Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-12-31
THE SIX FATHERS.IN-LAW.

I HAD only been a week in Alexandria,
whittier had been summoned from India
to take the chief command of the secret
police, when one day, in one of the narrow
back streets near the Public Gardens, who
should run up against but an old friend
of mine, whom | had not seen for ten
years.
Hagan was a great burly Irishman,
reckless and good -natured, who had Spent
the years since / last saw him trading in
Abyssinia. He looked browner and harder
than when first knew him, and one or
two scars about his face showed that he
had not been without his rubs. He soon
told me his story He had fallen in love
with a beautiful Greek girl, and hoped
shortly to be married.
But, bedad, the worst of it all is, old
boy" SAID he, "that the brute of a mother
wants Athenea to marry a cursed German
Jew banker-Schelmer you know, the
fellow who is doing very well with Gull
helm as partner; and if the mother can
pick quarrel with me she will, though
Athenea and l are engaged. But come
and see my beauty"
/ looked round in establishment, for the
place looked like blind alley, and no
rich persons house could possibly be situ-
ated in such locality. He noticed my
surprise.
"You don't know how people live here.
In the old times rich men concealed their
wealth by living in these out-of- the-way
places. It's not half so bad a place inside"
We stopped at dingy door and rang a
rusty bell. An old Arab woman, who
came to the door, recognized Hagan with
many smiles, and at once showed him up
stairs. They exchanged few words in
Arabic.
"The ladies are all at a party at Greek
friends close by; but I'll soon wake them
up" said Hagan, as we assembled some
stairs and entered a splendid room, richly
furnished. He struck a match and, light
ing two wax candles, went TO a back win
dow and waved them two or three times,
Almost the moment after the agreed on
signal in such cases was answered by the
wave OF candle al a window opposite,
from whence there came sounds of music,
and little head pecped out and said some
thing in Italian.
They'll be over directly" said Hagan,
" and | think you'll say she's beauty.
want to get her away, because that brute
Schelmer is there tonight, and the old
mother will be making play with him."
In minute or two little Greek gill,
Philina, a sister of Athcnea, came bourd-
ing up the stairs and shook Hagan by the
hand. They'd hardly let us come, Mr..
Hagan," she said, laughingly; ior
Athenea was Just going to dance with that
dreadful man, Mr.. Schelmer; but made
them"
By this time the party had swept n.
The father, an old Arab, with a fine beard
and significant face the cross, vulgar
looking Greek mother, much Overdressd,
and the fair Athenea, her fine, black eyes
looking cloudy and rueful, on the arm OF
the German banker, cunning -looking
impertinent upstart, with dyed hair aad
mustaches. By his side was a little,
sleek, obsequious man, whom found 10
be Gulheim, Schelmer's partner.
The mother was indignant at the inter
ruption of their festivity. The old Arab
father tried in vain, by soft words, to NIT
igate his wite's anger. Athenea gave Ha.
gan a look that subdued for the moment
the storm that was evidently fast rising
was introduced, and we all sat and talked
in al uncomfortable way for some time,
till at last Athenea's mother rose.
81 think we must now wish you goOd
evening, Mr.. Hagan," she said, in a
sharp, staccato voice, land reioin ouI
lIlCuuS, WnOm VIC 80 abruptly lell, OOMc,
Athenea, take Mr.. Schelmer's arm"
Athenea gave melancholy look at pool
| Hagan, and off sailed the party, leaving
the old Arab to vainly attempt to console
my indignant friend.
81 do all can, my dear boy, for You, .
groaned the old man; "but my wife il
entirely carried away by this German
rascal, who is said to be so enormously
rich and is ssought after by everyone. Allah
Mashallahl but | have no more power in
my own house than the boy who cleans
the boots. Still, count on me for doinl
all / can for you. She has been very rude
to you tonight. l am ashamed Of my
wife | am, indeed"
had not seen Hagan for about week
after this uncomfortable visit when one
afternoon he rushed into my office in q
violent state of excitement His hair was
tumbled, his coat all over dust, and he
had cudgel in his hand. He threw him
self in chair and burst into an hysteri
cal laugh.
I've done itm he said; "I've done itr
Done whatY No harm, hopeY'
I've given that fellow Schelmer th,
soundest batting ever man had Theyt
thrown me over and given Athenea To The
German; and to-day they all went to d
! picnic near Pompey's Pillar, knew o.