Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-04-02
AMONG THE JONEsEs.
BY UNISON JOHNSON.


with bis new clothes. At the juncI
ure OF Sixth and Tompkins streets b
stopped and took a long survey of al
the houses by turns, and assured him
self as to the points Of the compas
by getting himself into position will
the setting sun, changed the blael
carpet bag from his right hand to hi
left, walked across to the house on tn
northeast corner, and rang the doc
bell.
docs Mr.. Jones live here ?" he in
quired of the pleasant lookinl
lady who opened the door.
He does"
"Mr. Samuel Jones ?"
"Yes sir, this is where Mr.. Samue
Jones lives"
"And you are Mrs. Jones, I pre-
sume."
IT am"
well, my name Wiggins-Simor
Virgins am q friend Of your hus
bands and have come all the way
from Missouri to see him. Is he al
homer"
He is not just at present, but l ex.
him before long; will you walk In
and wait nntil he returns or call
again?n
"Oh! I'll go in and wait for him.
You see knew Sammy years ago
long before he was married. We
were always together, always up to
some devilment, and in more serapes
oh Lord !" and Mr.. Virgins chueh-
led cOnvulsively at the thought OF
them as he followed Mrs. Jones into
the parlor. ave been living out
there in Missouri at Saint 10. eleven
years." he continued, land have
thought a hundred times how delight
full it would be to make Sammy q Wis.,
it, but you see, never could make il
exactly convenient to get away; but
the other dayI got to think ing over
the old times, again, and just said TO
myself, whats tb use of putting it of
Pm going to go now, and surprise the
old bny,' and off came and here /
am But bless my soul Mrs. Jones
you've got company. Now you go
on and attend TO them, and don't
mind me. III just take chair here
and look over these books on the ta-
bic until Sammy comes in; don't
mind me )" and seating himself, Mr..
Virgins was soon absorbed in the
study fsome children's picture books
that had caught his eye. Occasion
ally he raised his head with a eomIcal
eagerness as he thought he recognized
the footsteps of his old friend outside,
but dropped it again when convinced
of his error. Time passed; IL grew
dark; lights were brought in and still
Mr.. Jones tarried. A slight shade of
anxiety was creeping over Mr.. Wig
gins f6ce. He was getting impatient
and manifested It by the increasing
frequency with which he ran his fin.
gers through his scant hair. He had
finished Mother Hubbard" Jack
the Giant Killer ;" and was half
way through tEsopis Fables, J" when
a gentleman entered the rUOm, greet
ed everybody cordially, picked up the
baby aud proceeded to make himself
very much at home. Mr.. Virgins
looked up at him as be entered, but
perceiving that it was q stranger, paid
no further attention to him. What
was his astonishment a minute later
TO hear Mrs. Jones addressing the
stranger as her husband, and telling
him that there sat his old friend Mr..
Virgins from Missouri, who had been
waiting more than two hours 10 see
him.
Mr.. Virgins could hardly believe
his ears, but he arose and explained
that il was Samuel Jones that he wan.
ted TO see.
"That is my name" said the gen
tleman advancing.
samuel Jones ?"
"SamueI JOnss."
Mr.. Virgins was becoming embar.
rassed. He rubbed his hands togeth-
sr in u helpless way and ventured the
opinion that there was some mistake.
'YOu don't know me ?" he added
al haven't that pleasure" answer
ID Mr.. Jones, good humoredly ''but /
mink understand the situation. A
Samuel Jones lives in the house op-
Dosite this on the southeast corner.
de is no doubt the friend you are
oOking for. But never mind,n he
mistakes will happen,
Ind this is not a very serious one come
,ut and have some supper with |
IS, and you can call on him after.
Fards.n
The invitation was kindly given but |
dr. Virgins embarrassment was too |
,reat to permit of his accepting it.
With a stammering apology he pos
essed himself of his hat and carpet
,ag, quilted the house, and was soon
ingIng the bell on the southeast cor
Ter.
He had some difficulty in arousing
nybody, but at last q scrawny servant
,irl came TO the door, and opening 1t
bout a quarter Of an inch demanded
is business.
"I want 10 see Mr.. Jones-Mr, Sam
el JONES'" he added, remembering
lis late adventure.
Mr.. Jones amt at home: they'eE
II gone to prayer meeting"
Prayer meeting? Why, does Sam
~ belong TO the church ?D
"Of course he does" was the with
ring reply.
" Well, never mind, my dear" said
ne cheerful Mr., Virgins, "T'll just
Ome in and walt until he returns"
" No you won't, you old rascal, you
lst 90 along away" and the door
as slammed violently in his face.
Then there followed a long eonver.
ltion through the key hole, in which
Ir. Virgins explained that he was
lie bosom friend Of Mr.. Jones, and
ad come all the way from Missouri
pay him a visit that he was tired
no cold, and that Mr.. Jones would be
offended If he was not ad-
iIteu TO the house at once His elo-
hence was convincing and met with
3 proper reward. The door was
1ened again, and Mr.. Virgins en-
red. There not being any fire in
~ down stairs part of the house, ex-
ipt the kitchen, he was at his own
quest conducted thithsr. The scraw- I
? servant girl still looked upon him
it'll some suspicion, aud Mr.. Wig
rs laid himself out 20 eradicate these q
ut unfavOrable Impressions. He
as succeeding admirably had praia- l
her discretion In refusing him ad- .
ittance cOmplimented her on her
avery, gave humorous account of 1
s getting into the wrong house, and q
ey were both in a high good humor I
hen the door opened and q shrill fe-
ale voice burst out; "Ah hal my 8
ne lady, this Is the way you take Z
re of the house when am at church
it, YOU'RE q pretty thing, amt 1
u? filling my kitchen with drunk
old tramps. You're pretty thing!D }
AT the first explosion Mr.. Virgins
I'd bounced TO his feet. He endeay- }
ed to explain, but was overWhelm-
with q torrent Of abuse. my name '
Simon Virgins, madam, and" =
.'Well you can just Virgins out of Z
is house az fast as you can, and that Z
Issy can go with you.n r