The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-17

up at the ceiling "Well, should saw it.
very likely he might a. called hisseI1
brown at some period or other"
Then I've got him, Drabs," cried Fer
ret. ga human cuckoo that leaves his
brood in any nest that will hold them =
He'll be here directly"
"But are yon snre he's my man ?" asked
Drabs, not to be ton nasty in the matter.
Tall - said Ferret
"Well, betwixt and between"
Rather thin g.
"Not eorpnlent, certainly" answered
Drabs, CHANGING at his own well-developed
figure.
tits the same mani" said Ferret. 81
expect him here every moment. You shall
pounce upon him like q hawk. Let me
introduce you to another victim of Brown
said Ferret, drawing aside the cnrtain Of
the bath, Mr.. Drabs of Pankers, Mr.
Spoonef of B. You'll soon know
each other-mutual wrongs are like the
thongs which bound the .tasces" A CLASH
cal figure of speech, in great favour with
Mr.. f. at all local meetings.
The trap being set and baited, Mr.. Fer
ret proceeded to his dressing room to make
his toilet, exulting in his anticipated tri-
umph over the credulity of Mrs. Ferret,
should Brown return, or not.
He was not quite so clever as he thought
himself
There was evidently elimination of
events threatening the House of Ferret
tins morning, for to the terror of Wapshot
(the real egg-sucker) Mr.. Mango knocked
at the door.
Mrs. Ferret was very pleased and sur
prised to see Mr. Mango, and told him so.
"You are most kind" said the old gen
tl6man. II have long desired to pay this
visit, indeed it was my business here at
b, but Mr.. Ferret's extraordinary
conduct with regard to those Aylesbury
ducks made it impossible"
PRAY think no more of that, my dear
SIT. Mr.. Ferret had been very i'll with a
fever and lost-lost-"
His wits ?" asked Mr.. Mango
"NO, sir, not his wits, but remarkable
fine head of hair, and the loss made him
very irritable. Besides, 1 must own, that
though he is a most atfectonate husband,
he is the most suspicious man alive"
What has ma lie him so ?" inquired Man
go.
II think it is his profession" replied
Mrs. Ferret. "He is a lawyer; and, there
fore, sees so much of the bad side of hui
man nature, that he almost doubts if there
be good one. Pray think no more OF that
ridiculous matter"
"Well, for your sake" said Mr.. Mango.
II will not. You know Mr.. Brown, be-
lieve9"
HE called here this morning." replied
Mrs. Ferret; ''and--really 1 am ashamed
to own it-bnt John suspects him of some
design upon him l would give great
deal TO cure John of this unfortunate dis
position to be so distrustful."
"Humph!" grun ted Mr. Mango, and it
was evident Mr.. Ferret was no favorite
with the old Indian. MY visit to YOU
he continued, "has reference to an inter
view have had with Mr.. Brown"
Mr.. Ferret having completed his toilet,
substituting wig, which George the
Fourth would have envied, for his oil
cloth eXtinguisher, fancied he heard vol
the door, as stealthi!y as cat, opened it
without noise, and to his surprise saw Mr..
Mango in conversation with his wife, and
heard the hated name of Brown.
'9Onr maiden name," said Mango, twas
Chubb.'
whats that to him ?" thought Ferret;
81 changed it,"
"Yon We're an orphan, and married a
man older than yourself"
Like his impudence," muttered Ferret;
"he's been looking up the parish register y
"You had an uncle Godfrey, who years
ago went to India-a bankrupt, worthless
fellow"
"He had been unfortunate" replied Mrs.
Ferret, "bnt my mother always said
he was the kindest of brothers"
Mango paused for a moment, took the
hand of Mrs. Ferret, and looking at her
tenderly said, You are very like your
mother, in openness of face and confidence
of disposition. Brown has told me of your
lending him your watch"
"Of course" thought Ferret, land laugh
ed at her stupidity"
ale left one with you?" asked Mango
"Yes, and here it is" replied Mrs. Ferret;
Il recognizein it Il very old acquaintance u
"And an older one" said Mango. "Do
you mind trusting this to mo for a short
time ?''
ooh, certainly not" answered Mrs. Fer
rett, giving Mango the wonderful piece OF
mechanism.
81 see it ALL" thought Ferret. Brown
has her watch: Mango gets Browns and
Mrs. T. is done out of beth"
81 knew your nncle weI,'' said Mango
"Some years ago he sent you 1ocket-I
see it there. May be allowed to look at
it ?''
''He will have the wedding-ring off he1
finger, presently" thought Ferret, and be-
gan to consider whether he was not bound
as a husband to present himself. The re-
tnrn of Mr.. Brown left him no alternative
Either the abruptness of Ferret's en-
trance into the room or the magnificence
of his wig overpowered his visitors. and
neither spoke for nearly minute, whilst
he, with arms folded and figure erect
looked anything but II welcome.
"John!" exclaimed Mrs. Ferret, at length
what is the matter with you 2"
A look was her only answer, and then
Ferret took from the table the blue bag
brought by Spooner, and producing the
hat left behind by the burglar, threw il
with great force at the feet of Mr.. Brown
is the man mad ?" cried Mango.
Ferret, undisturbed by the remark, plac
ed himself opposite to Brown, and in a his
sing whisper, which would of made any
tragedian's fortune, said. "a wife and five
children are in Paukers workhouse.-
Where is the husband ? Where is the fa
ther 2" rsa ,
Glow should I know, my dear sir?" re
piled Brown, getting rather alarmed.
"The house of a peaeeable citizen was
broken into last night. That hat was lef
behind"
"Well, sir" remarked Brown, not in The
least understanding why the information
was contided so particularly to him.
But we were warned in time" said Fer
ret, raising his voice to n gallery pitch
Thanks to the Electric Telegraph. Rea(
that sir from our excellent relative, Mr.