Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-23


and Family Herald, and all sorts of
stuff"
"And the Moonstone, and Birds of
Prey, suppose, too," | observed /;
"but perhaps she does not favor Mu-
lie."
"If you wish to send me up to my
bedroom in tears, George, say so.
I'm sure | don't know what I've done
that" sob" thai" t"-sob-pocket-
handkerchief, and one tear right in
the bread-sauce.
But the next moment, plainly heard,
there was the buzz, buzz of a manly
voice, giggle, a squeak, aud the
scraping of a chair-all plainly heard
to proceed from the kitchen-coming
up, as it were, through the floor; for
the houses in New Park Crescent are
very slightly built, so slightly, indeed,
that we have never started a piano
of our own, in consequence Of the
abundance of musical sounds proceed
ing from Nos. 4 and 6, right and left
of US.
"a deceitful creature!' exclaimed
my wife, no longer fearful sand did
she not declare to my face, ten min
utes ago, that there was no one down
stairs? Ring the bell, George"
"Not till I've finished my dinner in
peace, my love-" [ said firmly, "even
if there were the whole of the Turk
ish Contingent down stairs. After
dinner, I'm at your service; but if |
am to engage Shaw, the life-guards-
man, | must have another glass or
two of sherry first. Who the deuce
can that be ?" | exclaimed, for a cab
had stopped at the gate. and there
was loud ring at the front bell.
Then came the soft patter of poor
Elizabeth's feet, the opening of the
front door, a short, sharp alteration,
as if cabman were dissatisfied with
his fare, and then my wife started
from her chair, exclaiming: "Why,
it's mammal
The devil -
George p exclaimed my wife; and
the next moment the door opened
there was embracing; and | had to
leave the choicest, browneSt tit-bit of
partridge on my plate, to be kissed
and called my dear boy ("
"Nor' she would not have the soup
up-mamma would not. She was so
sorry, but the train was late, or she
would have been with us in time to
sit down to dinner. There was a
sole left, was there? Then she would
have that; it could not be so very
cold.
Bring the fish back, Elizabeth, "
said my wife; and it was evident that
for the present Mars was completely
out of her memory.
A few minutes elapsed, during
which dear mamma" had a glass of
sherry, and then Elizabeth came back
holding in her hand the head of a
sole: the one, l was ready to swear
| had left on my plate, for | knew ii
by its gouged-out eye.
ooh, m, if you please, mr. ex
claimed Elizabeth.
"Well, Elizabeth ?" said my wife.
That there cat, m, while l was up
answering the door. There was moth
ing left but this here head, mum, as
was just in time to see it jump off the
table on to the floor"
"You careless creature !" cried my
wife, "to leave it like that. There
bring a hot plate. Have little par
fridge, mamma, dear"
Directly after | saw some one;
face change, and a very suspicion;
look was directed at the handmaid
but that young lady evidently saw
nothing; and the meal passed off il
a most satisfactory way-that is tC
say, as far as appearances went-fol
| knew that | did not have anything
like my share Of the birds.
At last ! was left alone to have my
one glass or two of claret, and the la
dies assembled, as | supposed, to thC
drawing-room; while, under the idet
that the new arrival would render hel
secure from interruption, the fair Eliz
abeth descended to the neither regions
"Now, | wonder whether that gen
tleman is below stairs ?" | thought
and then, somehow, my ideas wer,
shunted off on to another line, ant
went off at express rate, till | wa
reused by hearing the front doc
open.
who in the world is that goin,
out?' thought, and | listened 70
the closing, but in vain while direct
ly after a strange ghostly Shadoy
passed the window, which shade
made out to be that of my respecte,
mother-in-law, with a mantle over he
-, head.
"Why, she's going down into tn
l Kitchen" | muttered; and leaving m
seat, opened the door just in tim
to catch my wife in the passage.
"Oh, l seeT l exclaimed softly
; "going to attack the enemy front an
=, rear. Elaborate tactics, | must say
: "You need not trouble yoursel
sir, unless you please" was the reply
81 dare say mamma and can discon
fit the enemy; as you term him, witt
out your help"
"But are you sure there is any on
below 2" | said.
40 dear no, sir only that there
l cat there with a strong love fc
fried soles!"
There, come along!" I said, ft
!, there was no help for it; and if thel
= is anything dislike, it is meddlir
with the servants, and their belon
L ings.
But we had not half descended Il
= kitchen stairs, before we heard lor
Z voices in alteration.
THAT I'm sure there aint, mum,
y it's the last words | had to ute
- y mum, there amt; and if missus W
"Your mistress is here. Elizabeth
N said my wife, now entering the kite
+. en-, with the writer following, feelii
very small, and taking in the coup
cell of Mrs. Scribe's mamma standi
> at the area door, and Betsy keepi
4, guard over that leading into the ba