Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

?=*= *?? " ? T-? V-? 88^ =?? ? .'I ^ I I.. .I ^ .1 ^ '. ' I , . /'. "' gggje^Mp. w'i'ff^ggaL ' LEWI^,^,;fRIS^ 1 . 5~ptptiiiitnt lainilrSttospgfr: jer % |rmnriien <rf % |aMraT^rial, jgrintlinntl anb iamnrtrtia! gntattts cf tj[t ' VOL. 15/ :. I YOEKYIL^, S. C.; THTJB8DAY. O CTQBEB 81. 1869/ " " "~-.iv-. ZZ#Z fh? TSEQTHEB MRS. JOHNSON, ^ Juhuson was something iu tha city. When we have said this much. wd have told pJefty well all that even hia most intimate acquaintances and neighbors knew of his commercial status. A close, uncommunicative little man. was Johnson?one whd never troubled himself about other folks' affaire, nor suffered othere to busy themselves about his own. - Not that there was any want of politeness in his manner, or anything rude or offensive "in his reserve. He >vomd chat in the most Ifcipiliar way upon topics of general conversation ; and. his regular fellow-passengers .by the morning steamboat considered him a remarkably pleasant fellow. Punctually,^ a certain ho^r every morning, would Johnson embark at Lambeth Pier on the penny boat for London Bridge; and during the voyage he would, as we have said, converse ifi the most friendly fashion with the little knot of acquaintances on board ?men who, punctual as himself, traveled every morning by the same conveyance, and so had almost come to know each other.. But only upon general matters would he bo oon-l vers?. However others might talk of their several business affairs, Johpson never alluded to his own*,' nor ever t&opped the, slightest I hint that would indioate the branch oT com-' merce iu whieh he.was- engaged. -.Arrived at London Bridge, lie would bid ."hi* fellow-jmssengers good njorningj and fherirdisappearing into one of the numerous, harrow, tortuous streets that led tip from the river to the Bank, would he seen by them no mojre until . "they met on board, the boat the following morning. Nor were his own immediate neighbors any more, enlightened as to tfohnaoijfe;feusine?. .Johnson was no recluse, -avoiding the society of his fellow-men. On the contrary, the same agreeable companion that he was on board the penny boat in the morning, he also was among his neighbors\'When .he^returried fVom business in the evening. Johnson resided in a small, but thoroughly "genteel" street, not far from Westminster Road, and in close rvrnvimffv to those. "Buildmiss" which, for some inscriitaWe reason or other, are associated with the name of ffercules.- . In the un/ doubtedly "genteel" parlor, of the decidedly "genteel" tavern at the corner of the street, Johnson would every evening enjoy the society of a most select gathering of tite neighboring tradesmen. Here,he would every evening arrive with the same punctuality that marked his appearance in the .morning. on - the pier; | would go straight to his regular seat in one particular corner of the room;, .would smoke i one pipe, and drink one glase of the very mildest ale, and precisely as the clock struck ten took his departure, Still, .even here his . companions knew nothing more of Johnson than that he paid his way regularly, and was "something in the city." The nearest approach ! that had ever been made to an attempt to question Johnson upon business matters was : made one evening by the landlord. A temporary lull in his conversation having occur- . red, the landlord turned abruptly to him and ; asked? " ... . \ "How are things in the city, sir, to-day?" Johnson replied briefly, that he believed money was somewhat tighter; and that the Bank of England had raised the minimum rate of discount; and then, although it want Ctl IVrciJlY IIUUUI<? Ul urn U.JUUI t.wv, UV the room. "You know he don't like talking shop," remonstrated the butcher from next door. The baker from round the cornet thought it was very odd he never could be got to say what he was; but for his own part he fancied Johnson must be "something on the Stock Exchange." i-: "1'' " The landlord suggested he might be "some| ibing in some bank or otherand so the matter was left. ' ; ^ Even the few intimate friends who visited at Johnson's house knew very little more. Mrs. Johnson did now and then have a few neighbors ill to tea; and occasionally went out to tea herself; but the utmost anybody had ever learned from her, even in her most confidential moments, was that Johnson was engaged in getting up a company in the city ; ana, until it was all settled, he didn't care to talk ?bout it. As to what the company was to be, she really scarce knew herself, for sbe never liked to interfere in business matters. In saying this, poor little Mrs. Johnson scarcely exaggerated her own ignorance. Her husband had, of course, informed her of the j name of the company with which he was con- } nected; and she it had something to do j with sugar. But what: his precise position in connection Avith it was, aha was unaware. Once or twice, when she happened to be going into the neighborhood of the city, she had proposed thafrehe-shwrfd catPat thur office- anaa'eeoftipany him home. . Thia,;'h?wever, he invariably opposed. He had no idea, he said, of women interfering with business. As for a fc woman fetching her husband from his office, " it was perfectly ridiculous. He Avould not lieaxuifitr . lie must request -of her never to intrude upon hi? brajness hours at the office. His wife?they were, ai yet, only in their second rear of wedlock, and Avives (at first) are apt to place implicit faith in the superior judgments of their lords and masters?supposed he must he right. Possibly her presence at his office might distract his thoughts from business. Possibly, too, affairs Averc not overflounshmg just noir with his company, and he Avould not like her to be A\itness to any difficulties he might have to coutend with. The i.rtiiaolfttpninc- monev- ho suDDlied her with. though regular as the sun itself in its coming could hardly bewailed plentiful; ,JIis business obviously was not vet a flourishing one. Probably at his office he had to undergo worse difficulties they hadJ at home, and he would rather