The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-09-26
IN THE WRONG HOUSE.

good care of himself that he was
really young man.
He had gone to India when only
fifteen years old, and was now re.
turning, after thirty years. absence,
the possessor of an ample fortune,
most of which he had already sent
to America for investment.
The Major did not like boarding
houses, and had therefore written to
his agent in New York to purchase
and have fitted up for him a comfort
able residence in a good neighbor-
hood.
On q cold, rainy November even
ing, the Ghundaree entered the har-
Dor, bringing the Major once more
to his native land. He eagerly has
tened to the Office of his agent for
information regarding the location of
his new home, determined 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
absent, but the key had been left for
him, accompanied by note regret
ting that business in the country
compelled the writer to relinquish
the pleasure of personally greeting
the Major on his arrival, but assur-
ing him that he would find his house
in complete order, 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
instructions as to the location of his
residence, and saw written thereon !:
NO. -, Wakefield street ;" but,
what number, unfortunately, the card
did not say. However, muttered
the Major, Il can't go very far
wrong, as it says between Hudson
and Vandam streets. AT the worst,
it is only trying the doeN with my
key until come to the right one
And the Major strolled briskly of
through the rain, humming to HIM
self, Home, sweet home
After much inquiry of policemen
and consulting of directories at cor
ner drug stores, and studying of
cabalistic characters on the street
lamps, our Major succeeded in dis
covering Wakefield street, broad,
handsome street, lined on each side
with substantial brown stone houses.
"a very good neighborhood,' tho't
the Major, approvingly; 'very good
indeed. l don't object to this kind
of thing at all. Smith is certainly a
capital judge of real estate. Now /
wonder which of these houses be-
longs to me-"
They were all painfully alike-all
with handsome bay windows on the
first floor, imposing flights of stone
steps, and vestibules of white check.
cred marble. The Major crept soft
ly up to the steps of one, and ap,
piled his key under the silver plated
knob.
1t wouldn't fit. This certainly
could not be the house moreover,
he felt unpleasantly like burglar, as
he sneaked down the steps again.
He tried the second door, and then
the third. Both obstinately declined
to yield to the gentle persuasion 81
the key.
This is beginning to get awkward,
thought the purturbed Major, wiping
the beady drops from his brow. Sup.
pose l should be obliged to spend the
night here, trying to get in. Besides,
if am not careful, shall be arrest.
ed, and spend my first night for thir-
ty years in my native land in the sta
ton house. I'll try one more door,
and if that doesn't prove to be the
right one, I'll 60 to the hotel
He slipped the key in the key hole
it rev olved noiselessly, and the door
swung softly open on its polished
hinges.
The right one at last, az I live,
chuckled tho Major. THAT good
hearted rascal, Smith, means to give
me surprise. / see through it all.
But don't intend to be surprised a,
anything after this
He looked around. The gas-lights
were burning brightly in the hall, re.
ception room aud parlors, the soft
summerlike atmosphere off furnace
dispelled all lingering idea OF cold Of
wet; and there were groups of mer
ry guests moving to and fro to the
inspiring notes of a grand piano.
Smith never told me word of tn,
place. thought Major Parkinson
sbut it is a good idea-a capital idea
Called unexpectedly in the country
eh +? All, he's sly Smith,
He placed his dripping umbrella
in the stand, and deliberately hung
up his hat and overcoat on the ele
giant black walnut rack, and then b,
came and stood in the doorway, boil
hands serenely joined under his Goa
tails, and beaming countenanc,
that showed all the white teeth tt
good advantage.
Goodness gracious = exclaimed
portly lady in black velvet, 'who il
that in the doorway p
AHA laughed Major Parkinson
complacently rubbing his hands
you intended to surprise me, bu
you didn't after all. My dear mad
am, how do you do? p
Sir, l don't know who you are,
said the lady Of black velvet, rathe
grimly, failing to recognize the Ma
ior's proffered hand.
'Dear me, Aunt Rosa chirped
younger lady-she couldn't be NOR,
than eighteen, and was as fresh as
rosebud-tripping forward, don
yo1 see it's cousin John p
The Major looked puzzled ; but i
would have been rude for him to hav
backed churlishly out, when such
pair of cherry lips were put up 70
him to kiss, such dimpled pair o
arms were around his capaciou
waist.
Il never knew that / had such
pretty COUSIN was the Majors inter
nal reflection 'but l dare say it i
all right-Smith knows
sAnd here's cousin George, an,
Stephen, and Aunt Margaret, an,
her girls cried the cherry-lippet
damsel, eagerly pulling him for
ward.
| Major Parkinson shook hands witt
them oil round, feeling that he ha,
just come into a large unexpecte,
inheritance of relations.
81 knew the Ghundaree would b
in tonight cried one of the girls
/, | o1ooD;nc bar hands SWo hovo hoo