The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-02-24
BEHIND THE SHUTTER.


BEHIND THE SHUTTER.
Most houses have story; don mean
the architectural division designated by
the word, but the narrative of some cpl
sode connected with the inmates past or
present. / know mine has, and though
it deals neither with crime nor with
any incident of thrilling sensational
character; yet think it worth telling,
and sit down to do so in moment of
leisure, with nothing of graver purpose
to hinder me.
The house in question, occupied by
me and mine, is situated in London.
The building is an old one. No stucco,
swiftly 'run-up" enterprising jobber's
speculation, but good solid brick and
mortar edifice, reared with care, and
meant to endure. 1t was built, should
say, not only when George III. was
King, but young King, too, and long
before fashion had dreamed of migrat-
ing SO far west as Belgravia,
The event | am going to relate hap
pened some three or four years after
had settled myself cozily in my new
abode. | had returned one afternoon
somewhat earlier than was my custom,
for the purpose of celebrating my second
boys birthday and sat at home in my
easy-chair like Goldsmith's good old
Vicar, surrounded by my young hopefuls
of both sexes. Unlike him, however, ow-
ing to the din of romping and CHATTER, l
entertained serious doubts as to whether
should not have been better off had
continued single'and only talked of popu-
lation, instead of marrying and en-
deavoring to bring up large family.
Suddenly one of the children, who was
at the window, attracted my attention
by remark.
30, do lookr' she said-it was Min
ME, our youngest but one, who had not
as yet overcome certain difficulties with
regard to pronouncing of her ''r's''-
lido look at the old man in the steet!
He's just like old Father Cwithmas, and
keeps looking up here.''
"Where? where?" said the rest, rush
ing to the window.
l myself-as great a baby as any of
them-glanced out, and, to be sure,
the little thing was right. There was an
old gentleman to be seen-a very old
gentleman, with long, snow-white
beard, who stopped very much and
steadied his feeble gait by the aid of
stick-a real Father Christmas, but by no
means shabby one, for the black
clothes he wore seemed to be in eX-
cellent condition. My house appeared
to be the object of his attraction, and he
looked at it, hesitated, and then looked
at it again.
He's coming to the doorr' cried my
little ones, Father Christmas is COM
ing to the doorn'
"Coming to the doorr' said l. Good
gracious, so he is! Who can he be, |
wonder, and what can he want?''
He was too respectable and venerable
for tax-collector; and the manner in
which he approached the entrance of the
house showed apparent timidity and
diffidence. Surely he was making some
pected no strange visitors.
He knocked at the door, and / Just
peeped out of the dining roam, where
we were sitting, impelled by certain
curiosity to learn what his motive might
be singing us out.
"Does Mrs. Smith still live here?" he
asked the housemaid, who ran up to
him.
"Mrs. Smith, sir? No, there amt no
such party living here.' ....
-" All, gone, as l supposed" l heard
the old gentleman say, as though speak
ing to himself. "Itis many years ago"
There was pause after this, and
could see that Mary, our girl. was doubt
full as to what she should do next. The
old gentleman did not seem disposed to
go, but stood at the door rejecting in
silence.
Can l see the present owner of the
houseP" he said at last. ''Here is my
card; should desire if it is convenient,
few minutes interview
So there was no mistake, after all.
Father Christmas had marked us for his
own. l looked at the card which the
girl brought in to me and read-Count
Pogliano, Brescia.
"Count Pogliano, Brescia!'.' / thought
to myself. "That sounds Italian. What
can Count want with me?' However,
the movements of the old gentleman had
excited some interest in me, so | decided
upon seeing him.
Take him upstairs to the drawing
ROOM" l said to the girl. II will be with
him directly"
Ipacked the children off to the nursery,
and, having informed my wife of the
strange VISITORS appearance. hurried up
to'wait upon him.
He had taken a seat, but rose on my
entering, and DO we'd with grave courtesy.
Face to face with him, saw a man who,
when young, must have been strikingly
handsome, and to whom age gave sin
gularly distinguished and patriarchal
appearance. But for the stoop Of his