The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02
MRS. SWILLET'S ADVENTURE.
LOST At MIDNIGHT IN FRONT OF HER
OWN doom IN BROOKLYN
snowbnIIinE tho Next Door Neighbor'. Win
dow, then Borrowing her LardIady's Key
and Asking n shs might Climb the Fence.


and Asking n she might Climb the Fence.
Mrs. Swilet is a widow, the mother Of
several grown-up sons and daughters. She
boards at 144 State street. Brooklyn. and is n
constant attendant OF Plymouth Church. and a
warm admirer OF Mr.. Beecher. On Friday
night while vending her way homo from Ply
mouth lecture room. meditating upon what she
had been listening to. II occurred to Mrs.
Swillet that 1t would be only part OF her Chris
tian duty to call upon her next door neighbor.
Mrs. Gavel and so far as she was able. edify
her as she had herself been edited.
Mrs. Gavel was pleased to soc her old friend.
and. engrossed in the theories propounded by
Mr.. Beecher. the two ladies sat talking FOR two
hours. It was 11H o'clock when Mrs. Swillet
said good night to Mrs. Gavel. and started for
homo.
Mrs. swillet is short sighted and somewhat
absent-mnded. and somehow she lost her way
to the adjoining house. passed It. and ascended
tho steps Of the house one door beyond. She
rang the bell Ave times before 1t dawned
upon her dismayed mind TINT all the inmates
were In bed Then. desperate. she went into
the middle Of the street and called "Alphonse.
Alphonse |" but her son made no answer. be-
cause he was not there.
Mrs swiet is II courageous and determined
lady. She collected quantity OF snow. and
resolutey snow -ballcd what she supposed was
the window OF her sons room. Fifteen min
utes spent in that exercise dlffused a gentle
and healthy glow throughout her frame. but
failed to mako the slightest impression upon
the inmates OF the house.
Fatigued by her efforts. Mrs. Swillet sat down
upon the second lowest step and thought seri-
ousiy over the situation. Hetrefections soon
assured her that the proper course to pursue
was to 20 back to Mrs; Gavel's, house and ask
Mrs. Gavel for her latch Key, which would. per-
haps. open the door Of IA. Hopefully she
started upon this mission. and rang the be
not Of Mrs. Gnyels house. as she supposed but
Of her own. Her landlady. half asleep and at
tired In long white nightgown. opened the
"i'm locked out" whispered Mrs. swllet
Please lend me your latch key; perhaps it
may open my door"
| deeply. She thought II little strange that her
| lodger should be standing on the steps at that
but she promised to look for one. and went IN to
make the search During her absence Mrs.
| Swillet fumbled with her finger at the keyhole.
| and congratulated herself that II seemed to be
| lust the same size as that in her own door.
When the landlady returned with the key she
Thank you very much; I will bring it back
ION. never mind replied the lNndlady. to-
| morrow morning will be time enough"
| The landlady locked and bolted the door, and
| Mrs Swillet anxously feeling the key. started
| for the adjoining house. She passed her hand
| carefully over the door near the knob. but. 10
| her utter amazement. there was no keyhole.
| Inen. Tor tne eefOnu Tune thht night. Mrs.
| Swillet seated herself upon the steps. not. on
this occasion. TO- reason calmly. however. but to
abandon herself to the appalling conviction
.hat she had been suddenly and mysteriously
| bereft OF her reason.
Half an hour atterwnrd the landady OF 144
| was again aroused from her sleep by the ring
| ing OF the bell. and going 10 the door, found
| Mrs. Swllet there. The latter mistook her Tor
| Mrs. Gavel's servant.
"Wnl you allow me-" she asked meekly, " Ia
go into. your back yard and climb over the
| fence ?"
What under the sun do you want to climb
| over the fence at this hour of the night for ?'
| asked the startled landlady.
Why. live next door," replied Mrs Swilet
In dumb nmazement the landlndy looked
straight AZ her lodger; with the light Of recog-
| milton slowly overspreading her face Mrs
| Swilet regarded her lundlady. Then offeri ng
| no vain explanation. the bewildered lady fed 10
| her bedroom.
Yesterday morning at breakfast Mira Swilet
gave the girl u latch key and said: Emma.
please give that 10 Mrs. Gavel and II you see a
servant wearing long white night dress with
a fril upon It, tell her am very much obliged
70 her. Another cup Of coffee. please. and a
little more beefsteak."