spare her the spectacle of his hard struggles. At any rate, he did not wish to see her at his place of business; that was enough for her?the more especially as she found herself quite -sufficiently occupied with baby, who was now "beginning to take notice, ^ in a way that was really wonderful for his age." So Johnson's office in the city remained a terra incognita to'his good little wife. And now, shaft we be deemed guilty of taking ap. undue advantage of the author's privilege of-pee ping behind the scenes?of knowing all about the .thoughts and motives of the characters?if we divulge the secret which Johnson kept so assiduously from his nearest friends, evCO, in a great measure, from his own wife? The truth may as well come out at once. Johnson had a weakness?a pardonable one, perhaps some would call it; while others would pronounce it despicable?at any rate, he had a weakness. He did not care that his acquaintances, or evien this loving little wife of his, should know how very humble was his real position. He had first met her, three seasons ago at Brighton, where he had chanced te go-by an eweuifcion train, at a time when hisprospects were decidedly betted than at presehk. He' had then made ilo secret of his position in life?-which was that of man* ao-iner clerk to a large citv firm, in wMeh he 11 had every chance of some day rising to a partnership-.* " Since he had married, however, the larger city firm lmd come* to grief^ and bad appeared m the columns -of that highly respectable, 6e?H-weekly newspaper, of which her most gracious Majesty,'Queen Victoria, is sole proprietor, whieh is published every Tuesday and Friday, and which is caHed^he ^Ga-' idle." Johnson had subsequently got engaged upon the new *'Sugar-Cane and 'Molasses Company" < Limited), now just struggling for ex " r>..t v_ j:j *^11 l^ience. x>ut xir uiu uut i tuc \aj a u? nu? even, still lege hifi mere acquaintances, that his connection with that company was only that of a clerk-at thirty shillings a' week. So he maintained. this mystery about his city business to his ordinary acquaintances, while he restrained his wife from, calling on him at his city office. -. Jout Christmas comes but once a year; and as everybody knows whu has read anything more sentimental than an almanac, the 25th of i>oeeinber is a day on which the domestic virtues and home affections hold high festival. At Christmas-time the various members of, families unite, and perform.all-sorts of mystic rites pver,wassail-bovds?^yuis^of eggdlip, bowls of ale, tankards of mulled claret, and .what not./ So, considering the genial influences of the season, we can scarce blame Mrs. Johnson for that, hading herself on Christmas Eve in the immediate vicinitv of her husband's office, -l r.-J? i? i-? 1? ,..r ?tr lltnurgut lici ncgr; IWIU o ^cuciai,uiucioi as to determine thnt she -would just this .once call in, and bring him home with her. His office was No. 56 in the very street, the corner of which she was. now passing. > The corner.house itself, opposite which she paused, bore-for its number 48. Her'husband wa9 then^ut eight doors off. Chaly the'frontages of eight narrow bouses separated hei 'from her dear'Johnson. - Was it likelv 6.he could pass on without walking just the distance of those eight deorsout of her-way to see him? i And upon Christinas Eva, too? J Mrs. Johnson turned dowA the street; and, having cometo No. 56, she entered. A strange, uncomfortable feeling seemed,.to. take possession of lier'as she did so?a fooling that she was in some way an intruder, .was trespassing on forbidden ground ; and as she mounted the inhospitahlerunfamil iar stone steps that led to the offices, she could scarcely overcome^* feeling of downright desolation,'as she reflected how* utter a stranger she was id. this place, where her husband passed the greater parf pf his daily existence, * / : : She reached.the first floor, upon which she had some recollection of having heard her husband say his office was situated; bqt she looked round in vain for any reference either to Johnson or to Sugar-canes and. Molasses. There_ were, several dooif .'upon the landing, but all bore unfamiliar names. All but one; j and-that had upon it simply -a smudge of whitey-brown paint, blotting out whatever name had been there before; She was about giving op the search as hopeless, when her eye fell upon a strange ' 'eroglypkic figure, Which Dersons of an imaginative-turn of mind might take for the representation of a human hand, with the fore-finger pointing up the next flight of stairs. -Upon the wall, close. adjoining this anatomically impossible hand, were inscribed the words "Johnsofi & Co." Dp-stairs she accordingly went; and knocking timidly at the office-door which bore her husband's name, was invited to enter. She found herseh'in a handsomely-carpeted, handsomely-ftirnished room?more handsomely furnished, it appeared to hei\ than Johnson^'business could either reqaire of aflbrd. Yet, doubtless, he knew Jjesi., In getting up a public company, it might be necessary to make a show at any sacrifice. However this might be, she could hot help mentally.eontfagting that splendid Brussels carpet; with the felt drugget that adorned their best parfor at home; and the Comparison was decidedly not in fevor of the drugget. " it '' The sole occupant of the office was a fclim, wiry youth, or . boy, or man?for he might have been of any age, from fifteen to five-andtweuty?whose bright red hair, and keen, cunning, sparkling eyes irresistibly suggested the notion of a fox. "Was Mr. Johnson in ?" sheasked the foxylooking clerk. " "No, Jie was not. But would she wait half a second, please? What name?" '.V But Mrs. Johnson would not give her name. She had-HsiUy Kttfo creature that she was? fqlt an indescribable , relief on hearing that her husband was not upon the premises. The moment she had seen the elegantly-appointed offioe, so unlike what she had pictured it to herself, she had repented the rash step she had taken in intruding there, in opposition to his express "wish. She felt very much as poor Mr^. Bluebeard must have felt ou first viewing the forbidden interior of the Blue Chamber. What she now., saw - was less horrible than the sight that had met that lady's eyes ; hut it was none the less one forbidden by- her husband. Therefore she would rather tnat he should not. know she had been there. So she made some blundering ^pecch th^t her business was not of the slightest consequence; and that she would nerhans Call -again,:.