The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-02

1t seemed they had not, for after the |
noise had lasted about an hour, and
Mr.. Through had begun to dress him
self 80 as to 60 upstairs and remon
strste, the torment ended, and the
weary couple dropped asleep.
But the next night the same myste-
rious noise began just after midnight.
Mr.. Through calculated "Ghostsl' in a
sapulchral tone, upon which his wife
buried her head in the bed-clothes.
Suddenly Mr.. Through sprang into the
middle Of the floor, dressed himself,
took a revolver from bureau drawer,
and, in spite of a hoarse whisper of
DON'T from his wife, went upstairs
and rang the bell of the fiat overhead.
The door was opened almost instant
ly, and Through felt rather ashamed of
himself, for in front of him stood little
woman who seemed entirely composed
and was neatly dressed, while he felt
that bis face was wrinkled, his hair in
disorder, and his clothes awry. Never
theless he proceeded to business by say
ing:
"I'm very sorry to disturb you, mad
am, at such an hour, but there is a
most peculiar noise that seems to come
from your apartments-Iam the tenant
of the floor below-I feared perhaps a
burglar was at work here"
''Noisep" said the woman. 'Burg-
larp"
'TheIe it Is nowl'' exclaimed Eb-
rough, as the dreadful blow--not loud,
yet quick and hard-fell upon his ear.
"Thatp' said the woman. "Oh, that's
only the drum"
"Drump" echoed Through.
"Please come in moment, sir, and
IN show you," was the reply. Through
entered and was shown into the front
parlor, where he was simply paIalyzed
by the spectacle that met his gaze. On
large rug, spread on the floor, were
arranged inclined planes, ladders, hoops.
balls, barrels and trapezes, all in minia-
ture, and over and through these four
little dogs were doing tricks, some quite
difficult, their changes being regulated
by taps upon drum, which was beaten
by an inoffensive looking man, whom
the woman addressed as professor. "
II suppose you've seen them before,
sir; though, of course, you wouldn't
recognize the two smaller ones, they
being only learners at present"
81 can't say that l have" replied
Through, when he recovered his tongue.
"Why, how strangel' said the wo-
man. "We've had them at every va
riety show in the city. Give me one of
our cards, DEAR"
The card was produced, and Through
read Professor Raflino and Mile
Raflino, sole owners and managers of
the marvellous performing dogs, Lulu
and Sprite. Twenty minute specialties.
N. B. Managers are warned to beware
Of persons who initiate our name as
nearly as the law allows"
''This is the first year that my name
has been on the bills" exclaimed the
little woman; "but there's more busi-
ness 10 be had than the Professor can
do, SO, as you see, we're training new
couple of dogs for me to show. OF
course, Pm Mrs.-Mr. Raffin-the 90
is only put on, you know-Mr. Raffin
and l were married ten years ago, but
Mile is better for business.
81 see,' said Through, meditatively;
"but wouldn't it be better to train
them by daylight"
"Oh, dear, no." said the little wo.
man, with half pitying smile. "They
have to act by gaslight, don't you see,
so they must be trained by gaslight,
and the best time to do 1t is after the
older dogs have been playing at the
theatres-they're thoroughly woke up
then."
''Just like u.s." murmured Through
to himself. Then he meekly asked:
''How long will it take to tlain the
new ones2"
"Well, ," said the woman, meditative-
ly, "it's now almost May; Pm trying to
bring myself to believe that can risk
taking engagements for September. "
"Good evening-please excuse my in
trusion-I assure you it was well
meant" said Through, rising abruptly.
The woman saw him to the door, and
said confdentially:
"Be thankful you're on the second
fat, instead of this. Oh, the noise, the
noise Alameda, the three.fngered
cornet-player, is over us. He's a
peaceable, sober gentleman, but it
takes him SO long to learn new tune
that he makes us almost crazy with his
practising, and it disturbs the dogs
dreadfully. 1 beg your pardon, sir, but
may ask you one Question-have you
any childrenp"
"None."
''I'm glad of that; told the land
lord that il he let in family with
children we certainly should move.
The dogs are very sensitive, and as
they have to sleep by daylight, chill
dren's noises annoy them terribly.
Good evening, sir, perhaps your wife
would like to come up and see the dogs
PERFORM"
'Thanks, you're very kind, but Mrs
Through is not feeling very well this
evening""
How Mrs. Through felt when she
heard who her neighbors overhead were I
is more than type and words can ex-
plain. She declared she would waylay
those dreadful people, seize their dogs,
and kill them-throw them out the
window-drown them-anything, rath-
er than have such vulgar, disgusting
wretches in the house.
Fortunately, however, for the Eb-