The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-03-15
miscellaneous.
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
Good Housekeeping.

Good Housekeeping.
Unjust begin by telling my readers that
am nervous woman. Not nervous in the
sense Of starting at sudden sound nut with
that trying form of the malady which may
be described rs dPprehenSiCeneSS, that coward.
ly shrinking from the future which Shake
speare ascribes to an evil conscience, but
which is more correctly attributed by modern
scientists TO delicate, nervous organization,
or deranged condition of the liver. From
the moment of their introduction | had a
horror of elevators; and when my husband
put one in his hardware store down town,
felt that he might be brought in at any day
or hour, mangled corpse. 1t was in vain
that Nanny, the nurse Of my tender years,
the confidential friend of my later ones, re-
minded me that "it want no use takn'
trouble on intrus." had my fears invested
at compound rates, and they were gradually
doubling themselves.
Remember, john" called out as my
husband was boarding car one morning,
"De home to dinner by six, so we will have
time to get our tickets for the opera"
With all his good qualities must confess
that John is forgetful but we didn't often ip-
dulge in an opera in those days of our early
married life, and | old think he'd remem-
Der to be in time for such an unusual event.
Have dinner ready to be sent up by six
O'Clock" called down the dumb-walter TO
the cook, and few moments latter | was
rafting away on the sewing machine, turn
ing off garments for our little girl.
By six o'clock that evening was in my
best dress and at the psrlor window looking
out for John. what can it mean ?" l
wondered, as car after car jingled by with
out even pause,
had succeeded in working myself into
quite a state of anxiety when Nanny came
in with little Cora, who had been having an
airing on the pavement.
"DO you know" | said taking out my
watch, that it's a quarter of an hour past
the time aud John hasn't come yet? I'm
really uneasy about him."
"Lor, Miss Mary" said Nanny encourage
ingly, you know Mars John gwine stay
'Tain't while to make yourself Uneasy bout
him."
was sienced but not relieved by Mammy's
view of the subject, and continued my watch
from the window, my fears increasing as the
moments went by.
There he is now" said, starting from
my seat, as cessation of the bells showed
me that a car had stopped.
80, Nanny" exclaimed, looking from
the window, ait isn't John; it's IL messenger
boy. Look, he is coming up the steps For
heavens sake see what he wants. o NAM
my, Nanny, / knew something must have
happened"
There ia nothing more contagious than
fear, and Mammy's hands were trembling
vislbly, as, returning from the door, she
placed paper in my hand which contained
the words:
"The elevator door was left Open"
ats the elevatorr' cried. wrnging my
hands in an agony of grief 81 knew how il
would end o John, John; o my husband
l warned you, ! plead with you, but you
wouldn't listen ~
as he killed, Miss Mary" said Nanny,
STOPPING over Inc and speaking in hoarse
whisper.
at doesn't give the particulars" moaned !;
sit only says it happened from the door be-
ing left open. Perhaps he's still alive Per-
haps may see him once more! We must
go to him, Nanny. o my husband, my poor
husband p
1t was Mammy's dear, trembling old hands
that tied my bonnet under my chin it was
she, dear faithful soul, who hailed car, and
put me, more dead than alive, into seat.
"There," she said soothingly, as, alarmed
by the fixed expression of my countenance,
she applied bottle of camphor Caught up
in our hastv exit TO my nose, don't take it
SO hard. Maybe lie amt as bud rs you
think"
A few of my husbands employees hung
about the store door when our destination
was reached. Unmindful of the inquiring
looks which they fixed upon us, of the cur
ious gaze which our fellow travellers cast on
our retreating figures, | sank upon an
empty dry goods box turned bottom upward
on the pavement.
"We've come TO see Mr.. Henderson" said
Nanny, addressing one of the men who had
come forward, "ef," she added, "hes so as we
Ken see him."
"Have you gotten him out ?" gasped.
SIS he still alive? Tell me, in pity tell me! l
can bear anything better suspense.
"He qoas alive and as well as | ever saw
him when lie left the store an hour ago." re-
piled the man, looking thoroughly bewilder.
ed. HAS anything happened to him since p
"'As well as ever you saw him 2" cried l,
"then what did you mean by your message
about the elevator door being left open?
thought my husband had been crushed in the
elevator"
"O-o-o-h - exclaimed the man, o light
breaking over his face, and beginning to talk
FIST that might not be kept in suspense,
81 meant this The elevator door 1--WE call
it so, though it's only door that leads to
the elevator from the side street) was unfast-
ened Mr.. Henderson went off with man
on some business, taking the key with him.
suppose he thought he had locked the door
before he left, but he hadn't, and feeling
afraid to leave the store open, sent boy
up for the key. 1 thought, of course, he
would find MIR. Henderson at home"
"Then my husband isn't killed at all, He
is safe,' cried, covering my face with my
hands and weeping violently. "1expect you
think I'm crazy" said, looking up at last,
and smiling through my tears.
mo, l DON'T" said the man, brushing the
moisture from his own eyes, "Ive got wife
at home that would do exactly the same
way"
Idont know how my husband relished
this interesting drama which l was 80 oblg-
ing as to get up for the entertainment of his
employees of which he was the hero He ought
to have been thankful that he had wife who
was SO fond of him, but I'm not sure that he
was. I'm afraid in his secret heart he
was rather worried about it Men are awful
ly funny. They don't (at least the best
of them) like their women folks 10 make
them the subject of scenes But what
ever he thought he has never told me he didn't
,:l.o "a LII ayyo nh h,