Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-03-17
From the New York Ledger.]
TOO SHREWD BY HALE

Mr. Dio Bashford cherished high ideas Of
men, as opposed to women, and had exalted
notions Of the husbands dominion over his own
household
lie was an erect, fullformed individual, with
naughty bearing. He had habit Of carry
ing his head high-of scanning the horizon
with his eagle eye-of snifiing the air-of look
ing over the heads of common pedfle---of tow
ering above the vulgar herd.
Mr.. Bashfcrd had forbidden his wife attend
ing the masquerade of the A z. a. Society. He
had his reasons for so doing, which We're good
enough In themselves; but his wife thought lie
might have made known his wishes In a little
less impcrious manner than he choose TO adopt.
However, she said nothing about il, though her
eyes flashed little as her lord and master pro-
claimed his wishes.
The ball was set down for the evening of the
twenty-ninth. On the morning of that day Mr..
Bashford went to town at the usual hour but
during the forenoon had occasion to visit a Sec
ton OF the city that led him past his own resi-
dence.
He walked on the opposite side of the street,
and did not cross, as he was in haste. But his
attention was suddenly arrested by young wo-
man with large bundle ascending the front
steps Of his domlcile and ringing the door
bell
lie wondered somewhat at this, as be was not
aware that his wife had been purchasing any,
thing new in the line Of dresses lately
His perplexity increased when the door
opened cautiously, and the young woman ad-
mitted promptly, as if by previous under
standing between them, and the door instantly
closed again.
Here was dilemma. Mr.. Bashfords curl
osity and suspicion were aroused, and on the
other hand his appointment was rather press
ing. Should he linger and solve the mystery,
or dismiss it from his mind and 60 about his
business? lie debated the question rresotulely
for moment, and finally decided that he
must know what was going on in his own
house.
Acting on this determination, he walked slow
ly 10 the next corner, and chose position where
| lie could take observations.
| He had no. long to wait. The young woman
soon re-appeared, but without the bundle,
and walked swiftly and silently down the
| street.
lie followed her.
4 Yes, the majestic Mr.. Bashfotd, doggging
| the footsteps of an Unknown femalel 1t was not
| long chase. She led him to one OF the bust
est and gayest streets and finally turned quick
| ly into celebrated Italian costumar's estab-
| lishment.
Mr.. Bashford could hardly ybeleve the evidence
| OF his own eyes at first. But on drawing near
| or, he read the sign in front of the establish
ment, which set forth in plain language that
| masks, false whiskers, costumes Of all styles,
| ancient and modern, serious and comic, could
be obtained.
, MIR. Bashfori was astonished; could it be
that his wife was venturesome enough to DISC
bey him, and bad hired costume with view
to attend the masquerade? The idea was afro
cious, humiliating, eXasperatng. Yet the eyi-
denee seemed to point indubitlbly to such u
state of things, and he accepted the conclusion
at once.
lie did not linger long in meditation. His
wife's audacity must receive severe rebuke.-
This he decided on without delay. So with
that pronptness and shrewdness which he
boasted never deserted him, he entered the store
before which he was standing.
The proprietor was ilabby woman; with
greedy looking eyes. He accosted her in this
manner
"Madsme, would you object to make five dol
lars in as many minutes"
The person addressed intimating that she
would have no objection TO that sort of thing,
she continued
"Then describe to me accurately the costume
delivered by the young woman who entered
this store moment ago, or else show me one
just exactly like it."
SWELL" said the woman hesitatnsy, "that
wonldn't be exactly regular, you know"
~ understand that, but can prove to you
If necessary, that have right to know and
that no harm can possibly come to you by your
telling me-"
Here Mr.. Bashford temptngy twirled a five
dollar note.
30, well,' said the woman, 81 presume 1t
will be all right. The costume was that of
Turkish lady. Here is one Just like it, ex-
cept that the hood is blue Instead OF being scar
let."
"Yos-just so," said Mr.. Bashford. The one
that young woman left at No. To- street,
has a scarlet hood.
ayes, SIR"
"Yery, well; here are your five dollars, and
besides am very much obliged to you.
Mr.. Bashford left the store in high glee. His
wife would find that he was not to bc ou.witted.
He would make her regret her piesumptuous-
ness
With such thoughts he hurried to make
good the appointment he had so suddenly
broken.
lie made no allusion, when he went home
to his five o'clock dinner, at the circumstances
just related. lie simply looked the while at
her Innocent and unconstrained demeanor.
"As told you would probably be the case,