holiday to-
day, and to ask you to come with me to
Hampstead Heath, and dine at Jack
Straw's castle this afternoon, it being such
a beautiful day"
y ray of JOY passed for an instant over
her features, and then, as if recollectinc
herself, she began to stammer that she
was very, very sorry, but really she had
so much to do about the house Just then !:
if | would only wait until Friday week.
which was my birthday, then we would
90 somewhere, and she should enjoy it
above all measure. This afternoon, how
ever, the thing was impossible
Well" said | gravely, I'VE have not
many holidays together, and | am sorry
You had a sore throat on Monday and
Thursday when offered you a similar
opportunity"
80 yes" answered she, shaking her lit
tie head, which is very prettily-could it
be too prettily !-set upon her shoulders ;
s. it is quite impossible that l could 90 out
with that throat
Here" thought |, for she could not
have gone out without her throat. sis
some dreadful talsehood; but Peabody
may have told it, and not She Perhaps
she never went out at all. Should not
rather believe the wife of my bosom than
that Scandalous old retired indigo mer-
chant. Was it not base even to suspect
Anna Maria Of deception! Doubtless it
was; but yet thought | would just salts
fly myself with my own eyes
''Very well. observed | quietly, ''since
you cannot come with me to-day, l shall
90 to the city as usual. | don't care for
a holiday by myself"
"Poor, dear fellow" said Anna Maria
coaxingly, as she helped ME on with my
great coat, Il am quite grieved to disap-
point you. Good by, John Mind you
have a good luncheon; it's very bad for
you eating those buns and rubbish
All, what a tangled web we weave"
says somebody, "when first we practice
to deceive" though after but little try
ing, there's nothing easier than lying. |
protest felt like a pick-pocket, as dodg-
ed and lurkcd about our Crescent, watch
ing in the distance my own door, to see
whether Mrs. r. would cross the thresh-
old. | suppose [ have none of the at
tributes necessary to the profession of a
detective, for whenever a passer-by cast
his eyes on me, felt myself blushing all
over, and hanging my head on one side,
as a dog hangs his tail l dared not, OF
course, stop in the Crescent, but loitered
at the corner of street which command
ed it, now trying to dig up the tops of the
coal cellers by inserting the nozzle of my
umbrella in their circular holes, and now
eleciting mournful music by dragging it
against the area ratings. Exhausted
with these exercises, l had been leaning
against a lamp post for about ten minutes
when the door of a house opposite opened
suddenly, and a widow lady of vast pro-
portions came swiftly out upon me with
her cap strings streaming in the wind.
Nov you just go away, my gentle
man." said she in menacing voice, "be-
fore the police makes you. 1 know who
you're a-looking for, and can tell you
she amt a-coming, for I've got her locked
up in the coal celler. l know you, al
though you have not got your red coat OF
to-day; and mind-if you get another
slice Of meat in my house, I'll prosecute
you as sure as my names Mivins"
'Gracious heavens, madame!" cried L
"do you take me for common soldier %
No, sir" answered she maliciously
"but for tuppenny-ha'penny life guards
man, who never saw shot fired in hi