Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-31

the platform, so that the only benefit which re-
suited from our attempt was a jostling of bones.
and ruling of temper, which h ad the adj
vantage OF warming us little. pass over the
various false starts, the enforced stoppages, the
jolts, jars, and pauses of the next quarters
OF an hour. Suffice IL to say that when we at
length slighted at Fifty fifth street, the neigh
boring clocks were striking eleven. The long
block of stately brown-stone houses rose dark
windows bearing excellent testimony to the
early hoursof their inhabitants. 1t was graft
tying to see such evidences OF primitive SIM
plicity in one of the most fashionable quarters
OF one OF the most corrupt cities in the world;
but honestly confess that IL would have been,
S under the cIc1m s, plesSaatef, 70 see
which we we were bound, particularly as An
astasius, regardless of the untrodden snow
which covered them, mounted the steps, and
"Good Heayens!" called, with more energy
than supposed the cold had left me, "you are
"IHdeed am" replied my beloved. "Do
you suppose am going to have all our trouble
go for nothing? Not ring! What do you pro-
pose to do?-stsnd there in the snow all nigbt?u
al propose to 60 home" called, stimulated
to desperate energy by seeing his hand on the
bell. Don't disgrace yourself and me BY
ringing the bell at this hour of the night, and
on such night too. Don't you see that not
even the people in the next street have been
heret . Don't let us appear to be fools-prsy
-NOhScEcCJ hCtoItcu anhsIaslus. putting an
end to further discussion by pulling the bell
with violence which caused a startling sound
In the deep stiffness of the night. "JOnes is
sure to be up, and we can stay until twelve at
least. 1 couldn't venture to take you back
agaip until you are thoroughly warmed; and of
course they haven't gone to bed yet. Why,
there was a light burning somewhere: I'm sure
saw 1t as came up the steps"
eyes," answered, ga dim one, but that was
in the nursery, and they keep light burning
there all night. Come, do let US be sensible,
and go home"
Iwon't," said Anastasius ringing the bell
again, this time with tremendous energy. 'If
they've gone to bed, they must get up again.
Confouna ii! they've no business TO go to bed so
early on a reception evenings cold hight like
this too! I'd like to know what Jones means
byit.''
ment's silence, during which it was quite evil
dent TO me from the expression of my husbands
race that no one was coming. "DO let US 90
homei"
" Never, until we have been warmed and
fed, said AnastasiuS, boldly, again pulling the
bell, and assuming an air OF CHEEKY valor he was
far from feeling. "There!" he called, triumph
antly; 81 hear footsteps coming down stairs
told you they were up"
A pause, and then the sound of some one I'M
barring the inner door was heard, and presently
the outer door opened slowly, and the voice OF
our trusty and well-belOved Jones uttered these
cheering words of welcome.
90 Who is there, and what do you want?"
1t is L, Jones. Are you not rec living to-
night?' replied Anastasius, in tones of sdnira-
BILE innocence and indifference; and angry as
was with him, respected his courage.
" You, Status? Why, where have you been?'
exclaimed Mr.. Jones, still not relaxing his hold
of the door, and apparently little doubtful of
his dear friends sanity.
80 Been answered Anastasius, bravely. "My
dear fellow, we were invited here to- night; we
supposed you would expect us; and my wife and
L made great effort to come. Our only fear
was lest We should arrive too early. Betty
dear, don't stand there in the snow; come up"
" Mrs. Status too" said Mr.. Jones, in tones
penetrated through and through with amaze
ment, now for the first time opening the door
wide, and then as hastily disappearing behind
1t as be saw that really was there
=" Come in-do come in, !" he added, after
second, with more cOrdiality than felt we had
any right to expect. "COme In"
Deeply mortified, and furiously angry with
Anast4sius, L Obeyed-Mr. Jones eftacing him
self behind the hall door with such determine
head while l took Off my wraps. While / was
doing so he glided up stairs, and .Anastssius;
sitting down on one OF the hall chairs, gave way
10 a violent lit of laughter.
Z" don't care" he gasped. as soon as he
could speak. ''Serve them right for going t. |
bed 50 early. Now we will stay. at any rate,
" PRAY DON'T replied. following him into |
the drawing room, where the dying fire and ex- |
engaished lights were proofs positive that the
don't am mortified as it is and you know yery
well what he likes"
"You do net know what his wife likes, how
that, to man of your habits Of consideration,
Is OF no consequence
" 1 know she is an amiable woman, )" replied
my spouse, with CLEAN of the eye which was
particularly Irritating.
The entrance OF our hosts with a welcome
which We certainly did not deserve, fortu-
nately Interrupted US at this juncture, and an
hour passed so pleasantly that it was past
twelve before we set out on our homeward
journey.
" hope to Heaven you won't have to walk
Mr inn vi.
into the cold night a. We descended the steps.
"Walk!'' exclaimed Anastasius and stimuli
taneously, arrested, petri1ed with horror, on
the bottom step.
"You dou't mean to say there's any chance
Of such q thing, old boy?' exclaimed An ssta-
sus, more serious than had seen him during
the evening
al hope not" replied MIR. Jones. doubtfully;
'but to tell You the plain trath, fear there Isl.
" There Is a livery-stsbie on your way do xR,
though, !" interpOsed Mrs. Jones, in an encour-
They would be kept waiting there an hour,
Pm afraid. and perhaps not got carriage at |
fellow, if you won't stay all night, and don't |
get car, it is your only chance. Remember, |
Fifty first street, lower side"
!" As to staying all night" began Anasta-
sius, evidently quite appalled, by the prospect |
before us.
"You are extremely kindly interrupted,
hastily pulling him off the step, but 1t is not |
to be thought of for a moment"
Kitty Is such good nurse!" said my hus-
band.
Excellent" resp0nded-"m 1ch too good
to be spoiled by such an exhibition of careless
ness as my staying out to- night would be-"
I" But" began Anastasius
" Good night, dear friends" said I, dropping |
his arm in disgust 81 can not stay, but per- |
haps you may persuade INV husband to do So" |
"GooG- nighr. DON'T stand there in the cold |
JONES'" SAID Anastasius, Selling my arm and |
strioing away. "What goJs you are, Betty. |
Any one else could have seen that had no idea |
of staying"
1T looked remarkably like it, L answered:
''but it is too cold to quarrel; SO pray don't let
US discuss the subject"
Fortunately we mad not proceeded as far as
the livery stable wi car overlook US, of |
which we took instant, grateful, and sole pos
session. Safely housed at the further end, with !
the straw heaped about our feet, we began to |
feel that our worst perils were over. As we
neared Forty second street, the conductor
opened the door, walked through, surveyed us
curiously for "A moment, repelled my husbands |
offer OF fare with wave OF the hand, and
slowly retired.
"Curiousl' said /, looking at Anastasius
''What did he do that for?'
:" oh, don't know" he replied, carelessly
.. Probably he didn't want to take IL now. By
the-bye that sketch Of JOnes's, that girl gather
Ing ferget-me nots, is full OF delicate senti-
ment."
Alas just as we were ready for another ar