-(A . fib! and she knesv it. Once safe away fifom there, she would never come again without her Ejisband's sanction.) And so, with more blundering apologies to the red-haired clerk for having disturbed him, she tried to make her way out at the door. . , : But this young gentleman would not hear of it. In the politest manner possible, but with a firmness far beyond his years (whatever they might have been numbered,) he requested her to te seated, ,fJust for half a second." , Of course, it would be preposterous to refuse waiting for the infinitesimal portion of time, although perhaps accurately speaking it might be difficult to take a -seat even in the allotted period. Mrs. Johnson did."not wish it to bethought that she absolutely ran away from her husnand's office, much as she inwardly regretted having come there at all. So she consented to sit down for half a second. The foxy-looking clerk disappeared through a door marked "Private." Ihe half second that he was absent proved a long one. So long indeed that if there be any truth in the lirvkon lifn nn nf AUUlbi^iiVU'MVU VMK/AWj uuiuwii Aiau aajv?\?v U|j \ja such half seconds would, with its three-score years and ten, utterly eclipse the longevity of the patriarchs before the flood. Long enough, amongst other things, was the half second that she waited, for Mrs. Johnson to overhear from the inner, office, to which her hatband's clerk had retreated, a shrill and unmistakably female voice exclaiming? "Wants to See Mr. Johnson, and will give no name ! Bring'her in here to me!" What could this mean? Who could be the owner of this shrill-female voice, that seemed to speak with such authority ? Poor little Mrs. Johnson regretted more and more that she had disobeyed her husband1 by calling at his office. She felt very miseriibie and uncorafortable altogether, and would have given, anything could she have got away, unquestioned from the spot . At this moment, however, the foxy-looking clerk made his re-appearance, and' requested she would step into tne private office fot half a second. (Haifa second seemed to be bis notion of the amount of time required ibr most things.) Would she step in for naif a second ? .. No; she thajiked him. Slfo. would rather qot. Her business was n^i of the slightest consequence. And she fancied she had heard a lady's Voice. ' The fpxv-looking one replied? "Yes;it is MrRL Johnson!" . \ ' 4iMrs. Johnson T. Eh ? Why, what's the matter, ma'am ? Yon seem taken queer all at ,'ohce. Take a chair, ma'am, for half-second." : ' 4*Oh, no, ho!" cried the poor little woman, bursting into tears. - "There's some' mistake. I)o let me go now, please." < She was moving toward the outer door, and the foxy orte/ by way of remonstrance, was about to suggest the propriety of reflecting upon matters for his favorite length of time, when the door of die inner office once more opened. A lady of commanding presence made her appearance: a lady above the average height, and decidedly beyond the average circumference, even in the present ultra crinoline age: a ladv wearing a magnificent and amply distended dress of purple moire antique, surhiorinjed by a black velvet jacket, trimmed with real sable: a lady with d massive gold chaiu affixed to a gold watch considerably larger than the usual run of lady's watches, and Worn outside her jacket at her waist: a lady with a profusion of valuable rings adorning her hands, and of other jewelry adorning her somewhat extensive person generally. All this poor little Mrs. Johnson was able to perceive at a glance, even in the midst erf her confusion and distress. Indeed she would have been no true woman had she not. We verily believe if there were female members of the police force, and one such were to arrest a criminal of her own sex, even the gravest Charge, the culprit, before thinking of her own .defence .or gnawer to the accusation, Would manage to "take stock" of what her captor was dressed in. : The gorgeously, attired female having gazed fixedly at our friend Mrs. Johnson, for a brief space of time, (for "about half a second" would doubtless have been the deposition of the fbxylooking clerk, had he been called as a witness in the matter), and finding that lady not inclined'to open the conversation, or indeed to do anything but shed tears andtremble, begged to inquire what her business might be, adding that anything she might have to say to Mr. Johnson could be just as well tola to her. Would the lady be good enough to step into tKo Jnripr nffipp? ' <> "For half a seeond," insinuated the foXy one in a parenthesis. Airs. Johnson cried afresh, and begged they should let hex go home. She. was sure there Was some, mistake. She was so sorry she had intruded. .. The lady in the moire antique, and the. big watch cham, aided by the foxy-looking clerkj however, managed to get our pobr little friend in through that door marked "Private."1 s If Mrs. Johnson had been' struck by the unexpected elegance with wfeieh the outer office was furnished,. she was ;positively. bewildered ! by the profusion-she now witnessed in the little room in which she found herself closeted with this unknown lady. Pictures not only covered every available portion of the walls, but were piled in heaps upon the floor all round the room. Odd trinkets, knick-knacks, silver plate, and articles of vertu were heaped upon side tables, until the whole place looked like a broker's ware house. There was, in fact, only just space enough to walk among the 'accumulated valuables to the small writing^ table which occupied the centre of the apartment and Vfhich had two chairs placed, one.ai each side of it. To one ,of these chairs the strange