The Portland daily press., 1878-03-02
Still yainly trying to solve the enigma

Still vainly trying to solve the enigma,
Evan made hasty toilet, and finally, with
his head still aching as if it would split, and
looking wreck OF yesterdays greatness, he
left the room and crept lightly down stairs.
The evidences OF wealth and luxury on every
side, so unlike his own humble belongings,
quite awed him, and having found his way
down, he would not venture into any of the
sitting rooms, but modestly took his seat on a
chair in the hall, and waited for the develop
ment of events. Here he was found after a
few moments by Mr.. Owen Jones, who
wished him friendly good morning.
1--WE seen you somewhere, 1 know, sir"
said Evan; "but can't for the life of me tell
where"
Cant you ?" said his host smiling. "Ws
were both at the Welsh dinner last night.
and one of us took little too much. ),
A light suddenly flashed across Evans
mind.
II remember now, sir; I'm afraid was
very rude to you"
swell, you were little plain-spokep. and
L gave you my card. and told you if YOU
wished TO apologize you would know where
to find me. must say didn't exnect Won
would have come quite so soon, THOUGH. The
fact is, you were brought here by the mistake
OF cabman, who supposed my card was your
own"
PPM sure humbly beg your pardon, SIR"
said poor Evan, completely crestfalen. 81
can't think how came so to disgrace myself;
but TO tell the truth, sir, I'd had to pinch a
bit to buy my ticket, and all day yesterday
hadn't tasted bit or sup since breakfast, and
when it came TO dinner time 1 was that faint
and weak that the very first glass seemed to
set my head all swimming like. I'd let it go
too long, sir, that's what it was. Ihumbly ask
your pardon, I'm sure, for the trouble I've
caused, and | thank you kindly for giving me
a nights shelter. 1 feel 1 don't deserve your
kindness, sir; but Pm grateful, assure YOU"
humbly to the hall door to depart.
mo, no." said Mr.. Owen Jones: "you
mustn't think of going without your break
fast. We are all Welsh here; and if a brother
Welshman does take glass too much on st.
David's Day, we know how to make allow
ances for him. Come, step in here. We
have had breakfast an hour ago; but Mrs.
Jones is waiting to give you yours"
Looking very shamefaced and repentant,
Evan Jones followed his namesake into the
breakfast parlor, where Mrs. Jones, who had
heard his humble confession and apology,
gave him friendly greeting, and he was soon
seated before a snowy table-cloth and, as
well as his headache would let him, enjoying
a plenteous repast. During the meal his en-
tertainers quietly drew him out, and were
speedily behind the scenes as to his daily life
esAiu Aiio hesAN cchu5SiO w AOCp tuO WOlt Hull
the door; and when he finally took his leave
well-filed basket was waiting for him in the
hall to take home as present to the children.
Nor was this by any means the last which
found its way to the same quarter, sent by
the same friendly hands; and am sorry to
say that of all days, that held in the highest
yeneration by the little Joneses is ''the day
when papa got so dreadfully tipsy at the
Welsh dinner"
/ feel that there must be moral 10 this
story somewhere, but 1 can't quite see where
it lies. You can't call it exactly temperance
story, because, you observe, Evan Jones got
a good nights lodging and made couple of
kind friends by getting drunk-which is not
poetcal justice by any means. After much
anxious consideration, the only safe moral
can see is, that married lady should never
order any gentleman, however tipsy, to be
put into her own bed without -aking quite
sure. in the first place, that he is the GENTLE
man who rightfully belongs to her.