A DOMESTIC CATASTROPHE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4511, 4 September 1875, Page 3

A DOMESTIC CATASTROPHE.

Mr. Cobleigh had just got down to breakfast. He was standing up to the stove with his hands clasped behind him, as is his custom, contemplating the attractively-set table. A large platter of broiled ham, with fried eggs, was the central feature—and Mr. Cobleigh is very fond of ham and eggs. The family cat was lying under the table purring softly to herself. It was a strongly-marked domestic scene, and Mr. Cobleigh felt his eyes moisten as he surveyed it. Mrs. Cobleigh was taking up the potatoes. She had the last one pierced with ihe fork, and was about to deposit it with the rest, when she espied the upturned palm of her husband's hand. What possessed her she cannot tell, but she dropped the steaming vegetable straight into his unconscious hand. He didn’t ask her what she was doing; he didn’t even look around. He simply emitted an awful scream, and sprang madly into the air. On the descent he struck the table with his knees with such force as to completely overturn it, and with the contents he went down to the floor with an awful crash. A pound’s worth of crockery was smashed, and a carpet, coat, and pair of pants were ruined by ham, gravy, and butter. It is probable Mr. Cobleigh would have fainted dead away from the effects of the shock, had not the cat, across whose erected back he fell, as he was darting from the awful calamity, turned around and fastened both claws and teeth into his leg with deadly ferocity. This revived 1 him. The house is now shut up. Mrs. Cobleigh is visiting her mother in Margate, and Mr. Cobleigh has taken a jaunt to Brighton on business. We understand she thinks Mr. Cobleigh to blame in the matter, for, she properly reasons, had he not jumped so there would have been no damage done.