dashing lady motioned Mrs. Johnson, While she sat herself upon the other. And on the table by the chair where the strange lady sat there was some Berlin wool work (of au unusually large and" glaring pattern), which she had obviously just laid doWm Behind her chair her bonnet and shawl were hanging against the wall. ' Jr . . . "Now, madame," she commenced, as soon as they were alone, "may I inquire what your business is with Air. Johnson V' "Oh, I am sure it's all a terrible mistake," sobbed out Mrsi.' J ohnson. - "It was silly of 'me to come?when he always begged me never to intrude upon him at his office.". "Did he, indeed 1" replied the other. "And mmr T nslr +h<? nat.nrft nf vnnr rtfVUlftitltflnp.A witfi Mr. Johnson f' '' "Acquaintance!" she exclaimed m astonishment, (she forgot for the moment she had declined to give her name). "Acquaintance! I am his wife!" * ts "His what?" ... "His wife." She had shaken off her weeping deprecatory manner now, aroused by an exijression- of her companion's face, of something very likc coptempt. And now the little woman asserted herself bravely. "So!" cried the magnificent one, "itis you, ia it, with your mincing wax-doll face, that has been the cause of his neglecting me as he has dcfoe!" "Neglecting you! What do you mean, madame? I repeat, I am Mrs. Johnson." "Pooh!" exclaimed the other. "Don't talk to me. I have found you at last. I.knew I should. And so Mr. Johnson forbade you coming here, did he ? He knew that I should be here to meet you if you did come. And you have disobeyed him at last. Well, madam, I am glad to see you." "What do you mean ?" cried Mrs. Johnson, starting jtym her seat. , "Who are you ?" "The unfortunate but lawful wife of the base man you call your husband," replied the other coldfv. r "You?"* -V y ?T :V ' ' ' - v-. 1 , > "Tis false," cried Mrs. Johnson. "Is it?" retorted her gorgeously attired companion, as she pressed down the knob of a spring-bell which stood close at her hand. We should be sorry to accuse the foxv-looking clerk of having been listening at the key hole; but he certainly could not have answered the summons of that bell more rapidly, if * .*11 _ 1 he had had his hands upon tne iopn aireauy. On this occasion his own estimate of the amount of time required for various actions was strictly true. It was literally not -more than half a second from the bell striking to his entering the room. . "Skillet," said his mistress, addressing the foxy-looking one?"request the housekeeper to step down to me." ' Mr. Skillet?for such it seemed was the .'name of the red-headed clerk?disappeared in about the space of time he was so prone to talk about. The two rival claimants to the title of Mrs. Johnson stood eyeing one another, each with an expression of fierce disdain?although on the part bf her whom for distinction we must 'Qall oyr Mrs, Johnson, the disdain was of a fearful,.alarmed, wondering kind; while on the other Mrs. Johnson's face it was.haughty, triumphant, and contemptuous. Mr. Skillet soon returned accompanied by the housekeeper, whom he had fetched from her secluded dwelliug in' the attic. She was dressed in a gown of rustic black merino, and wore a widow's capWhich had evidently Been better days. In manner she was crave and 1 sedate, as befitted" one for Whom the bustle i and tnrmoil of life was over, arid who had ' long since settled "down resignedly into the 1 cares of offices. She eouftseyed deferentially'i to the lady whom we have designated the i ""other" Mm. Johnson, while on "our" Mrs. 1 Johnson she fixed an inquiring stare. i -"I want you, madam, if yon please," said < the other Mrs. Johnson, "to inform this person y t-we will say,-if you please, thiB lady?wheth- ( er or not I am the wife of Mr* Johnson, who rents this office from your master," i "Which certainly you are, mum," respond- y ed the housekeeper. "Leastways, I can t say ? as I've seen your marriage-linea. But since t you've been in the habit oficoming here every { day, your good gentleman has always spoke ? of-you tome as his good lady."-, ; ( "She comes here daily!" cried.our Mrs. ( Johnson in dismay. ,< - . 1 "Wfiich Ihope,mum," remarked the house-[. keeper, turning to her, "X hope yon won't he i coming here .to disturb the other gentlemen as i has the other offices, with anything like what 3 I may call obstropulousness., They've always i been kept respectable?these offices have." ' i "The other offices!" crfe# oui l^ John- c son, a ray of hope seeming for a moment to H- 1 luininate.the dark mystery. "Tell mfe^lsit possible, there is some. bther Mr. Johnson. I having an office in these premises T s "None, mum," replied the housekeeper, i "Leastways, there haven't-been since I've nad t charge of the plhce, which is five yeajs come t Lady Day." - - ' r "A^d'tnisis No. 06?" aaked onr M^b. John- 1 BOn.- .,fA, .) ,;-i 1 "This,, mum, is No. 661" s "And there is no-other of'thh name," interposed the other?the sumptuously ailltifed Mrs. e Johnson, "than my husband!"' ' I "None, mum. Leastways, unless the party t as has just taken the office on theTfifet floor t answers to. the name. But:.they doh't,.j?ke y possession till the day after to-morrow,' ami 1 they hasn't got their name writ up as yet. So i you see there's no knowing." csy :' ri 1 But this was quit# enough for our .Mrs. c Johnson. Her Johnsonwns neither one ;df an 1 extinct, genus of the aute-pr^sont Housekeeper c period, nor a ncwjienani to.Qomeininthe fu- t ture. He was .located there now. And in If his office?the office of the only Johnson on E the premises?she had found--*) woman tyho < not only claimed herself to be, but was'ffc- 1 knowledge# by the respectable widow who f. had charge of the establishment, to. he ^Irs. 1 Johnson! . . , 7.1 7* 1 This, then, was the reason why he had for- 1 Wta Atlvr AAI/VI rli/1 abo ' 1 U1UUCU ucx uuiuiu^ IA7 u10 vivt uuiw) vuva uuvi? say ? Rather a-sutoptuoiw todudofr, in which i he spent his days in thw**ftefety of tois gor- ? geous female^ leaving hfe lawful wife -to slave at home in poverty. .i.- i.