Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-02-21

now and then the rattle of n teaspoon in
the cup.
The landlady, feeling that this was
her time, made a strong effort, and ex-
claimed:
"Mr. Stoller p
Now the mere mention of Mr. Stoller's
name by Mrs. Jones at the tea-table
coul not certainly attract extraordinary
| attention, but the manner and tone of
the lady startled many of the boarders
sitting around ; many dropped their
knives and forks, and cast their eyes
rapidly from Mrs. Jones to Mr. Stoller;
the latter gentleman suspended his at
tacks on the supper, and gazed with an
agitatcd countenance at the head per-
senage of the house.
"Mr. Stoller," said Mrs. Jones,
speaking slowly, in order to give every
word its due emphasis. "yOu are pro-
badly aware that | endeavor to carry on
the affairs of my house as honest and
circumspectly as possible here was
pause several dodgers nodded, and one,
who was noted for being remiss in pay
ing his board-bill when due, intimated,
in All audible voice, that the domestic
economy of Mrs. Jones was not excelled
py piitu VI III
the city.
"Mr. Stoller," continued Mrs. Jones,
"will you be kind enough to inform
me, if you can, what business detains
you in your room every Saturday be-
tween the hours of four and seven in the
| afternoon p
All gazed at Mr.. Stoller, anxious to
have the all-important question settled
ibis agitation had been increasing to a
fearful extent during Mrs. Jones re-
marks, and, upon hearing her inquiry,
he started to his feet his face was deep
ly crimsoned, and he strove for some
minutes in vain to speak.
Ma'am," cried he, at last, "you-
you-I-cannot-no !" He stopped
suddenly, kicked over his chair, and
dashed out of the room.
No pen can describe the astonishment
of the spectators at this unexpected exit
Mrs. Jones started to her feet, and when
she at length found her voice, addressed
the company.
"Now, gentlemen" said she, 81 am
satisfied that Mr.. Stoller must be en-
gagged in some horrible plot in his room
regularly every Saturday-some coun-
terfeiting scrape or forgery at any rate,
some matter which will most likely de-
stroy the credit of my house. I'm sure
you must all agree with me when I say
that this horrible secret must be drawn
from him by some means or other. [
know, from the fright which seized him
when I asked him the question, that
there is something going wrong"
Here Mrs. Jones hesitated, and wait
ed to be assisted from her difficulty by
some of the boarders present.
"Suppose, said one, "that the next
til he shuts himself up in his room,
we all go in a body and break open the
door"
This brave proposition was immedi-
ately put down as being too belligerent
in its general features.
Couldn't some one slide down the
roof of the house and peep in the win
dow?" asked another, doubtfully.
"That might do" said Mrs. Jones,
looking round upon the company in
hopes to discover some one who would
undertake the task, but no one moved,
for the roof being a slated one, and very
steep, was consequently too hazardous
to be trusted as Il foothold.
81 think" said one of the gentlemen
at the head of the table, eff we should
all get together next Saturday afternoon
and cry fire. in the entries, we might
bring him out, and then discover his
employment.
"Ah p exclaimed Mrs. Jones, "thats
a good plan, but it would be liable to
raise the neighborhood but [ think
We'll close all the doors and windows
and try it-at any rate, it can't do much
harm.
In fine, the last was considered by the
company to be most excellent plan for
the detection of Mr. Stoller in his dread
full plots, and the requisite arrangements
were made on the spot.
Nothing was said to Mr. Stoller dur
ing the week, and when Saturday after
noon arrived at last, the greater part of
the boarders We're in their rooms waiting
for his arrival. At the usual hour of
four the suspected lodger entered the
hou e, and proceeded, as was his Gus
tom, Immediately to his room. His
door had been locked about half an
hour when large party of the board
ers, headed by Mrs. Jones, was stealth
lily formed in the lower hall, and differ
ent detachments were then filed off to
separate portions of the house, and two
gentlemen, more courageous than the
rest, stationed themselves close to MIR.
Stoller's room, ready to glide in and ex-
anime the apartments as soon as he
should open the door.
All these preliminariesb being arranged,
Mrs. Jones and her servant Betty raised
heartrending shrek in the kitchen,
and then dashed up to the entry. The
party in the lower hall slammed the
doors, and at the top of their voices
screamed "Fire !"
The united efforts were completely
successful, for suddenly Mr. Stoller's
door opened, and out rushed the gentle
man himself. His coat was buttoned
up about his neck and his sleeves turned
up, leaving the lower portion of his arms
bare; in his hands he held white ar
ticle dripping with water.
What is the matter, Mrs. Jones ?"
cried he, looking with astonishment
upon the crowd that had collected about
his door.
No cry of :" fire" was now heard, and
dim light broke upon Mr.. Stoller's
mind-he saw the trick.
"Ah, gentlemen" said he, slowly, 81
see how it is; will few of you gentle
men have the kindness to step into the
room with Mrs. Jones and ali the mys-
terry shall be explained ?"
They crowded in, the landlady taking
| the lead and his room was comnlately