The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-05-22
THE LIVE SOFA.

",
low it. The fact is, Mr.. Lundy was
hypochondriac.
For mauy years Mrs. L. had staid at
home and humored his whiRs; but one
season her pretty daughter wanted to
go to a watering place, not for any DIS,
ease, in particular, but to see the worid
and the young folks in it.
Behold them, thon, comfortably estab'
lished in a sea side hotel. For two
days Mr.. Lundy had been all right; but
one morning his poor wife knew what
was coming, by the peculiarity OF bis
looks and motions. Her book fell from
her hand; Minnie turned pale. >,
He's been flighty all the morning"
said Mrs. l.. "Dear. dear, see him
whirl-what is it, Lundy I"
"a feather, my dear-a feather; catch
me. hold me. Don't you see the wind is
blowing Inc everywhere 1t will take me
out to sea, and shall get saturated d
yes, wet through, Mrs. Lundy. l beg
zen to catch me; pin me to your bonnet;
| shall be safe there. Just see how
frightfully ruffie; the slightest puff OF
air agitates me throughout. I'd rather
be anything than this: do put me in
your bennet, my dear"
"Pll put you in a mad-heuse before
long," muttered the exasperated wife,
"if you cut up capers. Come into the
hotel, Mr.. Lundy.'
"Come into the hotel, madam; you
talk as if had legs. Did you ever see
feather walki Why, Pun lighter than
a snow. drift; wish had brick in my
hat to keep me down. Oh! l envy
everything stationary. Observe how
culver; stick pin in me, my dear, and
fasten me the floor. Is there enough OF
ME for peni Am l hen-feather, or
duck feather, or what I"
Goose feather, if anything, you tire
some mortal" cried his wife. "Pm sick
of your vsgaries. First, you're cat on
the roof, mewing and keeping everybody
awake; then you're glass bottle, full OF
water, freezing and swapping; you're
anything and everything but a reasona
BILE man. Pm tired of it"
"Mrs. Lundy, will you have the good
ness to put me in your pocket squeeze
me in your hand; anything, that l may
feel safe in your protecting care. I'm
ahoat"-(singing).
'l'm afioat, Pm atfoat-ah-what'
thatP
Nothing, Mr.. Lunay, but Joe's whip
| called him from the coach-house; lay
ON Joe." ...
"But, my love, my legs"
Nonsense, Mr.. Lundy; lay on Joe
Feathers haven't got legs" r.
"True, Mrs. L., but they have marrow
and that's what feels. Pray beg Joe &c
stop"
Just then ran up little Tom-the only
male hope of the Lundy family-and
strange to say, in his hand handsome
hens feather. A triumphant smile illu'
mined the face of Lundy the elder.
"Now, my DEAR" be SAID gravely
taking the feather in his hand. 81 hope
you'll believe me. My child, look on
that feather, and be thankful; that was
me-"
And little Tom, chuckling at the idea
ran up and down the piazza, repeating
merrily-
"Pa was Il hen, once; dear me, how
funny"
Minpie Lundy was captivating; there
is no doubt auUus *L~t- In pink, blue,
white or green she looked vYu~uy y
charming. There were rich men there
who would have been glad to possess
her, and nice men, and silly to that eX,
tent that they were fools, and didn't
know it. But it happened that young
physician was luckier than them ali,
and poorer. ~ must have that GIRL" he
said, sotto voce, dozen times day,
and then heartily wished that she had a
fever. Probably he saw Minnie through
the back of his head, for he was always
looking out of the window when she
came in, and always blushed violently.
One day Minnie followed her mother
into the parlor. As usual, DR.. Stag was
there.
"My DEAR" cried Mrs. Lundy, who
had Just come from the garden, "you
look excited"
80, mammal and her voice was so
sweetly low; so softly agitated-"we
shall have to leave this place, indeed
we shall. Father is taking on terribly;
some of the boarders are laughing-oth-
ers are shocked"
what is the freak now, my dear :"
"O!he's a rooster, and crows till he's
black in the face"
"A rooster horrible! And here we
are-not doctor we know"
Somebody wheeled round from the
window.
MADAM, l heard you speaking Of
the--ahem-need of a doctor. Excuse
my forwardness-but l am a physi-
clan"
OF course Minnie was more beautiful
than ever in her confusion.
"My poor husband has an unfortunate
tendency that snnoys everybody near
him. $,
perhaps he is hypochondriac. l
think Pve seen him. Where is he, Mad
amt"
"On the north porch" said Minnie.
"And l am sure we are very much
obliged" added the mother, "ifyou can
only help him."
The first thing that struck their ears,
as they issued from the door was q
grand and sonorous ''cock-a doodle
doOp
"Johp-Mr. Lundy," cried his wife
"what sad spectacle you are making
of yourself"
"Pm not spectacle, good woman;
Pm rooster. Get ont of my way-do you
not notice the expanse of my wings 7
Observation-Disclosures
"What shall we dot" cried the poor
wife, turning to the doctor. 10, sir,
can you stop this ridiculous exhibi-
tioni"
"Trust me, madam" said the young
man biting his lip, for the sight vas
almost too ridiculous for his gravity.
"Upon my word," he continued, ad.
dressing the deluded man, "what q
magnificent creaturef Why, his feath-
ers are yard long. Where did yen
get such . splendid specimen Is he i'm
ported"
To be Continued
4 Robert T.. Lucas and Thomas II. Duyer
engaged in little uRpleasantness, in