The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-11-16
@isfellaueuns.
From HaTsrs Mas,sins
LOOKING UNDER THE BED.

Il Is the habit Of many persons to take q
look under the bed before retiring for the
night Mn. Evergreen, my beloved wife,
indulges, if indulgence 1t can be called, in
this peculiar practice. do not object to ],
in the least 80 long as she does not enforce
the performance upon myself; but when,
as 10 sometimes the case, she forgets 1t until
she has put out the light and ensconced
herself under the comforter, then Il Is hard
that ], who am not troubled with nervous
apprehensiveness, should have TO get out in
in the cold and do II for her. have often
remarked to Mrs. Evergreen when ! have
seen her prying under the bed, that 1t was
a silly habit, and that the sooner she gave
il up the better. To this gentle adInonilion
my better.half invariably rejoins:
"La, Evergreen what harm does It do ?
It's kind Of satisfaction to know that no.
body's there, and then don't think Of such
horrible thing after I'm in bed"
81 think, my dear. you might just as
well pursue your investigations further and
look into the bureau drawers and the
clothes-basket."
Evergreen, don't mention the idea, or
! shall certainly do so. Come to think Of
il, a man could very easily get Into the
clothes.basket."
"Cer,ainly he could, my dear, quito rs
easily as Falstatf. You should certainly IN.
clude the clothes basket, and by-'he.by,
there's the chimney; why not look up
that us well?"
"Now, Evergreen, you're laughing at me
but can't leave off the habit aud never
will. It's comfort for mo to know that
there's nothing wrong ubout It, and don't
see why you should deprive me of It."
so under the bed goes the candle, and
no signs Of humanity being discovered,
Airs. Evergreen is able to repose In peace
But, rs already observed, this precautionary
act Is sometimes forgotten and am myself
obliged to rise, light the lamp, and report.
We done 1t rather moro frequently Of late
than is agreeable, and have minated rs
much to MIS-. T.. She says:
'very well, Evergreen, III do Il myself"
But llIis procedure Is almost as bad, for
she invariably let's the cold IN Oh ine boil,
in getting out and gct,in in. IL II were not
for increasing this mental idiosyncrasy on
the part Of Mrs. Evergreen by giving her
some good reason to apprehend danger, l
should relate to her what am about TO lay
before the reader. In this nafrution. there
fore, ask the public most particularly to
bear in mind that Mrs. Evergreen is Of n
sensitive nature, rather apprehcnsive and
slightly supersiitious, and that what have
to say must under no circumstance be inn.
parted to that lady. lf for two.and twen-
" years (that Is the period Of our welded
life, and happy years have they been If,
I say, l have for this long period rcfinined
from imparting the matter to the beloved
sharer Of my Joys and partaker Of my sor.
rows. surely the public (which, as we
know, always does keep secret) will Keep
mine.
All young men, I suppose. have love nf-
fairs before they eventually fix their afiec-
tions on the one who is to bless their lot in
life. ! know that had, and don't regret
il. Regret il? far from II. Ms. Evergreen
is not present. and therefore have no hes
i,ation in saying that if I had my life to
live over again I d ike to 90 through with
the same sentimental experience, particu.
larly if it was to be succeeded by again
leading to the hymenial altar the present
Mrs. Evergreen
was not bad looking when was In my
twentics think may 90 further, aud
confidently say that "Gus Evergreen" was
decided iavori,e among The girls Of Oak.
vile, and really believe that could have
had any Of them "for the asking AS
before remarked. Mrs. Evergreen is not
present, and indulge my thoughts some
what more freely than would otherwise be
the case. don't think that cured partic.
uIarly for any of the Oakville girls. how
ever, aud nigh, have kept my hear. whole
to this day if il had not been for the cir
culnstances which am about to relate.
Fred Evans, who had l'een my cbum nj
school, came to make me visit at Oakville
for IA day or two," as he said, when he
came but he made II week or two easily
enough after I'd taken him about among
the .young ladies'" When that time had
expired Fred said he really must 30 as he
didn't know what his father und mother
would think Of his long absence but 1t
ended in his relieving their anxiety by
letter and sending for his trunks. knew
how the matter was perfectly well, and
tha, Belle Bronson had bewitched him out
of his five senses. Fred used TO put II OH
TO the .couutry air and the quiet which was
bcneftiing his health, etc.," but j wns no
Use trying to deceive me, and told him 80:
Then he owned up frankly, and promised
to help him all could ii he required any
help in the prosecution Of his suit ney
er thought Belle firt, or that she would
willingly distress any human being; but
she had a way Of looking into ones eyes
Us if to captivate them for her more per.
sonal amusement. Al any rute she had
larger share Of beaux than the other girls,
hui all their attentions came to nothing.
feared il might be 30 with Fred Evans
and warned him accordingly; hut Fred
said he d shave her if he tried nll his lite !;
that "witl,out her, life was naughtto him
tina, ..she was the only living being who
had ever awakened real emotion in Ills
breast" etc. etc. Aner that ! said no more
hut closely observed the lovers, and soon
came to the conclusion that Fred was by
no means disagreeable TO her. Things
went on in this way without any definite
result, until Fred received 4 sudden sum.
mons home ON account Of his motllar's ILL.,
ucss. When lie came back TO renew bis
,isi, he Insisted upon staying at the Oak
vile Hotel rather than wear out his well
come ut our house, and finding rcnloi's,ra'l-
ces unayailing. there he went. Tie land.
lord (honest old Downsbury-l wonder IL
he lives) gave Fred, at my suggestion, his
best bed room '.No. 20"-l am particular
in mentioning the number. He shall have
No. 90" said Downsha,ry. "Any friend Of
youn. Master Augustus, shall have the be:, :,
have TO give as long a. ] am landlord.