Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-11-14
A MODERN COMEDY OF ERRORS.
BY J. j. BARNETT.

Newport at the height of its season.!
Two brothers with their wives, who
we're sisters from Boston, are spending
their holiday there; a masquerade ball
is to take place In two weeks. One day
at dinner, Mr.. G.. 81. refers to it as pe-
ing the leading topic on all lips, and
that every one anticipates very high
toned affair.
"Now don't imagine for one moment,
dear, that half of those who talk so
loudly about the coming ball have the
least Intentions of participating IN 1t.
They only boastfully wish 1t to be in
ferred that they can afford to attend it,
for they well know that under the dis
,guisIng costumes worn on such occasions
1T is difficult to prove who attends and
who not +"
Surely you are not aiming for me
TO say that we will go, for now that we
are married, masquerade balls should be
out of the programme entirely"
''Of course they are, love. The very
idea of such matter-of-fact folks as we
think ourselves to be, taking part in
such an absurdity! Still, l really think
that Emily is trying to induce Harry to
take her; and if we find they are gong,
we must not let 1t be said or thought
that they surpass US even in that height
of extravaganza.
81 don't think you need worry your
self any further on that point dear, for
believe Harry expects to be In Boston
on important business, about the time
the call comes off; and it is just possible
may be called away also. At any rate,
should we find that they are going, why,
then, we will not be outdone, but viii
also go, but ne will wait the word from
them. In the meantime, we will not
lead them to think that such anidea has
entered our minds. / am very glad to
know, dear, that you are easy In your
mind about not going. ~ Is ...#L rs Fl
Your word and wish is my law, love-"
was Mrs. G. HIS concluding remark, as
her husband sauntered out of the dining
into the smoking room. H H-a asosI'
Almost the same scene and converse
tion occurred on the same day between
Mr.. and Mrs. 81. II. at their hotel. At
any rate, precisely the same understand
ing was come to between them-viz., all
were to attend the ball or none. ~. ...F.
The night of the ball arrived, but not
a word passed between the brothers or
their wives about going. Even if they
had arranged to 60 1t would have been
failure, for both brothers were called
a way to Boston. ~-arr ~-. -rTfr--
The ball proved to be the event Of the
season. It was conducted most brilliant
", and the best of decorum prevailed
throughout. i ##.#
Magnificent costumes representative
of ali leading people in past ages and IF
chimes were worn, and every one that at
tended told all their friends who we're
not there that they had missed sight
of lifetime.
Newport season is over, and the HIS
have Just returned home. The scene is
now in the bed-chamber Of Mr.. and
Mrs. e. H, who are about to seek re-
pose.
Mrs. q. requires some requisites from
a Saratoga trunk. She unlocks it, when
she suddenly exclains:
g Why, Harry, that stupid express
man has delivered the wrong trunk.
On. dear, oh, dear! What shall I do ?"
calm yourself, dear; calm Your
SELF" soothipgly spoke Mr.. FL. "We
can soon set the blunder right"
my new dress viii be spoilt-
creased to a rag if it remains long
pressed down so hard IN my trunk!'
$. Well, the best thing TO do will be
for you to carefully remove the contents
from this one. You may find some let
tiers or papers by which we may learn
It's owner. There, doubtless, we shall
find yours It's lucky your key fitted
the lock. +"
Her actions had already followed his
advice, and sundry piles of wearing APP
parel were piled upon the carpet around
the trunk. v-rf
1nen-Out came a masq uerade COS
tune of sky-blue velvet, cut after the
Mary Stuart style, the amazing sight of
winch took the pink out of the cheeks
and lips Of Mrs. a., who dropped 10 a
chair as if shot. W. #
A bundle of letters fell from her
hands. She recognizes her husbands
handwriting, and trembling with the
utmost excitement, she opens and reads
one.
1t is written to her sister Edith, ar
ranging how to meet him at the ball,
with iull description of his costume,
so that she might recognize him on
sight. a.-(5 t 81
She wildly exclaimed:
$50 you could take that deceitful sis
ter of mine. but not me?" then sank
back IN a sWoon.
When she again became conscious he