Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-24

;. Really, Mrs. Frosty, I beg PARDON
l In a moment the astonished lady
r was on her feet. her face flushed with
the natural excitement of so unlocked
I for visit. She knew not what to say
2 'SThis is a ludicrous mistake. I de
{ clare Mrs. Frosty" said the colonel
"Here I am invading your house wher
5 [ thought | was safe and snug in my
own. This comes of these houses
. wearing such familiar faces. But il
| is my first mistake, and I hope you
will excuse me-"
Mrs. Frosty comprehended instantly
and laughed heartily.
II may get caught so myself, you
know" she said, land we are always
grateful for a call from you, Colonel
Sawyer. Now you are here and din
ner viii soon be on the table, why
don't you sit down with us? I am ex-
!, pecting my husband every minute"
The colonel began to thank her and
excuse himself on account of urgent
engagements for the evenings, but
while he was doing so the front door
was heard to open.
There" said Mrs. Frosty, my hus-
band is coming now. You'll not be
detained any longer than you would
at home. Come, [ think you'd better
stay
Along come Frosty through the hall,
and his sour face would have turned
sweet milk in a tWinkling.
The instant he caught the sound of
a male voice in the dining room his
old suspicious began to fame up again.
AS soon as he could creep along as
far as the door in his stealthy way
and look in through the crevice and
see who was there his rage burst all
mailman. Colonel Sawyer and his
wife were in the room alone! That
was quite enough.
"Now, what does this mean, sir?''
shouted the enraged husband, dashing
Up before the thunderstruck colonel
This is just what I've been expecting
for a long time. l knew there was
some mischief like this afoot. What
are you doing in my house? Tell me,
SIR or march yourself out sooner than
you came in"
| The colonel had got over his aston
ishment enough to commence a calm
explanation, when Mrs. Frosty, burst
ing into tears, threw herself before her
angry husband and implored him to
be silent, for it was a trifiing mistake,
and Colonel Sawyer would immedi-
ately explain all.
But the enraged man would hear
nothing
; ''Leave the roomr he exclaimed to
his wife. "I'll hear nothing from you.
| I've had disgrace enough brought on
me already. Leave the roomr'
! Mortified and in tears, she passed
out to brood over her misery and
modification alOue.
Colonel Sawyer essayed to begin,
though it was exceedingly hard work,
and he could accomplish nothing but
with almost suprrhuman effort.
Il mistook the mousse, sir, that is
perfectly honorable, and out of this
house, sir, you shall not cali them
in question without being held per
sonally responsible. I am quite ready
to leave the place. I assure YOU
! He began to do SO.
! "That is very we'll to say" replied
the jealous husband. Il should adj
! 70, II, tn I,n
little careful before you go into other
persons houses and see if your own
number extends the whole ,eI:gth of
the street!''
! Colonel Sawyer withdrew, resolved
! to have no further words with such
! a creature. He saw that he Vas be-
side himself with jealousy, and he
knew that speech would be wasted
I on him.
| Perhaps it was a couple of months
after this that Il party of gentlemen
fingered rather late at luncheon at
a tavern and forgot that it was four
O'Clock in the afternoon until they,
found it had long ago struck six.
! They were all jolly fellows. Their
eyes were flashing, and their cheeks
were getting rosy. The luncheon
: must have put them in the best Of
! spirits-or, rather, the best of spirits
in them. Among them was Mr. An-
/ drew Frosty.
+! If there was any one of them par
ticularly ''mellow," it was but fair
to say it was Frosty. He had evil
IDENTIFY improved his opportunities dur
ing the luncheon.
Going ont into the bracins air after
such a banquet, Mr.. Frosty began to
feel the effects very sensibly. BY hook
and by crook he finally sailed round
to the street in which his domicile
stood, pushing along till he thought
he had gone about where he ought to
live and went up the steps.
After hanging up his great coat and
hat in the hall he stepped along to the
door of the dining room and opened
it. Who should suddenly appear to
him as he looked around the room
but Colonel Sawyer's wife. Frosty
rubbed his eyes, stammered, made
half a bow felt wholly lost and finally
gave it up.
i II declarew he exclaimed, looking
banker than the wall, give mistaken
the houser'
-.