San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-02-28

| Mothers along the street head him up
before the eyes OF their sprUuting sons
as an example of the lofty aud true.
And fathers spoke of him now and then
to their eldest daughters, and hoped
that il they ever thought of marriage
and it is Just possible that some OF
them did-ihey would be satisfied with
nothing less than q character like his.
This certainly would seem TO be praise
enough.
Coming home musingly, and with his
head down, one evening, the colonel
thought no such accident was possible
as that he should mistake his own house.
especially as he had been in and out
that way so many times.
Perhaps the very fact that he felt such
confidence was the greatest reason
why he should make a mistake at all.
5ut as he was very much occupied with
his reflections. he abandoned himself
entirely to what he knew Of the way
home, and thought, of course, he should
reach that pleasant spot all in proper
time.
The consequence was, on this parti-
cular occasion, at least, that he slipped
himself quietly in through Mr.. Frosty's
front door, hung up his hat and coat
in the hall. and started for the dining
room.
As all the houses in the row were so
much alike on the outside, their internal
arrangements were pretty much after the
same fashion likewise, so that the hall
of Mr.. Frosty seemed exactly like his
own hall, and the dining-room door
opened just where his own did.
The instant he opened the door, how
ever, he began TO awaken TO his error.
The table was spread in the middle of
the room, and the pretty Mrs. Frosty
sat near the CRATE, just glancing over
the newspaper.
"Ah!" exclaimed he, bowling and
scraplng confusedly; Il beg pardon.
Really Mrs. Frosty, 1 beg pardon"
In moment the astonished lady was
on her feet. her face flushed with the
natural excitement of so unlooked-for a
visit. She knew not what to say.
This is a ludicrous mistake, | de-
clare, Mrs. Frosty" said the colonel.
"Here l am invading and taking pos
session of your house, when l thought
l was safe and snug in my own. Ha!
ha! ha! All this comes of these houses
wearing such similar faces. But it's
the first mistake of the kind | ever
made, and trust you'll excuse it."
Mrs. Frosty comprehended it instant
ly, and began good laugh over his in
nocent adventure.
IF | should ever happen to get
caught so myself" said she; and the
thought of the consequences made her
put her white hand before her face that
she might have her laugh out unseen.
1--WE are always grateful for call from
you, Col. Sawyer" added Mrs. Frosty.
Nov you are here, and dinner will
soon be on the table. why don't you
stop and sit down with us? My husband
will be in soon. | am expecting him
every minute"
The colonel began to thank her for
her polite invitation and to excuse
himself by reason of urgent engage
ments for the evening, and even while
he was thus occupied the outer door
opened and in came the veritable pro-
prietor, Mr.. Frosty himself.
"Therew exclaimed his wife; my
husband is coming now. You'll not be
detained any longer than you would at
home. Come, think you had better
stop with us"
Along came Mr. Frosty through the
hall, looking cross and sour enough. His
face would have turned sweet milk in a
twinkling.
The instant he caught the sound of
male voice in the dinIng-room his old
suspicion began TO flame up again, and
as soon rs he could creep along as far
as the dcor i'll his stealthy way, and
look IN through the crevice and see who
was there, his rage burst all bounds and
made him momentary madman. Col.
Sawyer and his wife were in the room
alone! That was enough!
''Now, what does this mean, sir?"
shouted the enraged husband, dashing
up before the thunderstruck colonel.
This is Just what | have been expect
ing for long time! | knew there was
some mischief like this afoot! What are
you here for. sir? What are you doing
in my house? Tell me, sir, or march
yourself out quicker than you came
inr'
The colonel had got over his astonish-
ment enough to commence calm ex-
PLANTATION, when Mrs. Frosty, bursting
into tears. threw herself before her
angry husband and implored him to be
silent; for it was only trifing mistake,
and Col. Sawyer would Immediately ex-
plain it all.
But the enraged man would hear
nothing.
Leave the room!' he exclaimed to
his wife. "rll hear nothing from you.
I've had disgrace enough brought on
me already. Leave the roOm!"
And mortified and in tears, she pass
ed out, to brood over her misery and
modification alone.
Col. Sawyer essayed to begin, though
it was exceedingly hard work, and he
could accomplish nothing but with
almost superhuman effort.
II mistook the house, sir, that is all,
said he. My intentions were perfectly
honorable, and out of this house, sir,
you shall not call them in question
without being held personally respon-
sible. | am quite ready to leave the
place, | assure you"
And he began to do so.
That is very well to say" replied
the Jealous husband. 81 should advise
you for the future, however, to be a
little careful before you 90 into other
persons houses, and see if your own
number extends the whole length of the
street"
, Col. Sawyer withdrew. resolved to
have No furthar words with such n
creature. He saw that he was beside
himself with jealousy, and he knew
that speech would be wasted on him.