Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-01-13
TILE WRONG HOUSE.

Major Parkinson was good'looking
bachelor, who had lived forty-five
years, but one who had taken such
good care OF himself that he was real
Is quite a young man.
He had gone out to India when only
fifteen years old, and was now return-
ing after thirty years absence, the
possessor of an. ample fortune, most OF
which lie mad already sent to America
for investment.
The Major did not like boarding
honses, and had therefore written to
his agent in New York to purchase
and have fitted up for him cOlnforta-
BILE residence in some good neighbor-
hood. On a cold, rainy November
evening the g Ghnntlaree' entered tine
harbor, bringing the Major once more
to his native lind. He eagerly has
tened to the ollics of his agent tor in
formation regarding the location of his
new home, determinni to pass the first
night of his arrival under his own
roof.
On reaching the Office of. Mr.. Smith
his agent, he learned that he was ab-
sent, bat the key had been left for him
accompanied with "a note regretting
that brssiness in the country COMPEL
ed the writer to relinquish the pleas
nre of personally greeting the Msjo1
OH his arrival, but assuring him that
he would find his house in complete or
der, with servants to minister to his
wants.
Though sorry the agent had not
been able to meet him personally, the
Major made the best Of it and turned
to the card attached TO the key for in
structiou as to the location OF his resi-
denee, and saw written thereon, 4 No
- WakeIy street," but what number,
unfortunately, the card did not say
However, muttered the Major
"I can't go rcry far wrong, as it says
between HudsUn and Van,lam streets
At the worst it is only trying the
doors along with my key until l come
to the right one."
And the major strolled briskly of
through the rain, hummlEg to him
self, 6 Home, sweet home.r
After much inquiry OF policemen are
consulting of directories at corner drug
stores, aud studying cabalistic cllarssc
tiers on the street lamps, our Majo
succeeded in discovering Wakely stree
Ia broad, handsome street. linei oi
each side with substantial looking
brown stone llouse.
"a very good neigh bO rh o od,
Thought the Major, app ovingly; 9'ver,
good, indeed. don't object to this sor
of thing at all. Smith is certainly
capital judge of real estate. Now
wonder which OF these houses belon;
10 me |"
They were all painfully aIike-al
with handsome bay windows on tn
first focr, imposing flights of ston'
steps, and vestihules Of blue ant
white checked marble. The Majo
crept softly up the steps OF one I'm
applied his key under the silver-plate'
knob.
/, II wouldn't fit. This certainly eo';:'
not be the house "moreover. he tel
uppleasaptly like q burglar "a h
sneaked down the steps again.
He tried the second door, and the
the third. Both ol'stinately declines
to yield to the gentle persuasion af tn
key.
"This h heginning TO get awkward,
thoaght the perarhed Major, wipin
the bss,dy drops from his brow. ISM
pose shanld bs obliged to spend th
night out here. trying ~ get inf b
sides IL I'm not careful, I shall he a
restei, and spend my frst night Il
thirty years in my native land in II
station-hMsses IN try one more doc
, and it that doesn't prove to he Il
: the right une, III 60 t0 the hatel,r
He slipped the key into the keyhsa
4 it revelvel noiselessly, and the de-
swung softly open upon its polishs
hinges.
Il The right one ct last, "a I livt
!. chasklsa the Major. 4Farsishsst III
y the Governor Generals, aud all lig,
IT sl up, ny Jove. That goosi-hesrt