> L\ 1 The gorgeous female, smiled, in wicked, tri- 1 utnph on the unhappy little woman,and-asked 1 her whether-she was satisfied, or whether she i would like to waifc-uniil -M?< Job!ison came? i "Oh 1 no, no, not for the world?".pried the i poor little wife. No earthly consideration t should induce me to remain in this dreadful j place or even to darken its doom again. But i you may tell Johnson, if you see him?as I have no donbt you will?that?that?-that I 1 could not have believed it of him." 1 And bursting afresh into tears, she made a J most undignified retreat from that sumptuous- 1 ly furnished apartment, and hurried rapidly ~i down the stairs. ., j "Skillet," said the gorgeous one, directly af- < ter she had "gone, "follow that person, and ] bring me word where she goes to. . ] Skillet, of the foxy aspect, snatched up his * hat, and followed in pursuit, with fih pnques- I tioning alacrity, which Seemed to imply that < he was not unaccustomed to such or "similar i errands. '* - ' ' >? a' i Johnson did notttppear toafc eventfigHit his i usual time And place in that highly reapecta- i ble hostelry at the corner of the street toWhich \ he lived. Thedtfcer regular frequenter* of the l place thought it strange?extremely strange! 1 He, who was as punctual a? the clock itself, ] in his time of coming and quitting them/ Sure- i ly there must be "something upF'v . ' A1 The baker from around toe corner couldn't 1 tell what to make of it - ^ ' j The buteher from next door, looking verfy i mysteriously at toe others across the bowl of if his pipe, declared his belief that he could toll summ at as would astonish 'em ahit if he t chose, only it was no business of his, and ho j didn't like interfering with his neighbors' affairs. ,'} .. . . . : t nn molinoiiAn iAi kn_QX)u j .Lllitt ttllCCUIVfVU v* au juvxiu?viua?: vu mv; i cret, however, deceived no one. It was plain 1 the butcher was bursting to,tell all hekpew- .< ,So it required but little pressing to g?t;UUt of ] him that he had seen Mrs. Johnspn,not more a than a couple.of hour? since,.get, into a pah i with a lot of boxes, and,the baby .with her} j and though her. veil was down he'.'was quite < certain she was crying; and moreover, that the x girl that was in the nabit of coming daily to .) help in the work of the house wa$ crying too) . as she saw Mrs. Johnson to the cat; and by j the way in which she bade her mistress, good- i bye, he felt sure that the lady was gone away ] "for good and all." What did they think'of ) that, now? '' * Leaving the assembled gossip to make what 1 they could out of the butcher's statement, we } will avail ourselves of the privilege Of taking a look into Johnson's home itself. ** Johnson arrived home on that Christmas ) eve at his usual time; in fact Johbson ahrays 1 did everything at his usual time. He came 1 provided, with a mysterious bottle in one ef his coat pockets, and a paper bag containing 1 half a dozen eggs, in his hand?undoubted iq- i dieations of Johnson's intention to celebrate < the eve of Christmas with the orthodox "flip." 1 Altogether Johnson was in a merty, -genial < mood, thoroughly fitted to the season. ) The door was opeiied for him, hot by his ] wiffe, as he expected, bat by the apology for a house-maid, the girl before alluded to. This i was strange, Johnson thought; but still more t strange, he observed the giii was weeping?no, i that is too weak a term, was absolutely blubbering ; more strange even than this, she band- < ed him, without speaking, a letter, m the su- 1 perscripfcion of which he recognised the hand- i writing of his wife. , i Strangest of all was what he found inside of that letter; ' ? "You have deceived me. I know all. It have found out the real reason why you have < always so positively prohibited my calling at i your office in the city. I have gone to mam- t raa at Brighton. It will be in vain for you to \ attempt to follow me. After yotlr deceit, ! will not fcee vou." " J. . ! , i What could this mean? Even if she had i discovered his very humble position (how she t had found it out he could form no idea)/ still c his deception in keeping it from her, , rof her ' own comfort's sake, was surely luTfcufch euor- i mous crime. It certainly did not warrant t such a remarkably-strong measure of retalia- 1 tion as this desertion of him. What should j he do ? Her letter said it was in vain for him t fact he was jpainfhlly awafre ali^fcdy^ tre had 1 not about him at the moment sufficient ready .? money to enable him to do so, had he resolved' upon that step (and railway companies' ViD not, however urgent the occasion, givetiekete upon credit). Ho could, no doubt; ha^e bantowed die amount. But bow could: -he tell icy: one his wife had -left hira?-and for a causeso utterly1 absurd ? How could he ever -Irnve the slightest claim to respectability hereafter, if it were known his Home bad been made des)late because Mrs*: Johnson had found out he i ivas not a city merchant or speculator, but'' jnlya oierk at thirty shillings weekly wages? Utterly bcwildered: as he was by the blow, so unexpected, so impassible to occur (as it ivould have seemed to him if prophesied), Johnson felt that there was literally nothing . x) be done. He immediately dismissed the rirl from further attendance for the evening-, iorrowfully laid aside the pottle and the bag )f eggs be had .provided for spending a jojdy Christmas eve, and went lonely* despairing, iopde?8, joyless, and egg-flipdess^io.bed- -,. y - The sun rose bright upon ;,tb<3 Christmas norning.; a sharp, clear, crisp, frosty; mornng; a Christmas of t^ie good old sort; a truly Snglish Christmas; and t^e church bells rang ? nferrily in honor of the day. ' Ahd everywhere r Heads meeting friends .were wishfeg one afa- ither "a merry Christmas and a happy New j '*' c j'< But Johnson, rising from his troubled sliira- 1 )fers unrefreshed, felt nothing df^tKesfe'genial,! 1 easoilable influence. The'Christmas' morn- < ng might be clear and crisp, and of the good ' ila English sort. 