The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-23
m A N PR O p o s z s.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
CHAPTER 1.
NY FRAME OF MIND.

NY FRAME OF MIND.
What, Mrs. Slocombe you 'looked at that
fire quarter OF an hour ago, and it was all
right. then? % l am sorry to contradict a
woman under any circumstances; but really,
Mrs. Slocombe, you are old enough to know
better. Yes, Mrs. Slocombe, old oneugh. l
say it advisedly, and you must be aware your
No, did not say that you were old, abso-
lutely old; simply said that you were old
enough to know better, and that position
still maintain. 1t is a physical impossibility
that this fire could have been all right quar-
ter of an hour ago, and it's no use
saying any mere about it. l am the
best tempered Of men, not to say of
SlooOmbe; but / do not like to be talked
to as if / were a child or simpleton. Never
mind. Well not say any more about it now;
-recolleot-unless l meet with more
attention in such matters as this, you and l
part. It's too bad, declare! A lonely
Christmas Eve, and not spark OF fire nor
drop of hot water to brew glass Of punch
with; while you, suppose, are going out to
spend the evening In jovial company. Don't
be too jovial, Mrs. Slocombe, that's all.
Recollect, shall want my breakfast at the
usual time in the morning Not a minute
later mind Christmas or no Christmas. /
knew your amiable weakness in the matter of
other peoples gin. Mrs. Slocombe; but have
some discretion, pray. 0h-now we're in
passion, are wei Hope it won't spoil your supper.
Stop, Mrs. Slocombe. Don't 60 yet. Where is the
catf Not knowi You don't know where the
cat is3 Have l never told you that l like to
have the cat in my room Of an evening" No,
of course / don't expect You to go running
over the roofs after the cat; and ! must say
that don't consider it respectful in you to
make such remark; but / do think that
when 60 to such an enormous expense to
maintain your cat, | might surely have the
pleasure Of it's society now aud then-the only
society am able to get now, poor wretch that
i am / What is that you say 7 Ran away
after stealing the ehickenf What chicken
which chickenY whose chickenY Heavens above!
was there ever such audacity Do you mean to
tell me-can you tell me without blushing that
your cat has eaten my cold chicken which
was to have had for my support Nay, will
be calm-but this is too muchl shall not
condescend to handy words with you, Mrs.
Slocombe. To morrow is Christmas Day: on
the day following we will discuss the matter
more fully. / wish you a very good night,
Mrs. Slocombe. What is that you sayf Not
going to light my pipe? Yes, of course am
going to light ny pipe. How do you think
am going to spend Christmas Eve all alone,
without as much as having a piper Oh,
indeed The new lady lodger on the frat
floor complains that she smells the smoke 1t
goes up the chimney, does itY Then pray
give my compliments to your lady lodger, Mrs.
Slocombe, and inform her with all due oour-
tesy that shall smoke when | please, and as
much as please and whether she or you like
it or not. And you may add, Mrs. Slocombe
that she will not be annoyed by it much longer
for that am going to leave the house this day
week:-yes, this day week, Mrs. Slocombe
and let us see whether you will get as good
and as easily pleased lodger again. There
] have done. / meant to have let Christmas
pass before giving notice, but that last
outrage finished me. This day week leave
you. There,-that's enough - goodnight,
Mrs. Slocombe, goodnight.
So, that is overland / am glad OF it,
Things were really getting quite uncomfortable
Here's pretty s'ate of things for Christmas
Eve No fire, no hot water, no supper, no.
body to talk to--not even a cat; and If nv
landlady and that blessed lady lodger of hers
some old maid, suppose-could have had
their way, not even as much as a quiet smoke |
j did look forward TO some little comfort when
came home, for never did | want il more. 1t
is not that care so much for the things them
selves, as that IL is an affair of sentiment, OF
feeling. came home with the full intention
of thoroughly enjoying the fact that l am a
bachelor: of saying to myself-''See how happy
am No wife to soold me; no baby to squall;
NO servants to trouble me; in short,
no harass, worry, no vexation, no care.
There is my fragrant glass Of punch, here my
priced, my MISUNDERSTANDING short pipe,
abomination Of wives. Long for me, ladies';
long in vain--I am proof to your attractions.
Envy me, husbands, sigh for the Independence
you have lost. Attain IL again you never can:
for even a WidoWar In not a bachelor; he has