The Detroit times., 1912-12-27
MIR PICKWCKs EMBARRASSING PREDICAMENT


Lovers OF Dickens will easily recall
the seminary incident" in which the
well-meaning Mr.. Pickwick Is TIA
ken In" by Jingle's clever man-ser-
want, Job Trotter; is led 10 try and
stop a supposed elopement of Jingle
with one OF the seminary boardc:s,
and Is caught by the abbess and the
entire household at midnight In the
seminary garden.
"Half.past 10 o'clock arrived. and II
was time for Mr. Pickwick 10 issue
forth on his delicate errand. Resist
ing Sans tender OF his great coat
In order that he might have no en-
.cumbrance in scaling the wall, he set
forth. followed by his attendant.
There was a bright moon. but ~
was behind the clouds. II was a fne,
dry night, but il was most uncommon
ly dark. Paths. hedges. fields. houses
and trees were enveloped In one deep
shade. The atmosphere was hot aud
sultry, the summer lightning quivered
on the verge OF the horizon, and was
the only sight that varied the dull
gloom in which everything vas wrap
ped. Sound there was none, except
the distant barking of some restless
house dog
They found the house, read the
brass plate, walked around the wall,
ans stopped at that portion OF II
which divided them from the bottom
of the garden.
The faithful Sam hoisted Mr.. Pick
wick over the wall and said good
bye.
Lights occasionally appeared in the
different parts OF the house, or glanc-
ed from the staircases, as II the IN
mates were retiring TO rest. Not car
ing to go too near the door until the
appointed time. Mr.. Pickwick crouch
ed into an angle OF the wall and wait
ed it's arrival.
The hour came and Mr.. Pickwick,
according TO arrangements with Joo
Trotter, who was TO let him In 9y
that door, in order that he might
arouse the house and save the elop-
ing girl, knocked gently.
There was a slow whispering inside
and then a voice cried:
Who's there
That's not Job" thought Mr.. Pick
wick. hastily drawing himself up
against the wall again.
That's woman"
Believing he had aroused the house
hold, Mr.. Pickwick mentally decided
to keep quiet till suspicion was allay-
ed and then climb over the wall again
and get away. But he did not count
on the inmates opening the door and
finding him.
Who's there" screamed a numer-
trahIa voiaaa from the
staircase inside, consisting OF the
spinister lady OF the establishment
three teachers, i've female servants,
and 80 boarders, all half dressed, ano
In a forest OF curl papers.
OF course Mr.. Pickwick didn't say
who was there; and then the burden
of the chorus changed into 'Lor!
am SO frightened"
Cook" said the Lady Abbess
"Cook, why don't you go little way
into the garden"
please, ma'am, / don't like" re-
sponded the cook.
While the cook was shaking and
the Abbess scolding. one Miss smith
ers. a boarder, spied poor Mr.. Pick
wick through the crack In the doof.
Ladies, dear ladies" said MI.
Pickwick.
"oh, he says we're dear" cried the
ugliest and oldest teacher. oh, the
Ladies'" roared Mr.. Pickwick, rom
dered desperate by the danger OF mis-
situation. Hear me! am I'd ROD
Der. / want the lady OF the house.
What did you do In my garden,
man." said Miss Tomkins In a faint
voice.
81 came to warn you that one OK
your young ladies was going 10 elope
tonight" replied Mr.. Pickwick.
''Elope." exclaimed Miss Tomkins,
the three teachers. the 80 boarders
and the FIVE servants. Who with
Your friend, Mr.. Charles Fitz
Marshall"
"My friend! don't know any such
person"
We'll, Mr.. Jingle, then"
II never heard the name In my
life"
Then | have been deceived and
deluded," said Mr.. Pickwick. nave
been the victim of a conspiracy. Send
to the Angel, my dear madam, you