The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-24
LOOKING 1T UP,
Mr. Fosdick Learns the Value OF IN Ency-
clopcdia.

clopcdia.
Mr.. Fosdick sat in his library reading "A
newspaper. He threw tho sheet aside. roso
and went to the bookcase which contains
his encyclopedia and ran his eye along tho
volumes. Ho did this two or time times.
and then he spoke. making great effort
10 De calm, and succeeding about rs well
us most lncn succeed when they try to be
calm In tho bosom of their families. This
Is what he said:
One of the unexplained mysteries is
why the particular volume in an cncyclo-
pcdia set which you want to consult is al
ways tho one that is missing from the
bookcase. Another of tho mysteries which
despair of ever hearing satisfactorily e1-
planned Is why you people can never re-
turn u book to the ease after using it"
(which volume is it you want dcarP"
asked Mrs. Fosdicl meekly, she being in
cluded in the torn you people. " used by
Mr.. Fosdiok.
II want the volume with the E's In &c.
There is an allusion to Mount Etna in the
newspaper which l want to verify. and
that particular volume is tho only one of
the whole two dozen which isn't in its
proper place"
Mrs. Fosdick went to tho bookcase and
began to search its shelves Then she
looked in another bookcase but without
success, ana her husband expressed his I'M
alterable conviction that either his wife or
his daughter had removed II from its place
and failed To return it,
II believe Ethel did take 1t to her room
the other day" said Mrs. Fosdick after
moments thought
ETHEL"
Ethel was curcd up in big leather
chair reading "a novel and had taken no
part in the discussion.
Yes, mamma"
Didn't you take volume of the cncy-
clopcda to your room tho other day when
you had to write an essay on Emcrsonf'
II believe l did, mnmma'
You must have left 1t there Hurry
and bring 1t down"
Ethel left on her Grand and MIR. Eos
dick occupied tho time in delivering some
exteInporc roinarks on the way women had
OF dropping things wherever they happened
To be, regardless of the place appointed Of
their Keeping. 1T makes me so cross 4"
he continued, Ito find my books of refer
cnce anywhere and everywhere but where
they ought to be, that | am seriously CON
sidering tho ACCESSIBILITY of locking up tho
reference bookcase. Volumes OF that char
acter should never be taken from tho H.
brary, under any circumstances. Now. |
am always very particular myself To re-
place book on its proper shelf as soon AS
] am through with it, Well, where is itg''
he asked, rs Ethel rcappeared without the
book.
II remember now that brought 1t back
as soon rs was done with it, papa said
Ethel
But that's impossible, child. You
must have left 1t somewhere 1t isn't in
the case
oh, now 1 remembcrl" exclaimed Mrs.
Fosdick
"WellF' qucried her husband. "You arc
tho one who took It away and forgot to
bring 1t back, arc your"
No, sir, 1t was you, YOURSELF Don't
you remember That you got Interested in
an article ON Egypt aud brought it up to
my room to read it to mo night before
LAST"
I'LL believe did"
1T IN my room vet, know. saw /,
this morning and intended To bring il
Gown to the library. Ethel, think youIl
hnd 1t on the bureau in my room"
Miss foSdick made another trip I'D
s,%irs, ana her father maintained Al stolid
silanco during her absoBce When she ro-
turned, she had ,he missing volume in her
hands. Mr.. Fosdck took it aud began 10
turn its leaves in siloncc> as the incident
seemed to call for no furthc. comment from
HIM. His wife said nothing, either. Sho
simply thought
Presently there was another impatient
exclamation from Mr.. Eusdick.
What Is it now, dcar?" she asked
LOOK at that, " ho replied, pointing to
place ON the open page. Sho looked and
read this line:
'Etna. See Etna Life.