Year: 1859

the FRoLIcK-JusTlcE A GAME or HAgARD-THE


FINALE.


Throughout the day succeeding the one on
which Roger Wilson and old Mag had their en-
counter there was an unusual stir about Mrs
Bachelors house. Everything seemed to de-
note great preparations for some extraordinary
amusement. Rough looking men were seen
walking to and fro on the adjacent pavement,
and ragged boys were busy carrying confec-
tions, liquors, &c., TO the house. Several OF
the haggard looking females who held their
nocturnal revelry beneat Ii the approving
smile of this woman, might have been seen
peering from tile door and windows, as if they
were suspicious of the approach of something
that might have tendency to mar the hap
piness they had in prospect. The old woman,
herself, displayed a disposition to do every
thing in her power to give eclat to the coming
festivity-for festivity it was intended to be.
With her cap twisted awry her grey hair
flying about her face at every turn Of her
body, she was moving about gaily, giving di-
rections to the different females, who willing
ly obeyed the mandates of their superior
Every person residing in the neighborhood
took notice of the unusual preparations and
were fully convinced that Mrs. Bachelor was
going to out do herself One thing that made
them notice it more was the fact that every.
thing in ordinary times was sngularly quiet
about the place in day time, no matter what
might be the revelry of the night. This open
preparation was to be the forerunner of some
thing grand every one knew it, and, of
course, curiosity was on tip-toe to see the ex-
pected spectacle. The young men who usual
ly visited that place at late hour of the
night--to hold their drinking orgies and to
gambe-came out boldly and walked in among
the women to help make the necessary ar
rangements to carry into effect the glorious
fete. Never did that notorious building re-
ceiye such a thorough drenching. Floors that
had not felt the moistening and cleansing in
fuence of water for years, was now literally
deuged with an inky-looking fluid. Five or
six bloated women were busily engaged in
plying whitewash to the dingy walls. Thus
proceeded the preparation. Throughout the
whole day, some of the well-known ruffans
of the town could be seen vending their way
to Fourth Street, to get glimpse of what was
going on; each promising himself, as he went
away, fine sport for the evening.


Evening came. All the festivity that the
day had promised was now to be realized.


The tidiness of the house gave sufficient tes
timony that the labor of the day had not been
for nothing. Everything was arranged with
extraordinary neatness, for the place. The
old dresser groaned beneath load of decan-
ters and tumblers that were gracefully ar
ranged in rows with tempting impudence,-
The windows, for once, were opened, and be-
hind each light of glass was placed tallow
candle, which, combined, shed light of no
ordinary magnitude across the street. For the
first and last time, in the memory OF man was
that house illuminated. 1t was to be glori
GUS n!ght-a night to be remembered by the
citizens of Wilmington-and at last to become
part Of its legendary history. Such was to
be the grand fete pending the departure of
Mrs. Bachelor from town. She had been sus-
pected for some time, Of committing various
crimes, and the authorities (although they





was about TO take the precautionary measures
to prevent the re-oceurrence Of depredations
that they believed she was guilty of-by ma
king her leave the place. Knowing that this
was to be her last night in the town, she deter
mined to treat her friends to a jubilee before
she moved to Philadelphia, which she intend
ed to make the theatre of her future actions.


On came the egowd--for the party was not
an exclusive one--to have parting festival
a genuine republican frolick Singular as it
may appear they were to have no music at
this leave taking-at the farewell festival of
the virago.


On came the'crowd Boys filed the streets
and with their shouts rent the air. On came
the bloated faces and SCARED countenances;
on crowded the wan and tho pale---the flushed
and the smacistsdf on crowded the fierce and