Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-01-26


umes, which made me more eager to
prevent him, and hastily laying nv
hand on the first volume, l pulled it
forcibly; but 10! instead of books
board, which by the book binders
art had been made to look like six
teen volumes, came tumbling down,
and unluckily pitched upon an ink
stand on the table under it. In vain
did Sir Thomas assure me there was
no harm; saw the ink streaming
from beautiful inlaid table on
to the splendid Turkey carpet, and,
scarce knowing what l did, attempted
to stop its progress with my white
pocket-handkerchief In the height
OF this confusion we were informed
that dinner was served up; and l,
with joy, then understood that the
bell which had first so alarmed my
fears was only the half-hour dinner
bell.
In walking through the hall and
suite Of apartments to the dining
room, l had time to partially collect
my scattered senses, and was desired
to take my seat between Lady Burton
and her eldest daughter at the table.
Since The fall of wooden Nenophon,
my face had been continually burn
ing like fire-brand; and was just
beginning to recover myself, and to
feel comfortably cool, when an un-
looked for accident rekindled all my
heat and bushes.
Having set my plate of soup too
near the edge of the table, IN bowing
to Miss Dinah, who politely compii-
mented me on the patten of my wais-
colt, discharged the whole scalding
contents into my lap. In spite of an
immediate supply of napkins to wipe
the surface of my clothes, my trous-
ers were not stout enough to save me
from the painful effects of this sud-
/ den fermentation, and for some min
utes my legs and thighs seemed in a
boiling caldron.
At last, when the pain began to
abate, l managed to bear it in silence
! and sat with my lower extremities
parboiled, amid the stifled giggling
! OF the servants.
/ had piece of rich, sweet pud-
ding on my fork, when Miss Louisa
Burton begged to trouble me for a
pigeon that stood near me. In my
haste, whipped the hot pudding
into my mouth. 1t was impossible
to conceal my agony; my eyes were
starting from their sockets. At last
in spite of shame and resolution,
was compelled to drop the cause o
torment on my plate.
Sir Thomas, his sons and the Ia
dies all compassionated my misfor
tune, and each advised ditferen
application.
One recommended oil, anothe
water, but all agreed that wine wa
the best for drawing out the heat
and a glass of sherry was ordered fo
NE. The glass was eagerly seize'
by me but oh! how shall l tell tn
sequel? Whether the butler by acci
dent mistook, or purposely designed
to drive me mad, he gave me pal
brandy, which filed my mouth, al
, ready flayed and blistered. Total
1 unused to every kind of arden
spirit, with my tongue, throat an
z palate as raw as beef, what could
3, do? | could not swallow, and, CLAP
II ping my hands upon my mouth, th
: liquor squirted through my nose an
!, fingers like fountain over all til
dishes, and l was crushed by burst
of laughter from all quarters.
In vain did Sir Thomas repriman
his sons and the servants; IN val
o did Lady Burton chlde her daughters
n for the measure of my shame an
y their diversion was not yet complet'
+ To relieve me from the intolerab
Al state of perspiration which the acc
o dent had caused, without considers
a ton | wiped my face with the IL
o fated handkerchief which was stl
wet from the consequences OF the Ia
IS of Xenophon, and covered all n
a features with inky streaks in all q
l. rections. The baronet himself cou
N not support this shock, but Joine
his lady in the general laugh, while
t, springlng from the table in despal
g rushed out of the house in an agol
10 of dispair and disgrace which IL
- most poignant sense OF quit cou
n not have excited.