Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-09-26
& pleasant gtory>
A LOOK UNDER THE BED,

1t is a habit OF many persons to take
a look under the bed before retiring
for the night. Mrs. Evergreen, my
beloved wife, indulges, if indulgence it
can be called, in this peculiar practice.
have often remarked to Mrs. Ever
green, when l have seen her prying un-
der the bed, that itwas asilly habit, and
that the sooner she gave it up the bet
ter. To this gentle admonition my
better half invariably rejoins:
~La, Evergreen, what harm does it
do? It's kind of satisfaction to know
that nobody is under there, and then
I don't think of such horrible thing
after Pm in bed"
81 think, my dear, you might just as
as we'll pursue your investigation fur
ther, and look in the bureau drawers
and the clothes basket"
Evergreen" she will rejoin, "don't
mention the idea, or [ shall certainly
do SO. Come to think Of it, man
could easily get into the clothes-bas-
ketw
''Certainly he could, my dear, quite
as easily as Falstaf. You should GER
tainly include the clothes-basket, and
bye-the-bye there's the chimney-why
not look up that as well?"
"Now, Evergreen, you're laughing
at me. But [ can't leave off the habit,
and I never will. It's comfort for
me to know that there's nothing wrong
aboutit, and I don't see why you should
deprive me of it.
So under the bed goes the candle,
and no signs of humanity being dis
covered, Mrs. Evergreen is able to res
pose in peace.
If it were not for increasing this
mental idiosyncracy on the part of
Mrs. Evergreen, by giving her some
good reason to apprehend danger, |
should relate to her what [ am about
to lay before the reader. In this mar
ration, therefore, ask the public most
particularly to bear in mind that Mrs.
Evergreen is slightly superstitious,
and that what I have to say must, un-
der no circumstances, be impaired to
that lady. Iffor two-and-twenty years
(that is the period of our welded life,
and happy years have they been)-if,
I say, I have for this long period re-
Trained from imparting the matter to
the beloved sharer of my joys and par
taker of my sorrows, surely the public
will keep the secret.
l was not bad looking when [ was
in my twenties. think may 60 fur
ther, and confidently say that Gus
Evergreen was a decided favorite a.
mong the girls of Oakville, and | real
ly believe could have had any of them
for the asking. AS before remarked,
Mrs. Evergreen is not present, and I
indulge my thoughts somewhat more
freely than otherwise would be the
case.
Fred Evans, who had been my chum
at school, came to pay me visit at
Oakville for day OF two, as he said
when he came; but he made week or
two easily enough after I'd taken him
about little among the young ladies'
When that time had expired, Fred said
he really must go, as he didn't know
what his father and mother would
think Of his long absence; but it end
ed in relieving their anxiety by a let
ter, and sending for his trunks. I
knew how the matter was, perfectly
well, and that Belle Bronson had be-
witched him ont of his senses. Fred
tried to put it on to the ''country air
and the quiet which was beneftting
his health, etc.," but it was no use try
ing to deceive me, and I told him so.
Then he owned up frankly, and I prom
ised to help him all | could, if he re-
quired any help in the prosecution of
his suit.
She had larger share of beaux than
the other girls. I feared it might be
so with Evans, and warned him ac-
cordingly; but Fred said that ''with-
out her, life was naught to him. p
Things went on i'll this way without
any definite result, until Fred received
sudden summons home on account
of his mothers illness. When he came
back to renew his visit, he insisted up
on staying at the OakVille Hotel, rath-
er than wear out his welcome at our
house, and finding remonstrances un-
ayailing, there he went. The land
lord gave Fred, at my suggestion, his
bedroom, No. 2o-I am particular in
mentioning the number. "He shall
have No. 90" said Downbury. "Any
friend yours, Master Augustus, shall