Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
A Wonlan's Shrek.

A naval officer. who some time ago
went to reside in Edinburg, having pre-
viously engaged large mansion on q
ceive his furniture and have the house put
in order
The butler engaged a young woman re-
siding IN the neighborhood to clean out
the rooms and arrange part of the fur
nlture; and he assisted himself to carry up
large chest OF rather singular appear
ance. This gigantic box his master had
purchased as curiosity; but, unlike
that described in the song of the 'sMistle-
toe Bough," it did not shut, but opened
with spring attached to the lock, which
being touched, the lid flew open and
tall brawny Highlandman in full costume
stood erect, and struck out his right arm,
In which was wooden sword. The gen
tleman purchased it as curious piece OF
mechanism, and was wont to amuse his
children with it.
"Ihat's heavy chest, said the woman
as they p laced it on the floor.
yes answered the butler who was
wag OF the first water, there's something
heavy it it, certain; but there's something
mysterious about it also; for, although
the key hangs at the end of it, not one Of
us is allowed to open it."
did you never see the inside of itar
replied she walking round it.
"Neyer, said he. cts as much as
any of our places are worth even to speak
about it," So saying, the knight of the
cork-screw looked first at the woman,
then at the chest, then on the floor, and
then retired slowly down stairs, whistling,
to work on the ground flat
The girl proceeded to put things to
rights in the room; but every time she
passed the chest she thought it looked
more odd. "Frailty, thy name is woman!"
She raped on the lid with her knuckles
it had curious hollow sound-very!
And none of the servants had dared to
open it! What on earth could it contain?
Well, it was none of her business; so she
went diligently to work for five minutes,
at the end of which time she found her
self standing, with her arm a-kimbo,
gazing on the chest.
st can do no harm to look into it"
thought she; so she quietly took the key
from the nail, and applied it to the lock
OF course she heard footsteps on the
stairs as every one will do when afraid of
detection in the commission of some act
they wish to keep Ia secret. Again she
regained her confidence and returned to
the chest; she stopped and turned the key
Up flew the lid; and the wooden High
landman, in kilt and philabeg, sprang on
his legs with more than human agility,
and fetched the petriied girl sharp
whack across the shoulders with the fiat
of his Andrew Ferrara.
A prolonged shrek, ending in moan
of despair, indicated that the poor3woman
had sought relief in swoon. The butler
heard the shout, and guessed at once the
J cause. Holding both his sides with Taught
er, he assembled the stairs, and watche
the issue OF thetransaction through he
, keyhole of the door of the,adjoining n I'M
In the course Of a few minutes the WON
an rose on her elbow, looking wildly
around the room, till her eyes caught thu
t Highlandman bending over her. Seeing
!. nothing but destruction awaiting her, twl
springs took her to the door; down stair
she went, followed by the butler (wh,
saw matters were becoming serious), as i
she wore wings, taking a flight of step
at every jump, and roar
!. ing for aid, under the maddening i'm
preston that not the butler, but tn.
Highlandman was at her heels; nor die
she either slacken her pace, or look ovel
her shoulder, till she found herself stand
ing in the house of lady in the neigh
borhood, into which she at once ran, OF
: seeing the door open.
! The poor woman did not recover from
the fright for several days; but has eve
6 since had a greater antipathy to large
chest than mad dog; nor has she dis
played eny undue inclination to NEEDLE
with matters which do not concern her
> AS for Highlandman, she positively re
, fused very eligible offer of marriage,
: few months ago, from handsome "kiltie,
who never for moment doubted that b,
: could carry her heart by storm by ap
J pearing in full costume