frightened servant into the next kitchen for a
hammer and nails, actually nailed up the board, and locked the door on
the outside. So, there was I, on my wedding-night, in the light
kerseymere trousers, fancy waistcoat, and blue coat, that I had been
married in in the morning, in a back-kitchen chimney, the bottom of which
was nailed up, and the top of which had been formerly raised some fifteen
feet, to prevent the smoke from annoying the neighbours. And there,'
added Mr. Gabriel Parsons, as he passed the bottle, 'there I remained
till half-past seven the next morning, when the housemaid's sweetheart,
who was a carpenter, unshelled me. The old dog had nailed me up so
securely, that, to this very hour, I firmly believe that no one but a
carpenter could ever have got me out.'

'And what did Mrs. Parsons's father say, when he found you were married?'
inquired Watkins Tottle, who, although he never saw a joke, was not
satisfied until he heard a story to the very end.

'Why, the affair of the chimney so tickled his fancy, that he pardoned us
off-hand, and allowed us something to live on till he went the way of all
flesh. I spent the next night in his second-floor front, much more
comfortably than I had spent the preceding one; for, as you will probably
guess--'

'Please, sir, missis has made tea,' said a middle-aged female servant,
bobbing into the room.

'That's the very housemaid that figures in my story,' said Mr. Gabriel
Parsons. 'She went into Fanny's service when we were first married, and
has been with us ever since; but I don't think she has felt one atom of
respect for me since the morning she saw me released, when she went into
violent hysterics, to which she has been subject ever since. Now, shall
we join the ladies?'

'If you please,' said Mr. Watkins Tottle.

'By all means,' added the obsequious Mr. Timson; and the trio made for
the drawing-room accordingly.

Tea being concluded, and the toast and cups having been duly handed, and
occasionally upset, by Mr. Watkins Tottle, a rubber was proposed. They
cut for partners--Mr. and Mrs. Parsons; and Mr. Watkins Tottle and Miss
Lillerton. Mr. Timson having conscientious scruples on the subject of
card-playing, drank brandy-and-water, and kept up a running spar with Mr.
Watkins Tottle. The evening went off well; Mr. Watkins Tottle was in
high spirits, having some reason to be gratified with his reception by
Miss Lillerton; and before he left, a small p