Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-10-20

\ ire burnt 10 tic CRATE, and a rocSins-chalr
sat before it. Glad Of 4 reprieve, I threw my
ao!f into the chair, lit a cigar. and began 70
smoke My wife was occupied elsewhere, I
supposed but this was tie beginning Of my
rnolher-in-la laW S advent Ever, until now, had
Anna Maria ran to the dcor to gree. me with
kiss.
was vexel, and shall not attempt to de-
ny it, Vel, since she had not cared, Ia not
show that did. closed my eyes and smok-
ell on Even when steps catered the room |
did not open them.
Il declare" said voice, "a smell smoke !
I smell tobacco. | declare, believe
some one is smoking in this house p
sniff, suiT. "Tobacco smoke, surely" \
match snapped. opened my eyes, sat up,
aud saw stout lady lighting the gas Ny
mo,her-in-iAw was -ery big one, with cap
"a white cap-viih black ribbins, and she
wore black al pacs with houuces, ! saw that
she was ole with whom must, sooner or
later, come TO single combat.
Having lit the lamp, she turned toward me,
pu; up a pair Of gold glasses, and said, in a
tone Of suppressed wrath:
Wdl, aud what does this mean ?"
81, means that am finishing my cigar, -
said.
"And should Ike 10 know" said she,
"how you came to conc into this pnrlOr to fin
ish it?"
well, madAm, your daughter has never
objected to IT," said l. I've smoked many
cigar here, and shall continue to do so.-
Any one who doesn't ike it, can go elsewhere,
you know
The :mpudeuce," said the old lady. "But
either you are mad or am. My daughter
has not objected to your smoking. You have
often smoked in this room do you say
81 have" said / ; many night We sFook-
ed here until ole o'clock, she sitting opposite
me, aud got her to try paper cigarette
Let ne roll you one-i, would settle your
nerves"
Heavens and earth T. cried the old lady.
My daughter, whom have brought up With
such care, smoke cigarettes with you at ouein
the morning? Have beer dreaming? Have
been deceived But no its a lie-an aw-
FOL sanderous liel'
You may ask her, madam" said !. "And
more than that, should have done as pleas
Cd, 10 any case. a man is master 10 bis own
house"
His own house p said she
"Yes," said I. You don't deny, hope,
that IN your daughter husband1'
my daughters husband !" said she. "Ohl
is true7 Have been deceived 2 Is be mad,
or-Eliza Elizll E.e.e-liza !"
As she screamed the name young woman
rushed into tie room, looked at me, aud
shrieked also.
"Eliz, B)liyar," said the old lady, speak,
my child, is that man your husband p
why, ma" said the young lady, 81 never
saw him before"
And now saw what had done. ] had
entered Mrs. Bolyar's house instead Of my
own. These were Mrs aud Mss Bolivar.
ms an absurd mistake. Ie, me explain"
said l.
Not a word" said the old laly. " Not
word Go"
Not until I've explained" said. Ny
wife"
I'm not !" said Eliza Bolivar.
al doa's think you are" said T. Il"
"You ayered that she was, said the old
lady. "Wah, Eliza sec It all This is
a burglar. It's one Of their tricks to get Us to
leave the room while they look for the plate.
Bat he sban't escape Go to the window and
call the police. n. hold him !"
She grabbed me by the Goa. collar. Eliza
shrieked from the window Help. thieves "
Horror possessed ne, wrgglel ont Of the
coat, dashed under tie old lady's arms, and
rushed bare-bealel and 10 my shirt ,lecvci
into my own area gate. II moment moTe
stood before ny wife, our domestic and lady
whom knew TO be my actual mo,ber-in-law,
aud who was only Ann Maria tweuiy years
older and Sc, them 20 screaming, too. The
street was fgli Of boys Mrs Bolivar still
sbreked thieves AID murder (" There was
nothing ior it but to explain which did.
What shall we 30 2" cried Ann Maria
"Your ha. and coat arc next door. The wretch
will ares; you"
" 70 she won't" sail ny moiher-in-law.--
" III settle her"
She put on Der bonnet aad ieft us. AZ hour
sbe Te;c'nel With my ha, and over
coat.
"she's dreadful creature" said size. "but
I've quie,ed Der. lad to tell hb. said
you were wba, they call between twO wines IN
France-a little dp'y, you kno~-and tha'
you took her for me.
"Ob, nj son" said Ann Marias mother,
putting her kerehief to her eyes. ." did you
thi4E looked ike Gq,i"
kissed her, aud we have been the best Of
friends ever since.
Mrs. Bolivar always gathers her flowing
robes a. she passes me by in the street, aud
remarks TO some invisible familiar. That in
to1icated person" bu; don't mind. Tie
sight Of her always leads me to thank heaven