'For Johnson it was only } niserably cold. For him the church bells 1 ung out discords l^arably japgliog out of tune. 1 ?or him there*was no fnendly grasp of hand; 10 kindly wishes of the season. Nothing but ? olitude.r ftreary, cheerless,Joyless solitude. . 3 He came down stairs. "The'grates which' i should have been glowing with a Christmas i Jaw, we're' eold and black. ' The bottle abd t he'hag'ofeggs standing. whOre' He 'had' lefitj i hem over higntj-seemed to reproach htm with;! vhat Christmas eve should have been; ''And r vhat; is this hidetms M^Mpourid'that' ho finds * n'a basin covered-witha cloth? A chaotic ? nass of an ^nwholeBOMe*h*5king, yelltrwish,- i Irab mrirtnile; -something that might be taken! or some new invented mortar, but'for th'ofee ' larker colored spots pervading it^which Jdhnlon, on investigation, finds out to be raisins!; * Spirit of Christmas! is it possible ? This un- '< lightly mass turns out to-be uncooked pudling! -The Christmas Pudding!"1 The magnify opus' of the -twelve month's cookwy!' ni _ J - V? _? I.* _1 L * -.1- * ; L ne aeuuiuiu) ?m'urwr?uuuu iraicu uimbub-, uiw iphorically, all the year's loving domesticity, tad prosaically,: all the toothsome- anticipaions .of. a good Christmas dinner.. The Chriatnas pudding I so splendid inita appearance jxfdue course upon the table! How loathsome does it loot; gncookedy deahabille I-. . . W Under existing circumstances^ need hard* y say that Johnson, did .not. care to boil that mdefamg. - The present age has Afitoessod the >irth of maqy heresies, and abuadont dying zr the face of old beliefs-and,traditions. But are happy to believe that cooking arChristnaa pudding for pjues-fiei? to bcguzzled in uniocu4 solitude would imply a degree of, depravity at which the world has . not yet arayed. .. Still, however depressed and overwhelmed he mind, man must have food. So Johnson, aaying, after a. good Jiour spent in trying to light a fire, and another hour in .watching for he kettle's boiling, made himself, a cup of (vretchedly bad tea, took bis solitary break-' fast?after a fashion washed tip his single hp and saucer; and then sat down to think aow he should spend the day?his Christmas Ihere are some problems that fesolve therajOlvfes ; aiid it is possible to-debate ih ' )ur own mind how time should be disposed of intif We'find the'question answered'for us and he time already'^nfr. Bo it was nearly noon irid Johnson had not yet made up his mind irhat Ke should do upon his lonely Christmas Jay, when he was startled by .a cab drawing tip to his door, and still -niore styrtted oil' seeing emerge from that cab a buxom, smiling, kindly-looking personage in '^hom he'at once recognized Mrs. Johnson's7 mother.- Hevra# try no means sOinttch startled after this^ wheh, having rushed to thb door, and admitted his ?ood mother-in-law, another figure, that of his runaway wife, followed, with.the baby in her inns. ! -- > -y> vCiXi r Mrs. Johnson seemed scarcely to dare look it her husbandyas she followed her mother inx) the best parlor. The old lady seated herself in a chair as :hough determinedIfcPihake^heifeelf at home; ind then, uttenty regardless of Johnson's fcfres -in . . 1- nr> l t ; ? jnce, proceeded to raise on per Dormei>7 wns lone,. she raised die : skirt of her. drees,; and produced from -tome mysterious- hiding place >r other, a cap pf each woriijroasly elaborate itructure, that how it could have survived the railway journey-.without ao much as ..being, irushed,appeared a,downright mystery..; .She idjusted her cap before the chimney-glass, and Jien sat down again prepared lor anything. - "j4nd now then," said the old lady, looking icross to, where Johnspn stood regarding her . md his.wifq.by. .turns with an.odd, puzzled look, "&>V then, Jet us have it ..out Tins idly girl of mine came home last night with in absurd story?I scarce know what?of four having some other lady-love concealed n the unknown region of the city." 1, "I!" exclaimed, Johnson in astonishment. "Don't. interrupt me," cbn%ued" the ,y|d lady. '.1 said to theStup$ cl^ Jane, ny deaVjl^don't. believe it Bdt; ri^htor pfrong, I'will take you'back aqd Aee about it. ro-morrow, my dear, isCfcristihas'Day, When no wrfe should, under anV circumstances, be tway ^rbmher husband's home. In factl'lhe >ld lady added d>y way of.'par?ithesi^ ^f'I vere not myself a Widow, j" would hothare rome with her, even on this occasion.' So we racked ourtetVefc off on'the hrst| trarn this norning, and here we are." ^ ot4 ' "Why, Mitew Jane," cried Johnson, a^boh is the old lady allowed him a chance of get-ingio a word! "What have you been dreaning about ? Ia lady-love in the city!" ~ ] i Then Mrs. Johnson told him all*; -Herdisibeying his commands} her calling at his' of ice; and her interview witft the gorgeous renale. -All, precisely as!we havealready told ;he reader. . * - - ' /.. '-"Eh! Then, by Jove !" cried. Johnson, imiling in spite of himself "you've been to he office of old Johnson,, the bill disoounte*, m the second hoor. A pretty sort of Christnas he'll spend to-day! His wife's as jealous is a hippopotamus, and goes .there cbiily to vitness his interviews.with his clients." / "What 1" exclaimed Mrs Johjgppn, much elieved. "It was then not your office thatJI i vent to?. Yet stay,". she added,- "they disinctly told me there was not another Johnson j in thejireraises.", . .. $ ,.L.1 ,'^pr is there," replied her husband; "aha < n tlii^feot ^ies all with which I ieel I have j o reproach myseif.- While in that building ; [ am no Johnson. Hear me, ^Jary Jane, and j jardon my silly pride. W^fenT nfet j^y rer j :ent pecuniary reverses, and had to put up 1 yith a very much inferior position,1 did not j Ike that iny name whibh had previously stood to well in the city should be degraded; so T? 1 rupted his wife. "It sounds so awe?eolik< a swinger. Dpn'tsay you -took Another name.'' "I did ndt/^&teweftd' Johnson' "but in was formerly known as Hamilton Johnson, JSso., became; when forced to ftooe^t -ttePsituation of clerk and meesgqige^at a poor thirtyshilling salary? plain Mr. Hamilton. 