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

the look.
81 am sure Twill" said Brown, with an
emphasis which made Ferret start, and al
most alarmed his jealousy.
AT twelve | will be punctual," said Mr..
Brown, referring to his watch, which, to
his apparent surprise, had stopped aa hour
pray, make use of mine,' exclaimed
Mrs. Ferret. at was present from nv
dear uncle, and goes capitalIy."
"Goesl Of course it does p whispered
Ferret, holding up the telegram at the
back of their visitor.
81 thank you very much" answered
Brown, "and will, with your permission,
leave my watch with you. 1t is strange
looking affair"
1t was, and quite justified Ferret's re-
mark, who, on learning that it had come
from India, observed.
"Ihe climate must be favorable to watch
es, if they generally grow to the size of the
present specimen"
MIR. Brown merely looked at him in re-
ply, and then addressing Mrs. Ferret, said
with some earnestness, alt is OF. English
make, nam, and hope to have something
to tell you about it when / return"
"When he returns" whispered Ferret,
again showing his telegram.
(Which will be at twelve" returned his
wife, pointing significantly to the letter.
"To moment" added Browns; $50 for
the present wish you good morning
''John Ferret said the lady, when
Brown had left. the house; "John Ferret,
| blush for you! How can you be such
bear ''
II am ashamed Of you," retorted Ferret,
"for being such a fool. Do you expect to
see that watch any more? You had better
have handle put to the one he has left
you, and use it as warming-pan. To call
that watch! A steam-enoine of twenty
horse power at least All you may well
stare at it. However, its your own doing,
and If you lose your watch, don't ask me
to buy another"
Mr.. Browns odd-looking timepiece seem
ed to interest Mrs. Ferret strangely so
much so that she burst into tears and left
the room.
Mr. Ferret was rather pleased than 9TH
erwise at his wife's tribulalion, receiving it
as testimony to his oratory and discrm-
ination, two things upon which be prided
himself exceedingly.
A client was now announced, and Mr..
Ferret, utterly unmindful of his singular
head-dress, requested the new conner to be
shown into the breakfast parlor.
"Well, Spooner! an early bird this
morning" said Ferret. whats the mat
ter? Sit down."
Mr.. Spooner, who was at all times very
nervous in Mr.. Ferret's presence. now
evinced an increased trepidation at finding
he had intruded upon the worthy lawyers
privacy, and it was not until he had been
told to Ego on and to fire away, that he
ventured to observe that he had come for
q little advice"
"And shall have it cheap" said Ferret,
,encouragingly. Thirteen and fourpence
an hour isn't dear. Is it?"
mo sir, l suppose not"
:"Five minutes past ten,' continued Fer
ret, looking at his watch; "say ten, SO fire
away"
Mr.. Spooner shook a good deal, and
obeyed.
Il have been broken into Mr.. Ferret"
''What? 2"
Il was a victim to burglary last night
[ was in bed"
Nothing unusual in that" said Ferret
NO, Slr-and asleep.
"And snoring?
mo, sir; thank goodness my worst enc
my can't accuse me of that ! heard
noise in the wash-house. Up I GETS
"And down you goes, of course; and
there you saw ?"
"A man who cried out, Take care"
"Of Brown" exclaimed Ferret starting
up.
II can't say, sir, but he threw bottle
Jack at me, and threw boot,jack in re-
turn, and-and-and knocked off this"
said Spooner, producing blue bag, which
contained something bulky.
"Knocked off his head ?' inquired Fer
ret.
"No; I wish it had been It's only his
hat," and Spooner produced w-crowned
broad-brimmed beaver, very much the
worse for the service it had seen.
Now, strange to say, Browns hat was
Just the same shape, and as "trifles light as
air are to the jealous mind confirmation as
strong as proofs ofholy writ" (the idea is
not ours.) and Mr.. Ferret being as we have
already observed, of a suspicious tempera-
ment, he instantly exclaimed,
GAS live, it's that scoundrel Brown"
"What clever man you are, Mr.. Fer
ret you know the hat. The man was"
"Tall," said Ferret. Brown was tall.
"No-short,' said Spooner.
"No-tall," cried Ferret: "he can shut
himself up like telescope, no doubt"
"You think so ?' asked the wondering
client s'Rather fat"
eWhen compressed. Draws out long
and thin" remarked Ferret, determined not
TO lose his man. l know the fellow he
was here before / had breakfast. But
was up to him. Don't mind showing YOU"
producing the telegram. "Read that
Look after Brown"
dear me what information You have,
Mr.. Ferret. What's to be done?"
"Spooner, wouldn't let that fellow es-
cape for q thousand pounds. You shall
identify him; he will be here directly. Mrs.
Ferret must not suspect we have found out
anything, or such is her infatuation she
will be giving the vagabond warning. No;
you shall stay here. All. brilliant
thought! Get in here,' said Ferret, I'M
drawing the curtain of Niagara"
Sin there" replied Spooner, hesitating
to enter the bath.
ats quite safe, only a very little damp
and the smell of the paint is quite refresh
ing" SAID Ferret, as he handed in his un-
willing client.
Mr.. Ferret was doomed to have busy
-, ,,,;rr for Sronpor bo1 coaroalu boop