A SAD EXPERIENCE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2048, 16 September 1880, Page 3

A SAD EXPERIENCE.

A gentleman resident in this city was made the victim of a harrowing experience during the early part of the present week. Being of social and hospitable character, ha had invited a number of friends to dinner on a certain evening, and made preparations on a somewhat liberal seale ; in fact, he “did the thing,” as it is commonly termed, very elaborately. The night previous Mr Jollidog (let’s call him) went to bed in a capital humor. .Everything was arranged to his entire satisfaction, and he dreamt pleasant dreams of the little display he should make to expectant and admiring friends. But alas ! how true is it that our fondest hopes are often doomed to disappointment, and our highest aspirations fail to be realised. When Jollidog woke next morning, and went down to the matutinal repast, he was struck dumb with alarm on being informed by Mrs J. that the larder had been emptied of its precious contents—that, in fact, all the good things prepared for their little banquet had disappeared. Evidently some midnight marauder, with appetite sharp set, had come around and taken away those luxuries so dearly prized. It is needless to say that Jollidog was mad. Ho raved, and quickly a suspicion of his next dcor neighbour began to haunt his mind, and he hinted something to that effect over the fence. But this idea was quickly and openly rejected, owing to the manner of its reception by the neighbour in question, a mercurial virgin of fifty-four. It happens that Jollidog is a timid man where ladies are concerned, and ho was glad to allow the subject to drop. Further inquiries elicited no bettor result as to the missing viands, and the unfortunate man was in a very distressed state of mind. Evidently the invited guests could not be entertained, and some means must be devised of getting out of the difficulty in a respectable manner. After much thought, Jollidog hit on the happy expedient of having a death in the family at a distance. It was a good idea, as involving his instant departure. So Jollidog put up the shutters and sent notes to his friends, stating that he had proceeded on the melancholy errand of following the remains o his deceased relative to the grave.