Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-04-09

he culprit, ! said nothing, but procured q
patent lock in place of the common affair
already on the door, and chuckled to myself
over the disappointment Bridget would ex-
perience should she again attempt to take a
drink at my expense.
A week after | was surprised by similar
visit ; none of the solids had been disturbed
but some wine was missing.
at must be cunning wench who can
pick that lock-" | thought to myself. 81
must interview the lass"
| did so, but could detect nothing sus-
picious by the most careful cross-question-
ing.
Every day something of the kind was
taken: / made sure of the fact by marking
the position of the bottles and the height OF
their contents.
felt piqued. | did not begrudge fur.
nishing my unknown guest with refresh
ments so much as being outwitted; so, tC
let the thief know | was aware of their
depredations, | arranged a trap so that In
opening the door board would fall and
break a glass
Robinson Crusoe was no more astonished
al beholding the footprints in the sand,
than was, when, on my return and spring
ing nly orn trap, / discovered that the
best part of bottle of Concord wine had
been appropriated by my mysterious visitor,
''The DEUCE | calculated. ''Therc
must be thirsty ghosts in the house.
While gazing in astonishment at my
emptied bottles; / noticed crack in the
wall between the shelves, the figure of the
paper with which it was covered having
hid it before. examined it more closely,
and found the back of the closet to be &
wooden partition and that a small window,
such as are often found in china closets, haC
formerly existed, and probably communi
Gated with the adjoining room. i after
wards found that my visitor was no less s
person than my landlord, who had an un
fortunate fondness for strong waters.
Dlsapprovlnc OF such a romantic style oi
communication with my bedroom, | soor
left the house and was recommended tC
that of one Deacon Happy, who, j wa:
told, merely took few boarders ''for com
pany's sake" " as his family consisted but Of
himself and wife. Calling to make inquir
les, found the family at dinner. and, de
spite my protestations was forced tC
remain and partake, that | might know
what sort of fare to expect should become
''their guest" | found it so good tina
before the dessert was brought in | haC
decided to make one of their festive board
and, the terms being agreed on, | arranged
to send my things the next day, my hos
[ assuring me that | would have the ''com
! forts of a Christian family" and that h'
left not stone unturned to render hi
boarCIers pleased and contented. He dwell
considerably on this point, seeming TO con
slider it his duty as deacon, to keep youn:
men by these means from the temptation
they might otherwise be exposed to; and
. fondly imagined that had at last found TIN
/ '.ne plus UItrG' of boarding houses.
/ moved there the next day, and, havin:
I gone out after dinner, returned, tired anC
oyerheated from long walk; being abou
to enter the parlor, perceived that tn
{ folding doors stood open and that the bacl
room was used as bed-chamber, by m
host indeed. his wife was then busily en-
gagged in some mystery of the toilette. Re
I treating to the dining room, found it il
I darkness and evidently not to be used til
morning. lntercepting the servant VIII
was about leaving the house, made know
my wants.
"'Deed, SIR" she replied, ''de gemmel
allus sets in dere rooms or on de steps; d
missus has de parlors to herself.
'.But my room is too small and warm
and the sun shines hot out on the steps,
replied.
..Dat's so, sir; but you kin set here in d
hall; s; only you mustn't use tobacco, de dea
con won't allow dat"
.'Confound the deacon." / exclaimed
''Get me glass Of water, and here's dim
for your trouble"
"Deed | can't, sab; de ice all don
melted; dere's hydrant in de back ysr'
though. Use in hurry, is, to get home
GOod-evening, sab, and, so saying, thi
home-loving maid of all work, departed.
After nearly breaking my neck in tn
unfamiliar regions of the back yard foun'
some undrinkable water, thence to neigh
boring restaurant where procured NOR
refreshing beverage and sat reading til
papers till bedtime.
The next day l politely stated the fact
to my host, supposing that there was som
mistake, but, to my surprise, was brusquel
informed that if his house did not suit,
could leave ''flis was quiet Christia
home. had my room to sit in like tn
others. He fed and lodged his guests, an
prayed for their spiritual welfare: that wa
all he engaged t6do; but he would rer
me cooler room for fifteen dollars add
tional.
'.But | cannot afford that, sir, neithe
can see to read on the steps after dark. "
''That is none of my affair; | offer yo
the advantages of Christian"
'1Christian fiddlesticks!" | abruptly re
torted. at is such Christians as you, sill
that send young men to the devil, compel
ling them to resort to the streets for compan
and recreation"
'sThat is none of my business, he rt
peated. ''And, continued this exemplar
host, II will thank you to refrain fror
using profane language in my presence.
''Seeing that you have go much respe'
for his Satanic majesty, may he send yo
your next boarder,"I replied, and thong
late in the day, l Immediately packed m
trunk and took refuge in hotel where
intend to remain until give up boardin
altogether and have home of my own.