The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-01-10

NJ WIZ cumstantial evi-
dence, he has been firmly convinced,
for the time being, of the guilt of some
innocent person. The melancholy ex-
perience of Mrs. Crumpet is a case in
point. She was kindly, jolly, mid
dle-aged woman happily married,
plenty of money and plenty of friends.
The most intimate of these numerous
friends was Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown
aud Mrs. Crumpet has been school
friends together, and although Mrs.
Crumpet now lived In Baltimore while
Mrs. Brown lived in New York, the
old intimacy had never been allowed
to COOL Mrs. Brown was a stately.
dignified woman, with suggestion in
her manner of the old school. At the
time this episode in their lives begins,
Mrs. Brown had been in New Orleans
and was thinking of returning home
when she received letter from Mrs.
Crumpet.
'sDo you know, dear Jane" it be-
gan, ''it is now over q year since I
have seen you. Do manage to give
me little time on your way home.
We are just getting the house in order
Tor the summer, and preparing to go
10 the country. If we are at the coun-
Sry place when you and John pass
through Baltimore, come to us for as
long visit as you can, we will make
you comfortable there; if we are still
IN town, come to us, beg, and take
As as we are; if you do not como, I
bhall feel as if it is because you do not
care to make any exertion to see your
DID friend. You always had such de
termination, remember" ETC., etc.
Which letter Mrs. Brown answered
by saying:
dear Amelia-We will come to you
Thursday of next week. We can stay
only the one night, as George is now
very anxious to complete the arrange
ments for the new house. / hope you
will be in town and allow me to study
the proportion and arrangement of the
mahogany room. L am quite deter
mined to have one in the new house
exactly like it, ETC., etc.
Thursday morning Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown arrived in Baltimore and found
their friends still in the town house:
the carpets were up. the curtains were
down, the sofas and chairs done up in
covers, the chandeliers swathed in the
CHASTITY white bags that delight the
heart Of the good housekeeper; q fear
full odor Of tar, turpentine and cam
phor pervaded the whole house. After
such q cordial greeting from Mrs.
Crumpet that Mr. and Mrs. Brown
quite forgot the momentary feeling of
discomfort caused by the aspect of the
house, they were shown to tho room.
called "the mahogany ROOM" by
Anne, a maid who had been with Mrs.
Crumpet long enough to feel that che
owned MIR. and Mrs. Crumpet as well
as the whole establishments. This
room was the JOY and pride OF Mrs.
Crumpet's life. It was furnished with
rare pieces Of rich old mahogany.
which had been in her family for gen.
srations. The ceilings and walls we're
tinted soft, mellow shades Of q lighter
tone OF mahogany color. The room
was generally hung with curtains, n
combination Of delicious shades OF
tawny yellow, richly embroidered and
heavily lined these were put away in
preparation for the move In the conn
try, which took place next day.
That night the two old friends had
q long talk, each feeling that as Mrs.
Brown would be obliged to take tho
carly train tho next morning they
must improve their opporfnnitieg
When Mrs. Brown finally went TO her
room, tired ont, she found Mr.. Brown
already in bed in rather n perturbed
state Of mind. With bed II certainly
is handsome is that handsome does"
Now, the stately mahogany fourposter
was unquestionably good 10 look at.
but Dir. Brown had found it was not
rood to lie upon: the mattresses
settled into an obstinate hollow in the
middle Mr. Brown, who took
serious view Of life in general. and his
nights rest in particular, was sitting
bolt upright tho picture Of Voc and
despair.
Mrs. Brown, being q woman Of re-
source, proceeded 70 try 70 remedy
this state Of things. "Now. n 7 onlv
had one Of those Marseilles quilts.
George" she said, opening and peer.