6<vmy deir girl, believe me when I tellybu that the one dole ifeastfn offfiydppo&ig voter ciflihs at my office in the city, was that I mid no office of my own for you to call at Mrs; Johnson; throw, herself linto <bcr husband's arms. We will not.enter into decile of what she said to him?tlup husband of here, who, whjle shfe thought he had bfeeh deceiving her, had only planned, and "schemed; andplotted to save her from'anxiety or worry ; tf what she thought of him, or how she implored forgiveness for her doubts- . .; : But how did it happen, poqaihly therea^ may inquire, that Mrs. Johnoon Had not foupd out the office of the company'tn wKoBe servfe Johnson held this fluborcmatft position ' Good reader, please remember Christmas is not. .only a great homo festival; it; as afep one of the fecal Quarter days. . The neat Buoar bane ancl, glasses Company, $ipite4) nqt finding th?ir shares go off withi'thh rapj<jtty that had been anticipated, had gTveti up* the jxpensive offices they had hitherto occupied. This company's name it was. that had. jait been obliterated, by. ,tbe smudge of a whitey brown paipt, that. Mrs, Johnson had observed the previous day on "the first flpor of Ho. 56. 'And now, once more, a cab dmwBUp At Johnson's" door, and again therefrom aligfltsra female. Mrs* Johnson, peeping over tkoBttnd is utterly, bewiidered as .she recognises in the new arrival, the other Mrs.. Johnson. r.. .(The foxy looking clerk had executed hip commission thoroughly, and /had dbggecf'the steps of our Mrs. 'JohnSOri to herTiomeiJ ' < { ' Hhe weftt;Herself doOT to adrijifc'-the other Mrs.- Johnson. 1 .> & r! * vi ,v?, -?->: ,?? i; "So, madam#" sai^.thegBraeoua.otie,-^I am glad to see ypn ju youfown home^, I confess 1'was somewhat, curious to learn where and what'your home' might1''be,*' And .after' the very affectionate intereetyob efj^fhseed yfesttfcday iirmy husb&ndj' commorrcmlity demanded that I should return your oalL > Tarn here, as you perceive." .. . . H1^ ,/;< .: "j^Iadam," replied Johnson, ipterppaiag, "through a sfrange series of ftistakqs, my wife fresterda^ called at yolir haSb'aifd V office, 'believing it to be mine. I hope yoairill forgive her."1- ./ri'ttl'.j.v- -J i-f "... ( .?*' ,: The appearapaeon the scene of aJabaaofi who was not her Johnson, somewhat staggered the preconceived opinions of the goirgeous one. She instituted all sorts?of inqvkies into the minutot details ;of .the circumstances vfcicl: Had'lea to the. error f and., peine at'kagtj thproughryconyinced thpfc^er jealbusy#?$ any rate .in this/ quarter:, was- as groui^dleep<^s.14l was ridiculous, it became her. tyJn. now to adi foioveh^s,'' ' ,'.j/.. ' V-I She was' assured that she was thorohghh AEL J.-. --- L.TJk'vl*J iprgiveu-^xnai uu uuc ueiuum aiutnctcuM^ xyi the circumstances thai had occurred.' . , t "But' would the lady she had so wrongfullj suspected do her the rtea fflyor of accoinpa nying her home? Bne had a terrible peen< that morning with her husband; anii thotjjfcl she had no tight to abk sucn a boon, mignl she hope that tlve ftdy would cbme with nei to be a witness of her penitence? jifsht might, after her conduct yesterday, suggeej such a thing, dared she hopeMr. Jbhnabn, tob, and the lady to whom ehefittl'hotliaar'fhlj honor of an' introduction, would dine With them that day ?" ' ' '** ' The fctdy to whom the gorgeous one had hoi been introduced,-an#>who we need' not raeh was-our 'Mrs: Johnson^mother.'dedared Htc berher convictioH thttt as the absurd condocl Of the other Mr& Johnson had been the cfMR of their having no Christmas dinner read) there, the very best thing they could 4ow*s to accept the invitation. (Our Mrs. Jobaftaft mamma had always been noted for shrewd common f^risfc.) 5j1-i > 3?" **' *'*8 So after considerable discussion it Was-deci tied that the Whole party should -proceed c dine at the house of- cdd- Johnson, the bilbdit counter. * 'v.- <. a-**' -^S^tc The party was duly introduced by .the riue tress of the house; aatbail the popfexiugtir cuinstances of the iday before; haviog heec thoroughly explained, the two Johnsons aar their two wives spent a .merry Christmas. n+ j ; Old Jobnson, the bJWisnouate^ .indeed spite of hisreputation:aeahaBC^gTaspin^|?af in business turned out to be 9 trump,m Mb own house. 'Hearing of the bumble positiof ijS'.newly-made ^oaapellet to occupy down m; -tb^qity, he,.declared hi hii|. p^n in^ienee ? get him %cop?idprably better eng*gwa$nt 11 . ,.?be bid-discounting Johnsonwasasgopdfu bis waisLand both found reason "to blese 'tlw aayt.they'had been' brought together.', sweet*, sinjple domesticity of' fhe .good, Iittli woman whom we have from, the' first olainjec as'^jjre," 'hiid a magicaHnfluence m banish in^'tHe rldiQuIous doubts and jealousies ofbej friend, and altogether in bringing to a mori filthy", rational frame of rtnnd'^Vo'thei Mrs. Johnson" ' V ' i -X - ' iJ ->Jix THELi;iJiWEDHoa.TT"Y.uba Dam/'.-ogrjres pondent of the Louisville Courier, says of h[f interviews,with the learned.pig: ., u / '. '.'My attempt to pry into the private affairs of the learned pig were not as successful J could have wished. -He told me, however, thai after he had Completed his travels bo ittdndec to .settle down ;and; practice a ptofessnni.Med icioe had its attractions, but -the medical oock of the Louisville - .-doctors would prevent.-hi becoming famous,- ' whilewmdd notprptOf him fri>m. being srimpatired as a itoot Jocto* I suggested "journalism." He smiled ^niad mittedthat the pen had.beeQafarorite imple ment in his family ;.$>ut>? said he, modern press-has attained suck a high standard oi literary excellence that I do notthink ar hoc could m'iich-intpfove it." What he desired mosfardently War the advancement and impro.venferit'or His racc, socially-^pd politically. He was ior nog sunr>ge. w cu vy cvv uuv clay when all races would be.j?dged.by their nrerits,and not.by nationalities^'^:: > * ? j. Giyc YpuH ChilduA ?^i|L~A child beginning to-read becomes delighted with anewapaper, because breads the boms of persons anything?! wfc^1lw?Wty ftiMr and will make J^gr^Bat^cordin^rT. substantial information. is connected witli'advancement The mothec of a femily, being one of the beads, and having more immediate charge of children, ghould herself be instructed. A .occupied hec<?wes, {(^ibed organist an e^ergencyl .