The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-09-17

Z l1tfi2 l1tO tllC POSSAOlC COAAl-
pass and tucked them away in corners
and most unlikely places, separating
what should be preserved in pairs,
and pairing others in the most uneon-
ventional and astonishing manner,
and now and then. when Mrs. Potter's
back was turned, he'd jump in and
tread 'em down. The prime object.
he said, was 10 get everything you
could in the bottom, He pretended
not TO notice Mrs Potter but he conld
distinctly hear her breathe when she
noticed him. Slippers, towels, and
striped hose aud night wrappers and
dresses and skirts and handkerchiefs
and eorsets and thinggumyjigs were
alike "things" 10 him. Potter rested
on the consciousness that he wouldn't
be there when they were taken out.
At the end of surprisingly few mini
utes Mr.. Potter let down the lid, sat
on it, and said
"ThereI !"
Mrs. Potter said eyes, there!" too,
with infinitely more meaning, Then
/ she hustled him out to do some shop
ping, aud he brought home, among
various articles embraced in his COM
mission, a parasol in which he had in
vested five dollar note. Mrs. Potter
looked upon it with disgust. She
said it was last years style and wasn't
worth fifty cents, and offered two to
one that he bought it of q woman.
Potter sighed:
Twas ever TINS since childhood's hour,
When charming women he'd essay.
They'd always get him in their power.
And go and cheat him right away.
Then he family suggested that per-
haps it would not be disagreeable if
Mrs Potter should go and get one
herself. When she returned the bag
gage had gone and it was just twenty
five minutes to train time. She was
very sure she had left good many
things, but unaccountably resented
the assurance of Potter that he thought
not-that he had thrown in every thing
that was loose.
Mrs. Potter was mad, too because
Potter wouldn't get carriage. 1t
was laundering, and she hoped it
would rain pitchforks and omnibuses.
She was so unusually cheerful at this
idea that Potter was in some doubt as
to what use could be made of more
than one omnibus-besides they lived
within three squares of the depot, he
said. and if it rained they could take
street car. He could tell the neighbors
afterwards, he went on saPcastieallY,
that she had gone away. But Mrs.
Potter only sobbed, and Potter came
down, as he always did, and assured
her that she was the dearest little
wife he ever had-which was quite
true-and he was sorry-which left
things still more indefinite. And
then it did commence to rain for GER
tain, o, how it came down not mere
cats and dogs, but regular mules and
army wagons The cutters overflow
ed and the streets were rivers. They
had no time to wait. Arm in arm
they padded through, Mrs. Potter re-
minding Mr.. Potter that she told him
so, and he might have procured car
riage. Potter led out lively with the
umbrella and said nothing, but his
lips moved-perhaps in silent prayer.
The Ninth street car carried them to
the market-house and stopped. Right
ahead the water spurted up from the
sewer and formed an impossible lake.
The driver swore. Potter, we grieve
to say it-sWore also. But he jumped
out before the water reached him, and
started back for the avenue cars. By
running, and dragging Mrs. Potter,
and swinging carpet bag, and yelling
murder, the car was finally overtaken.
There were but two squares to go in,
It was an even chance. just as they
got of the platform Potter heard the
first bell ring for starting. They
fairly ran. There was a great crowd
near by, and loud cries rent the air
from some unusual excitement.
ssYou can't go through there, sir"
said a policeman, seizing Potter's arm.
There was a perfect lake running
from the avenue beyond the depot ex-
tending over the side walks to a con-
siderable depth. 1t really seemed to
shut off all hope. 1t was the sewer.
"Ellen thunder!" observed Mr.. Pot
ter, savagely.
s.Hack, sir-take you and lady right
to the door-no other way sir-here,
sir, Jump in-make the train, sir !"
said a half dozen drivers in the same
breath, Iashing their teams through
the shallow water.
ssMake the train or I'll kill you'll"
cried Potter, rising to the emergency
and in they went, were landed in the
very sittfhgroom door, and barely
reached the inside of the Pullman
palace car as it moved out of the de-
pot.
Mr.. Potter didn't go right home af-
ter the hasty goodbye. He was too
weak. He didn't forgive Mrs. Potter
for that untimely look of triumph,
when they were driven into the car
riage, for some time. And then
wouldn't if he hadn't thought of her
when she'd come to unpacking that
trunk.
Potter looked badly next morning.
He said if anybody couldn't go to the
country with less fuss, the country
would have to come to town the next
time.