The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-14
A Wonnn's wit.

IErom the ST. Louis NcpupllCal.J
A gentleman not unconnected with the
Boston press was in St. Louis recently, and
while here contided to friend the details
OF an adventure in q Boston hotel so re-
markable rs to deserve life in print. The
story is brief, but with an immense moral
ms showing how in some things lovely wo-
man will ALWAYS come to the relief OF SIS
fer in distress to outwit the tyrant man.
The Journalist above referred to, stopping
&. the hotel, private one, where the
guests were accustomed to the entire
freedom Of the house, felt, late one
night, the imperative necessity OF
eating some fruit before retiring. 1t was
too late to send out to buy any; he did not
want to arouse the servants OF the house at
so late an.hour, and yet fruit, OF preserves,
or something toothsome OF the kind seemed
to him a personal necessity. He knew
where the store-room was, knew that the
door was left open, and finally resolved to
20 down quietly and prig enough sweet
meats to satisfy his need. no sooner was
the thought conceived than acted upon, and
within five minutes he was in the store-room
hooking preserves out of a iar and enjoy
ing himself immensely in satisfying the
craving which had come upon him.
For a few minutes the enjoyment Of the
man at the preserves was complete. Then
he was startled by light, swift step in the
hall, there was whish anti q rustic OF gar
ments, the door opened suddenly, and some
one bounded in with such suddenncsS rs,
coming squarely against the form OF the
midnight raider, to knock him half way
across the room, and fairly off his feet.
Leaping up at once he closed with his I'M
conscious assailant to be startled by 4 sub
dued shrek, and to find that he had cap
tured woman. Further, and more ter
rible still, he discovered that the plump
form OF the lady who had wanted something
to eat as well as he was clad only in night
dress. Still, though trying, the occasion
was one not OF unmiXed horror by any
means, and in moment the gentleman's
nerve returned, and his curiosity rose to
fever heat.
"Who IS this?'' he demanded OF the
plump figure in his arms. No answer:
"Who is it ?'' he repeated. /" You'll not
get out of this until you tell" Still no an
swer; but a struggle in the darkness, the
plump figure trying hard to get away.
Again the query was repeated with equal
lack OF response, but this time resoundlng
Sian in the face from hand that was doubt
less pretty, but which bit with decided
force, was the reward OF the questioner.
He was put on his mettle at once. You
think you'll get off unknown! Wen see
about that /" he exclaimed. GIVE de-
vice that'll work, [ think" And then,
after silent and determined struggle, he
caught a little bit OF the iady's right cheek
between his teeth and bit it-not badly so
as to break the velyety skin, but sufficiently
hard to leave mark which he knew could
not disappear for day or two. Then he
released his unknown prisoner, and she fled
like the wind along the passage, disappear
ing in some room impossible to locate In the
darkness.
The next morning the gentleman with a
mystery to solve came down to breakfast
early. No ladies had yet appeared, but at
his table were one or two intimate male
friends, and to them he contided the story OF
his adventure in the night, relating also the
means he had taken to secure the Identifies
ton OF the unknown lady. The most in
tense curiosity ut once prevailed at the table,
and the advent of the ladies was awaited
with On impotence scarcely to be controlled.
Five minutes later the door opened and the
belle Of the hotel entered demureay, glided
across the room, and seated herself Tor
breakfast. Eager eyes followed her, and as
her face was fairly exposed, there was
sensation among the gentlemen Upon her
inch long. The excited men exchanged
glanees, and whispers. and smiles. The
mystery was solved early. But Just then
another lady entered, this time dignified
matron. AS she seated herself there was
disclosed upon her right cheek piece Of
court-plaster identical In appearance
with that upon the face OF the
belief Another and anotner lady en-!
cred Upon the right check Of
every one OF them appeared piece Of
c0prt-plaster. The tables filled up, and not q
lady at one Of them but wore court plaster