(Children, wnhsed by mlm or'atiidying, are of couraeinorenonsifiejateand more easily governed. v How in^py parents who hay^'not spent t$j?ty dot I are for books for th^ir ihmilies y;ould have given hundreds to reclaim a son or daughter nrhoTiad ignorantly or thoughtlessly f^Heninto temptation. ; 8lj!ll ^ ^ IS .! by keixnmge, the junpe ot tke Jmmt Btiu* of the-West .-She lived* in - the interior-* of Missouri?a. little, pretty, - black-eyed girl, wkbw-sodl' as huge as a mountain, and a form as frail ta'ir&Iry's, and'thecourage and^jphick of-a jbnccan^inbrother, just'growing fronJ-iboybood't?' WutLhood, butt sickly and lamgd. . ^he Ikraily had lived in Ksnaas during the. ttonWes or -57, when Norah was a mere girl of- fourteen, or thereabouts.' But oven thearhor beauty, wit add devil-may-care "spirit were known fat and wide; and many atones were t?H dtong the hhriter nf her Mtvitani ftrw? ' At^Dtrfd^1 Amonc 1 other; charges laicf Itdoor, It id kid; thatt . she Broke all the hearts or the young bloods ; jfi*r.#ad wide, and tradition. does even go so i fura* io assert tW, lifceBobAcwe/ she .killed 1 a man once a voek^kaeping.?fritate chtirch. Jard for the paeptwb^ decently bwymg her ' dead. Be this as it may, she was thetf^tnVl is now, a daahingv fine-lootang, lively girl, and a r Wettierbtfoffitf fchaii wift be fpuiia in * Txktel, I ad will be seen jf the good naCu'red reader has a inroddhh eloee ofdhft'sketcbL Not long after,' the Federals eame into her neighborhood, and after they had forced her fathjwto take the -oath, whKhh?. dtdpeaty heoattiehfi was a ve,yold?en, unatoa-totafee the field, and hoped -thtrebfto' save the- de. curitr of hirhousehold, and-^rtly because he i eouldnotheiphims^f? not long after fiiese two ' ' imtoort^nt-ereWh 'lu ife^ hisloiy of dtiHWroW, kbody bf tariff marched"-up1 <rts$ effing, whilst arrested ^her .aiokl^ m brother* .hearing him qffy to J&vwww&.-Ckj,, whasax|ie J4-as lodged in the milUwy gwwd-houee*. : * -It eras: very date hefora- Neeah sketched tone. 'When she did so, a?d;(fisctnrered-the outrage wM8ir.J?ffb&M ^rpeflrsted iotoHlte gnfef bf ^ <iU;;|a^er;, her ragfe Knew ho bounds.' Although the mists were/felling , the night was cjoeingin, dark and d^ry, she iorderad her .h^'toJbe/w^ei.Fdh^-A fhick sMr^, belted w-.sash round- her- waist, i Sad stickieg>>a;Mte?dfv/iv<Hy hantied, pistols * inv her boeo?r wasted* eff after <the Mtjtiea. The poit Was-fnaify:tm% ^ I > lftfffc the fidl of a senLTv bronjrfit her to a stand. ^ . -tw ii- ,-tf I * ?l<No- J^/,6^ rep>ied,.<'I -wish to see *3*riitee, yottf comfiiandirid 'Officer1; ahd j -'i>j|j|j|ly tf1 !t !?-. -?*? :f~tP.*?i i-4 to 'die qnartrtoof the Golctael eoMmandtog, r< 1rfth%fcWth?*w?s kft'alooe. "TOflWl?am," saM dte Pede?al $#cer mtiTdltfand politeness, *Thwhat do lowe^he honor or this 'mtr, V- ... . vaIs^thia.Gol. PrinceE" relied the brave > giri, quiedy.. - :'is ... f; r 1 "It is, and yon are?"m . * . t. "No matter. I have come-here to* inquire ' whethet-yoqhave a lad by the name of Mc^^ttfjr^pnaim&rr ' ,cr' > ' "There ?s such a tdfroher." ' " /' ': 1 ahla oonaectiou with Jh& enemy." Sbeaxmabk connection with the enemy! ^ Why die- boy is sick ahd; IBe folse* IWte is?brother; arid I hate* cotkf ip' h^k hte h immediate jelease." . L ' """ 1 '"/.The otfKer" opehed hi/reVee; 'mrij he * e^nld ndt cojnjily with, fee request .pf. so nrin11 ifegj^upptocanf ^feijuust Ideally beg ?er 1 MRhI And leave fee fortrea." . J? ' ? ('I demand fchtreteflte ^criedahe, isr repjy. ' "That yo^eirtiiiutx have. Theboy is a ^Ifiel fed'a traitor, fed tofefe^ou ; ;! $&#" , jpUapiC^Qn. ^^ : , ^ ? ? p. * - All*'' '.**' Vu> "Suspicion! I;ftm a rebel and a tiffed toq, ifjou wife ;youa&JgoC*!fey k^fcrcfeer, ' and Idonitieavefe* > teuton til hegeea frith * me. *! Order his iadtaot Tefcasa^r?'' hert siie f ttrewoneef the fe^esaid lyery bandies fensf ? herbbeom fed leveled fee * wlU. TO^^Siy.to 1 ywr.-relief.'},,*^ nv4*?l ?v iv?i .-w'ftii nC* *fl 1 l LA -picture ibat l it ?i <gut? > -lAhfeti vi J l^Thwr stood -feehwdw giii;ew flushing * flre/ebeek ghsWrng1 vdfe earfept wriVlij* fb-m3 ly set wife resolution, and band 'bbtrgtretehed i hfttr^aloaded pfetoTreadyto'^d'^hejoon1 fentiferoulfefee^ sfetf&V agb'asfc, soldier, >^rh<x . cowera^'^e * paper before fbunesyofeer Wv.jfemiag:*tase. 5 ,? "Quick I" fee repeated^ .."Order . nisc re3 lease^ oir you die^H^^ +?V* boo* ?h 3 *' It wts toe much.' 'Prince ieonld notstfed I 1? flpbade b&tow^lle#-' infernal we&>5n ' fot Gcnrfi Sakfe, arid tbebqy; feoujd 3 - .7i<3tve fe'ktfier "fc,*' efe Wd, umiefeSL r ,i And the order was given;-fee*lad <Was broUghlMmt; and drawing his amw 'bets, . fee gallant-fetor walked <wt ef feft place, i with-oue>hand grasping -one of bis, aaa the other holding her trusty ivory handle. She t Edountedler horse,-bade Tuin' get nfc behmd ? dent before midnight. .w t ?..Kow that w stranger than fiction, . which, ihown. what tort of iwkai-iaia otir wo5 man ?f -4he uoohHrimfed and tmdticed ?me1terttfc'tenitaryrT^?^ Jackets. ' * .< i\".y.-?? ? ?. ?tis?<JA AirO^JCASkoyAt !$UNK 1 the New YoXWoMfclgd $fjr . ifc-cost of. nn>occa?onal,-ftpfe "Onoe in4 white a pensive jnpn may , be f heard.- to any, X iqA } htd.eil QmJ?<?MBy back . that I ixave'fipent for. drink* ?a^theipast ten ; y^/^N?.-eoe^f?^retrqexpeusiwe liquon q[uite^ th <fuertion,tet mseeuiittw pbis cocktafl&or moderate imttbef OfeWP ty&, m likely to dfihnrt*Whis ; |g8$e$3l^E^SS i fif he dricti eveiy day, one glass^j^Se at ! fen cea ts, and four glassee- of whiskey at fif< teen. That amounts taewteitjo. Gents a day which makes fbwr dollars and-ninety cents a week. ; MtfflSpIv by'fciv,.add Yeiu hA^e 60 a month, which "rttiheSto $52520' A yeiif. Thus, if the man. who liad catribd oh'at this fdMm p ?hL only a.small beer calculatifaqtf hot think of those who spend fire times fhjlHili iiii Uquo?, and remerab^i tint/ their 1V< i - " * {' t1 : ' .nivif.'t "WTirrKii"-?i in Tiiiijr babheiors-7-the^ seem averse to squandering eveti the affections.