Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-27

mspccd Mr.. Chuckles' Aou'
Franz Featherwell is . pretty specimen
of his sex, must say"
~ am glad, papa, that you think ne
Is nice-Iooking, !" demurely replied Mary
Ellen. -,
fnmed papa. "Pve had to pay the
whole seven shillipgs and sixpence Tor
carrisge on these precious fowls"
awell. papa, dare say the pretty
little chicks are worth much more than
that" 49,,
"Pretty little chicks indeed h:
echoed Mr.. Chuckles sarcastically.
"why, the old bird who is given 70
pecking has already entered upon his
profigate career by inflicting severe
wound in my trousers legs; should
like to ring his ancient neck !"
"where are the poor things now!"
asked Mary Ellen.
.sIn the garden, to be sure" growieo
the incipient chicken farmer,
"Then," said Mary Ellen to her
self. 81 can carry out dear Franks
wish very nicely" and she tripped in
tho most innocent manner through the
glass doors and down the steps leading
into the garden, as though the word
conspiracy was utterly unknown in her
vocabulary.
"That boy Tiddlewinks," Unused Mr.
Chuckles, sis sharper than | gave him
credit for being. 1t was very thought
full of him to suggest that the lid of the
hamper ought to be more securely fast
ened down; because, should the birds
succeed in escaping from their confne-
ment before have got ready suitable
place for their permanent abode, awk-
ward results might follow, especially
il the cochins were to invade the we'll
kept garden of my next-door neighbor,
the fiery Major Ironlungs. l think it
would be wise on my part were l per-
sonally to superintend the tying-down
operation.'' And Mr.. Chuckles left
the room with the intention of carrying
out his idea.
When Mary Ellen reached the bottom
of the garden she was not long in dis
covering the whereabouts of the hamper
of poultry. After carefully assuring
herself that she was unobserved, the
wicked young lady drew from her
pocket a pair of bright, sharp-looking
scissors and deliberately commenced to
cut through the cord which secured the
lid of the basket. Just at the moment
she was giving the finishing touch-or
rather cut-to her mischievous work
she heard her name pronounced in low
but very distinct tone, and looking up
on the instant she encountered the gaze
of her enamored one, who was looking
at her over the wall which separated
the garden from the back lane.
"Oh, Frank !" exclaimed Mary
Ellen, chow you did startle me, to be
sure! :"
"Was it q frightened little birdie
them" said Frank, in hooking tones.
" But" he continued more seriously,
"of course you got my letter all
right? Come close up to the wall and
lend me thine ears as tie man says
in the play"
Mary Ellen dutifully obeyed her
lover, but found the wall tri6e too
high to enable her to easily carry out
Franks desire as regards her auricular
organs without good deal of standing
on tiptoe and craning her neck upward,
which exercise caused her ruby lips to
come so close to those belonging to the
adored one at the other side Of the pro-
sale bricks and mortar that the result
was sound Of an Enthusiastically oscu-
latOry character.
4" Everything" whispered Frank,
sis going on swimmingly; so darling,
you must meet me in an hour at the
church door. I've got the ring, license,
witnesses, old woman, pew-opener, lit
tie boys to cheer, and crowd to gaze
upon and admire the lovely BRIDE"
Z" Do not be absurd, SIR" said Mary
Ellen, blushing. "But do you think ii
quite safe" she continued, hcsitatingly
Safe? Safe as-houses, my pre-
cious, nervous little goose" Agar
came the osculatory sound.
"Oh, dear Frank. how sudden ant
terrible it does seem !"
L" Fearful, is it not?" observed thu
hardened wretch.
But-but Frank, dear, you have
not yet told me why | am to allow thu
chickens to escape from the hamper
"Simply piece of strategy, worthy
think, my dear, of the hero of Tel-el
Kebir. There is the hamper. WheI
the lid has been unfastened you viii
raise it, and Their"
"Well, what then, sir?"
"Why, then, if | am not very muc|
mistaken, the sagacious cochins will a
once avail themselves Of the gloriou
opportunity presented to secure thei
freedom; and when their respected
owner discovers them taking surveys O
his land he will use his best endeavor
to lure back the exploring poultry int
their deserted prison house. Ofcourse
the wise birds will respectfully bu
firmly decline the invitation, and then
Don't you see my pet?"
81 think | do" responded the pet
with a merry twinkle in her eyes.
"Of course !" calculated her lover
"While the exciting chase is proceed
ing and all is glorious confusion, a Gel
tain young lady l know will quietl
put on her hat and cloak and spec
with fairy footsteps to the beautiful &c
clesiastical edi6ce round the corner
No one will miss her; the entire house
t hold will be engaged in the praise
worthy (but trying attempt to Undue
erratic poultry to travel the way the
do not wish. In the mean time, Mis-
Mary Ellen Chuckles has been trans
, formed into Mrs. Frank Featherwell
Only think, dearest !"
t On hearing this, the expectant brio
could do nothing more becoming tina
. earnestly inspect the points of her tin
r boots and blush bewitchingly.
a "And now," said Frank, consultir
his watch, time flies ; so must Il
: chickens. You must do the deed"
Q The deed was done; Frank disaI
: peared and Mary Ellen fled indoors
/: her own room.