The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-27
The Christmas Visitor,

You don't recognize it? Why, Peter,
that is your own likeness at the age Of
twenty-five.
Me! That fufy-headed chap! O,
come now,' said Peter, with a look Of
disgust. T&
1T is, indeed said Miss Pamela. And
a very good likeness it was. Indeed, it
Is still, isn't it, Penelope2 See, the very
nose, and the self-same eyes,
Probably, my dearr said Miss Pene-
lope, with her habitual air of gentle cor
rection. Foreign travel may alter peo-
pie good deal, but it generally leaves
them in possession of the same nose and
eyes. But l agree with you, that Peters
likeness to the portrait is very sur
prising. | should have recognized him
anywhere
Fancy you not recognizing your own
portrait, Peterv said Miss Pamela. How
ever, you must surely recognize that
other likeness (the one cut out of black
paper, in profile) of our dear papa.
Dear papal What vein of humor he
had, hadn't he? Do you remember how
he used to call Penelope and me (on ac-
count of our initials) his sweet P's,' and
my asking him what he would call Peter,
as he was P too. l think l see him
now, as he answered with that ready wit
OF his, What, Peter! why green p, of
course! And he broke out at intervals,
all the rest of the evening: 'Ha, ha!
Very good! Green P, of course"
II like peas," said Peter, altogether
ignoring the late Mr.. PimpernePs little
joke. "We don't get 'em over there,
though; they're too expensive-it don't
run to it,"
II dare say the living is rather differ
ent from what we get in dear old Eng
land" said Miss Penelope. This was
partly in answer to Peters last remark,
and partly a commentary on his manner
OF feeding, which wassomewhat peculiar.
He was now eating shrimps with rasp-
berry jam, and the sisters observed with
surprise that it did not appear to be Gus
tomary in India to remove their heads
or tails. . .7,-e. ~. ,.e..
At this moment knock was heard at
the front door, and presently the trim
parlor-maid entered with a note upon
tray and c0untenance brimful of some
exciting intelligence.
"What is it, SusanT' said Miss Pencil
Jpe, with dignity. "And how many
times must tell you never to come into
room without knocking?"
20, please, mum, I'm very sorry; but
I was 80 fustered / quite forgot it. It's
the page boy from the 'sylum, mum; and
one of them lunatics has escaped, and
we shall all be murdered in our beds;
and he's taking of 'em round to all the
houses in the village" ~.
"Taking the lunatics round to all the
houses in the village! What on earth
does the girl mean?" said Miss Pamela.
Explain, girl, fori goodness sake, or l
really think / shall shake youl'
'Lor no, mum, not the lunatics. Only
letters a-telling everybody all about it,
and the best way to ketch 'em, and such
like"
"Peace, grip said Miss Penelope.
"Give me the letter." And with the aid
Of her double eye-glass she read aloud as
follows: n
'THE PRroRY, Dec. %. 1873.
"Dr. Dollimore regrets to have to an
nounce that one OF the inmates of his estab- |
lishnent has escaped, and is supp sed to |
be lurking in the immediate neighborhood |
He is quite harmless; and it is requested |
that any one to whom he may address him |
self will have the kindness to detain him |
(which may easily be done by the offer of !
some slight refreshment), and ut once COM
municate with DR.. Dollimore."
"Good gracious, Penelope!" exclaimed
Miss Pamela, as her sister finished read
ing. "What frightful state of things!
A maniac wandering in our very midst!" |
"No, Pamela" interposed her sister |
I'm the neighborhood, but not in our
very midst"
"A maAiac-a raving maniac! Good
gracious, he may even now be on our
door-stepl And we are requested to offer
him some slight refreshment. I'd refresh
him, and Dr. Dollimore too, if had him
here"
"Hold,- Pamela" said her sister, SOL
emnly. "This is not matter to be dealt
with by two weak women. This is
matter for man. Peter, we look to you.
If this unhappy person should present
himself within these peaceful walls. how
would you advise us to actT
Peter reflected. r# 2
"Give him some bread-and-iam and
some shrimps, and while he's eating of 'em
throw . blanket over his head and sit
upon him. That's what / should do
with him." = r y !,
"What a thing it is to be a mani"
laid Miss Pamela: 'How prompt, how
vigorous, how much to the point? Pm
afraid, though, we should have difficult
ty about the sitting upon him. He
might struggle, you know"
II think we night manage" observed
Miss Penelope. "Suppose we had Prod
uer, the gardener, ready behind the hall
door to throw the blanket over his head,
and then we could push him into the