The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-06-01
humorous Skettlt.
THE VICTIM!ZED LODGER.
BY PAUL CREYToN.

Mr., Benjamin F. Derby returned to town
and his lodgings at Mrs. Coveys rather
sooner than he was expected. 1t was late
in the evening, and having entered by
means of his mig hickey, and finding nobody
stirring, he walked leisurely up to his room.
This was the apartment Mr.. Derby had
always occupied in Mrs. Covey' house but
on this occasion it seemed very little like
home. Before leaving town he had care
fully put away all his clothes in his trunks,
and during his absence other revolutions
had been made in the room which gave it a
different air.
Not the least disagreeablo thing in the
room was darkness. Mr.. Derby had entered
without lamp, expecting to find that desir-
able article ilr the old place; but after knock
ing over an ink bottle, a vase, and snuff
box, in his blind search, he concluded that
the wisest course would be to stop swear
ing and go to bed in the dark.
In no very good huinor Mr.. Benjamin
Derby began TO undress. TO return home
after an absence of two weeks, and to be
obliged to go to bed in such dismal man.
ncr, almt st broke his heart. lie might have
rung for the servants, it is true and he
might have reflected that his friends were
excusable since they did not expect him /;
but Mr.. Benjamin f. Derby chose to remain
angry and silent
"And where is Margaret Maria ?" NUT
tered the unhappy man. oh, faithless
daughter of an unieeling laEdlady didn't
expect this from you! When | tore myself
from your arms two weeks ago You protest.
ed, with tears in your eyes and perhdy in
| your heart, that you would watch with the
anxious eyes of love- for my return Oh,
| this looks like it! Even now, know you
are making yourself merry with some fresh
conquest, or, if you are sleeping under this
roof, you are dreaming of pleasure in which
! / have no share So saying, Mr. Benja-
min +. Derby threw his lrowsers on a chair,
and hegan to grope his way in darkness to
the head of tie bed. At this moment a
merry laugh, CLOSE to his chamber door, star
tied him. Mr. Derby paused.
Margaret Maria's laugh, by all that is
false eroaned MIR. Derby. She said
she would do nothing but sigh and weep
during my absence-and hear her all sue
laughs again! The false heartel---"
Mr.. Derbys reflections were suddenly
interrupted by the sound of hand grasp
ing his door.latch. With considerable trep-
idatiOn he flew to lock the door but before
he could reach il, a merry laugh and blaze
of light and two girls burst into the room.
NOM MI ~ NdS ~ VOL ihONNob ppi ophI
and ii was lucky Circumstance for him
that the closet door was ajar, the retreat
convenient and his limbs active. He lodged
out of sight before the girls had time
to cast their eyes about them and soon the
door was shut and Mr.. Ds oars pinned
back
What time do you suppose it ia 7" asked
Margaret Maria. There, the bells are strik
ing twelve Oh, hain't we had gay time
Susan 2"
'' Gay enough was Susan's reply. "lla
La but wouldn't your poor dear abseM
Derby he amused if he lnew----'
Hal ha! hal" laughed Margaret Maria
! 80 My poor, dear absert Derby That il
too good II he knew Poor fellow i
would break his heart. lie thinks | Dc
nothing but sigh aud cryduring his absence
Am l such goose
: "Such goose? Oh! " groaned Derby
painfully interested. "Oh ;"
Such a goose " echoed Sue q" III