Year: 1864

unnecessary piece of information; but it
was by no means so in reality, and the ladies
knew this. They knew that nobody would
come unless assured that Morrison was out
of the way; and, moreover, some of them
would like to have been assured also that
he would be kept there-at least while they
were under his roof; for every one Of those
invited on this occasion knew Of and enter
tained the most profound respect for old
Walters prowess and ferocity. They would
as soon have faced Russian bear as have
faced the old boy in any situation, Cr under
any circumstances which might provoke his
displeasure. The addenda, then, to the
invitation of which we have spoken, it will
be seen, was not at all without its use; in
fact, it was necessary, to account for there
being any party at all.


The invitations distributed, and all ac-
cepted, which they at once were-for both
Mrs. Morrison and her daughter were highly
estecmcd-such preparations as could be
made, without catching the eye Of Walter,
were Immediately commenced and carried
on with great vigor aud spirit. But this
circumspection was not long necessary. The
morning of Mr.. Morrison's departure came
and on that morning he departed accord
ingly, looking as grim, when he mounted
his pony, as one Of the old warriors in West
minister Abbey, or some ancient German
baron setting out on throat-cutting cxpe-
dition. The unhappy person on whose case
he was going to sit in judgment was to be
pitied, if any faith is to be put in looks
for he was the very personifcation of all
that is merciless, and severe, and unforgiv-
ing. However, away he went, and the coast
was clear for Margaret and her mother, who,
on that event taking place, lost no time in
completing their preparations. These pre-
parations were, in the present instance, on
considerable scale, as Il was determined to
make night Of it--one Of the merriest and
happicst that had been seen. And to con-
tribute to the accomplishment Of this object
fiddler was engaged, and dance contcm-
plated. For this purpose the largest room
in tho house was selected; but there was
considerable difficulty in preparing II for
the occasion, on account Of its being filed
with large bags or sacks Of snuff, which, for
want Of convenient stowage elsewhere, had
been slowed in here to await transportation
to the city on the following day. These
lnseemly membranes, however, were got
rid Of. The snuif-bags were crainmed into
every corner into which they would cram.
A lot of them were, thrust in below bed
that stood In recess in the room; other
parcels were slowed into the presses and
closets that opened into the apartment, until
the whole were fairly disposed Of and out Of
sight. All preparations for the impending
entertainment having been completed, the
two ladies, mother and daughter, and two
female relatives who were living in the house,
but Of whom we forgot to speak before, at
tired in their best, awaited the arrival Of
their guests, in joyous anticipation Of
merry and pleasant evening. And with
equal happy anticipation their guests came.
With countenanccs beaming with satisfac-
tion, they popped rapidly in, one after the
other, until the whole were assembled, to
the number Of seven guests. The men were
all bachelors, Of course, and, if not all pos
itively young, were, at least, the very Oldest
Of them, what may be called youngish.
Such as they were, however, here they were,
all seated around Mrs. Morrison's tca-table;
and liyclicr, more facetious, or more hila-
rious little party, you could not have met
anywhere. Every ono was in higher spirits
than another, and the laugh and the jest
went merrily round, along with the tea and
the toast. By and by, however, the sober
and sedate joys Of the tea-table gave way
TO more noisy and obstrepcrous mirth.
There came the drinking Of healths, and
the singing Of songs, and all tho other sights
and sounds Of particularly happy and a
particularly merry party. But, alas who
shall guarantee the continuance Of any
earthly felicity? or who shall say to him
soli, Of this l am secure? No one; none.
At the moment Mrs. Morrison's party had
attained the zenith Of their hilarity-just
when they had begun really and truly to
enjoy the spirit Of the evenings sudden
scream from Margaret, who was, at the mo-
ment, in q situation to command view Of
the short avenue that led up to the house,
instantly arrested the mirth Of the reyelcrs,
and threw them into the greatest alarm.
They were soon made aware Of the cause.


"My father! my fatherl" cried Miss
Morrison, in the most dreadful agitation.
Oh, mother! mother! there's my ia
theri" W.


"Yonr father, Miss Morrison why, on
my word, that is no joke, and that your
friends will find, unless they make clean
heels for it!D cried her mother, running in
the greatest alarm 10 the window, to Judge
for herself Of the alleged fact. The pro-
ceeding established the accuracy Of her
daughters report. There, to be sure, was
old Crusty, jogging leisurely up the avenue,
and looking, if possible, crustior than ever.
II was an appalling sight. What on earth
had brought him home 90 soon? How, in
all tho world, had he accomplished SO great
a distance in SO short a time? These were
questions pertinent and curious enough, but
which there was no time just now to pro-
pound or inquire into. The great and in
slant business in hand was escape, evasion,
dispersion, concealment, avoidance, refuge
--all or any Of the expedients by which
danger may be eschewed. This every one
felt-but how was il to be done9 There
was no getting out Of the house for, from
the house there was no egress excepting by
the front door, and Of this the old boy had
the full command, so far as view went, as
he rode up the avenue. Escape from the
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