The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-02-22
WAS HE HER HUSBAND? I?
by RALPH ROYAL.
In the good old days in New York
when the neighborbood around Bleek-

In the good old days in New York
when the neighborhood around Bleek-
err Street was the fashionable quarter
of the metropolis, and the statute 70,
the abolishment of Imprisonment for
debt had not yet been passed. young
man might have been seen towards
twilight Of summers day scuiryiDg
around Mscdougal Street into Bleek.
er and after glancing hastily around
to see that he was not followed, light
( ly ascends the broad stone stoop of q
/ brOwn-stone house, vault over the pi.
azzs and entered the parlor through
the open window.
I Now, this was certainly very sus.
picious proceeding, and had there
been any one in the street to observe
his actions he would undoubtedly Y
have been taken for burglar, or il
any one had been present in the parlor
his unceremonious entrance would
have been likely to create qnite a con-
sternaiion.
But he had not been observed, and
the apartment happened to be unoccu
pied, and taking of his hat and draw
ing his handkerchief across his heated d
brow, he gave sigh of relief, and eX-
claimed:
THANK heaven, I've given 'em the
/ slin Tho i1oa Of faiinp -
send two vagabond sherill"s deputies
to arrest me for miserable bill which
l haven't paid. BY Jove. it was a
tough chase but l lodged them neat
ly and here am
egazed rather bewilderedly around
the nagnificently- furnished parlor,a and
muttered:
'But where the deuce am 1? Hello,
what's this +? My picture, as l live
lie was standing spell-bound before
large oil portrait, in gorgeous gilt
frame, hung in a very conspicuous po-
sition on the wall.
sYes,' commented he, eyeing the
painting critically, there's the sams
devil-may.care expression of features
the slightly prominent nose, the mer-
ry eyes, red-nO straw berry hail, ,dain-
ty moastache; mine is just little ful-
Ter now, and yes, as live, the very
pimple on the cheek that I've tried so
much and so Intellectually to get rid of.
Well, in the name of al, that's WON
derful, if that isn't my picture. l
must have double running around
loose somewhere. WONDER
His cogitations were cut short by a
rather fierce ring at the door. bell.
The deputy sheriffs, by Jove,' gasp
ed he. They've tracked me here.
Whatll do now? Ah,- that closet
there!'
He dashed into the pantry indicated
by his words, and carefully closed it
behind him.
The summons at the front door was
answered by Susan, the maid of al !
work. who came up from the base
ment kitchen, aud a minute later she
ushered into the parlor highly-per-
tuned, daintily-dressed fop.
'Ah. my DEAR said he, drawing off
his light lavender kids, please tell
your mistress thatAugustns Fitz Moo
die awaits the pleasure of her COM
pany.'
Snsan departed on her errand, and
the fascinating Augustus gracefully
sank in a soft easy cha r, and surren-
dered himself to the delightful occu-
patton of sucking the gold head of his
cane, and Illuminating aloud:
Pleasant quarters these, by Joyer
murmured tine dandy. And she's in
herited cool hundred thousand. Au-
gustus, my boy, one plunge and all is
over. But they say that-psiaw, the
fellows are afraid Of my superior at
fractions, and want to frighten me out.
But they can't do it. Augustus Fitz.
Noodle is not the man to allow him.
self to be frightened by a pack of sill
ly .rumors.'
His self-flattering cogitations were
interrupted by the entrance of beau
tiful girl clad in half-mourning,
'Ah, my dear Miss Harleigb,' ex-
claimed FitzNoodle, ALLOW me to
wish you good afternoon
Mr.. Fitz-Noodle,' said tie young
lady, compOsedly, fo what do 1 owe
the pleasure of your visit2'
'TO what!' exclaimed he, sighin g
like furnace at white heat. Miss
1Iarleigh, haye come to lay myself at
your Test, TO beg
Stop, stop interrupted she. hastily
while smile which she could not
wholly suppress, stole around the cor
ners of her lips, dimpled her cheeks,
aud sparkled in her dark, flashing
eyes. Excuse me. Mr.. Fitz- Noodle,
continued she in mock penitence, Il
am so sorry that any conduct on my
part should haye led you to suppose
that L was in the condition to accept
the. flattering proposal you are about
to make me. l thought you were
aware that-that 1 am already mar
ried.'
Married = echoed the dandy com.
plete ly crest-fallen.
Yes sir continued she, lowering
her eyes to the ground, in order that
her visitor should not behold the mer-
riment that sparkled in them. Il
know l owe you an apology and ex-
PLANTATION sir. THAT is my husband
had quarrel with me, and-we sep
arated sir, and TO avoid gossip l as.
sumed my maiden name, and recently
my husband has relented and sent me
letter asking my forgiveness, and