Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-29
LOCKED OUT.

From the New York Express.
It's all very we'll to laugh at now it
all over, but if you wish to know what a
pleasant effect being on the wrong side
the door has, at half past two in the
morning, lose your key and try it.
arrived at my apartments Il live ten
or twelve miles out of town. at half past
two Thursday morning, and looking up
smiling at my windows, ! felt for my
key
ttThose who carry latch keys can read
lily realize my sensations when | found
that had left it in town. To wake the
inmates was a matter of disturbing the
whole neighborhood, | therefore de-
termined latter waiting thirty minutes
for policeman to effect an entrance
by the staircase window.
/ must mention that my house is one
of short row, in which there lived a
butcher, baker and chemist-each of
whom keeps a dog or dogs, more or less
vicious, according to the amiabilities Of
its owner.
Having determined ito attempt the
great window feat, ! went round TO the
back Of the house and looked over the
paling. Scarcely had raised my head,
than " Boo-woo-wool" went dog with
whom had some slight acquaintance.
/ addressed il soothingly by its Chris.
tian name, Clip"
The sound of my voice set the remain.
der of the dogs OF, and in less than a
minute there was row only equalled
by pack in full cry.
This naturally awoke some Of the
inobler animals; and one gentle female
with shrieky voice put her head out Of
the window and asked, in a hysterical
tone, who was there2 .ia
The.eyer-ready answer. Me, burst
forth, regardless of grammar
Where are the polieeW continued
the screech.
Precisely what ! have been asking
myself for the last thirty minutes, an
sEered |.
AT this juncture attempted laugh
and nearly overbalanced myself, and, in
regaining my position, kicked the pail
ing, on which was seated, so vigorously
that off went the dogs louder than he.
fore and several more windows went up.
At the chemists appeared something
that looked like Robinson Crusoe, ably
supported by La Somnamhula in night
cap.
Whats the matter2' sensibly asked
third window.
rMatterP' shrleked all the windows
together; but their explanation was lost
in the general howl of dogs.
"Yon shall hear of this in the morn
ing" said one irrepressible female.
" 1t strikes me | am hearing of it
very much of it--in the morning; you
mean later in the day. Call to lunch, Il
said |, and let's have it out"
The windows went down with a baSg,
and | went off the pailings with another,
falling within yard of beautiful bull
mastiff, who showed me the perfect or
der in which he Kept his teeth; after a
satisfactory inspection thereof | de-
scribed the circle around him, and
reached the wsshhepse. One foot on
the Eindow-sill and one hand on the
leaden spout, | prepared for the great
feat, but at this instant, owing to the
dogs violent efforts to stranele Itself,
tue staple AOiulnB tnt chatu gave way |
and without a word of apology, he
seized me by at,portion of my clothes
unknown to angels. | held on to the |
spout, the dog held on to me. One de-
risiye laugh rang through the air.
A lapse Of several seconds, each Of |
which seemed an hour,
lsvery moment | expected would be
my last, when, within reach, | saw a
broom handle; to seize it, and deal the
window fearful blow, was the work of
an instant. Horrerl the spout is giving |
way A second fearful blow proved |
more fortunate-I broke the wash-house
window; one more, and landed the
stick on his nose, in way that sounded |
like cracking an egg-shell.
A dreadful howl follOwedi he let go.
Windows again pp-general bowling,
and rally all round During
the melee disappeared in at the win
dow, and peeped round the blind; row
gradually subsided.
An interval Of FIVE minutes. All
quiet. ......el..
An interval Of FIVE more minutes. A
policeman composed, unrufied, digni-
ied.