New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-04

light"
put my hand to my forehead and men
tally inquired whether l .was indeed be-
coming Grassy. That NV Whist ! supposed
to b . LIGHT in ny wi5s's foom ] felt car
tain, but in NJ half tipsy oondition bald Il
to BE- just possible that had been b.
guiled BY some moro distant jet Of gas; for
what possible reason could my darling
Cora have for attempting to deceive me in
20 trifling mattera The thing was Ia
cidly reasoned out. Cora vas sober and
/ had been drinking. Cora was right and
was wrong.
"wel, darling" said I, 'be kind enough
to light the ga; have . long story to tell
you, and the truth il, am weary and wish
for rest"
"As to the gas," said Cora, ''there isn't
single match in tho house to light it with"
''Not matchr' replied. "Why, there
wss Q full box when left"
II know there was," said Cora, "but I
undertook to make little fire in the stove
this morning and tho whOle box became
ignited and WAS destroyed"
Against such circumstantisl testimony I
could maintain no further doubts, 90 con-
cluded to divest myself of my clothing, in
my old bachelor fashion, without the bene-
fit of . light, and get to bed - best I
could.
Proceeding to carry ont this deliberate
intent with ~ much speed - possible,
was at length startled by moaning sounds
uttered by my wife, who appeared to DO
terribly in pain.
"What lie tho matter, dsrlings" asked a.
tenderly ~ possible, for it occurred to me
that her delicate sensibilities had been
wounded by my untimely return, and the
too evident traces Of dissipation had
found it impossible to conceal.
II can not imagine what the matter IT,,
she replied, "but my poor stomach is tor
tured by the most painful cramps that ever
mortal woman felt. O. such terrible gripes!
shall die unless got relief"
The dangerous illness of my dear Cora,
which possibly had provoked, and tho
poignant sense Of my own unworrhiness,
which grew sharper and sharper, - my
brain threw of its inebriate delusions, op-
pressed me With combined emotions of
sadness and Of shame. Ipictured to myself
the computations Of conscience should
have felt had my darling wife sickened and
died during my cruel absence; and her cup
pressed means, - they fell upon my ear,
furnished al the startling shadows which
the picture needed.
"What can do for my precious Coral" /
inquired; for was sadly ignorant of tho
ways and wants of womanklnd and waited
for any suggestion she might make.
Through her sobs and groans she replied:
"Go to the drug store 1T the next corner
and get bottle Of Hofman's anodyne; it's
an excellent medicine and I'm sure it viii
do me good"
As dutiful husband fastened to CON-
ply. But haste sometimes defeats itself.
The process of putting on my clothes, Of
which had previously Invested myself,
was no easy one in the unlighted room.
Through mistake thrust one leg into the
sleeve of q garment which proved to be .
coat, and / made other errors at which on
any other occasion might have been
amused. At length, however, the job was
ended, and keeping time to my Cora's
means started for the precious anodyne.
My clothes did not seem to fit me ss we'll
as usual, but that was not surprising, con-
sidering the manner in which had thrust
them on With such haste a. l could make
l descended the unllghted stairway, passed
out into the dimly lighted street and pro-
ceeded to the drug store.
After ringing 1T the bell for some time the
druggist appeared in no pleasant humor and
asked me what / wanted.
told him.
Thereupon he proceeded to light six-foot
burner, and the sudden glare of the gas had
at first binding effect upon my eyes.
When the medicine was procured asked
the price and thrustm hand into my dexter
pocket, forgetful of the fact that had not Q
cent of money there. While thus engaged
l approached the light and was startled ct
the metamorphosis I had assumed. Ny
clothes, which had been of sober, grayish
tint, had Unexpectedly turned into FASH
ionable black, and from being q close fit,
had strangely become ampli6ed in their di-
mansions. began to ask myself if were
myself, or somebody else, who had imposed
himself upon me and mysteriously assumed
my personal identity. To the button-hole
Of my dsrk silk vest heavy gold fob-chain
was attached, end ticking patiently at the
other end was what appeared to be SPLEEN
did watch. At this respectable outfit
was as much surprised AZ if, on some fine
had awakened from deep sleep
and found nv shoulders decorated with q
pair of angels wings.
The druggist, having observed my sur
prised inspection of my dress, said: what
is the matter, Mr.. Blanki You appear to
be masquerading in some other persons
clothes. l thought You were away on q
fishing excursion"
whether I am myself or somebody else.
md whether these clothes are mine or some
body else's matters little to me and nothing
% you. If people would only mind their
'wn business there would be less trouble in
his world"
Proceeding with my self.iuspection, dis
covered plethoric pocket book in the
'reast pocket of the coat had on, and ON
'pening it, found had been wonderfully
mistaken a. to my financial standing. In
ne pocket book were carefully deposited
vN<HkA NE