The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-09-23
LOOKING UNDER THE BED.

it in the least so long as she does not en-
force the performance upon myself; but
when, as is sometimes the case, she forgets
it until she has put out the light and en-
sconced herself under the comforter, then
it is hard that /, who am not troubled with
nervous apprehensiveness, should have to
get out in the cold and do it for her.
when l have seen her prying under the
bed, that it was a silly habit, and that the
sooner she gave it up the better. To this
gentle admonition my better-half invaria-
bly, rejoins:
"La, Evergreen! what harm does it do !?
It's a kind of satisfaction to know that
nobody's under there, and then l don't
think of such a horrible thing after Pm in
bed"
81 think, my dear, you might just as
well pursue your Investigations further and
look into the bureau drawers and the
clothes basket"
Evergreen, she will rejoin, "don't
mention the idea, or shall certainly do so.
easily get into the clothes basket"'
Certainly he could, my DEAR quite as
easily as Falstaff. You should certainly
include the clothes basket, and blythe by,
there's the chimney; why not look up that
as we'll"
"Now, Evergreen, you're laughing at
me. But l can't leave off the habit, and
never will. It's a comfort for me to know
that there's nothing wrong about it, and
don't see why you should deprive me of it."
So under the bed goes the candle, and,
no signs of humanity being discovered,
Mrs. Evergreen is able to repose in peace.
But, as already observed, this precaution-
airy act is sometimes forgotten, and l am
myself obliged to rise, light the lamp, and
report. I've done it rather more frequently
of late than is agreeable, and have init
mated as much to Mrs. E. She says:
VERY veil, Evergreen, I'll do it myself"
But this procedure is almost as bad, for
she invariably let's the cold in on me both
in getting out and getting in. If it were
not for increasing this mental idiosyncrasy
on the part of Mrs.evergreen, by giving
her some good reason to apprehend danger,
should relate to her what am about to
lay before the reader. In this narration,
therefore, l ask the public most particu-
larly to bear in mind that Mrs. Evergreen
is of sensitive nature, rather apprehen-
sve and slightly superstitious, and that
what have to say must under no circum-
stances be impaired to that lady. If for
two and-twenty years Chat is the period of
our welded life, and happy years have they
beep)-if, say, have for this long period
refrained from imparting the matter to the
beloved sharer of my joys and partaker of
my sorrows, surely the public (Which, as
we know, always does keep secret) will
keep mine.
All young men, l suppose, have love
tions on the one who is to bless their lot in
life. l know that had, and don't regret
it. Regret it? far from it. Mrs. Ever
green is not present, and therefore l have
| io HSoipotioi III ei"o - L A'se
my life to live over again I'd like to
20 through with the same sentimental
experience, particularly if it was to be sue
ceeded by again leading to the hymeneal
altar the present Mrs. Evergreen.
was not bad looking when was in my
twenties. l think l may 60 further, and
confidently say that "Gus Evergreen
was decided favorite among the girls of
Oakville, and l really believed that could
have had any of them for the asking"
AS | before remarked, Mrs. Evergreen is
not present, and | indulge my thoughts
somewhat more freely than would other
wise be the case. don't think that
cared particularly for any of the Oakvills
girls, however, and l might have kept my
heart whole to this day if it had not been
for the circumstance which l am about to
relate.
Fred Evans, who had been my chum at
school, came to make me a visit at Oak
vile for ga day or two" as he said, when
he came; but he made it a week or two
easily enough after I'd taken him about a
little among the "young ladies'" When
that time had expired Fred said he really
must 90, as he didn't know what his father
and mother would think of his long alb
sence; but it ended in his relieving their
anxiety by letter and sending for his
trunks. l knew how the matter was per-
fectly we'll, and that Belle Bronson had be-
witched him out of his five senses. Fred
tried to put it on to the country air and
the quiet which was benefiting his health,
etc." but it was no use trying to deceive
me, and told him so. Then he owned up
frankly, and l promised to help him all l
could, if he required any help in the prose-
cution of his suit. l never thought Belle
a tlirt, or that she would willingly distress
any human being; but she had a way of
looking in ones eyes as if to captivate
them, for her mere personal amusement.
At any rate she had a larger share of beaux
than the other girls, but all their attentions
came to nothing. l feared it might be so
with Fred Evans, and warned him accord
ingly; but fred said he'd shave her if he
tried all his life;" that without her life
was naught to him. that she was the
only living being who had ever awakened
a real emotion in his breast" etc., etc.
After that said no more, but closely Oh
served the lovers, and soon came to the
conclusion that Fred was by no meaDs dis
agreeable to her. Things went on in this
way without any definite result until Fred
received sudden summons home on &C
count of his mothers illness. When he
came back to renew his visit he insisted
upon staying at the Oakville Hotel rather
than wear out his welcome at our house,
and finding rcmonstrance unavailng, there
he went. The landlord (honest old Downs
bury-I wonder if he yet lives gave Fred,
at my suggestion, his best bedroom, "No.
OIL am particular in mentioning the
number. "lIe shall have No. co." said
Downsbury "Any friend of yours, Mas