B. I am glad that you are not what you seemed. I was almost overcome by your vigorous salute, and your talk about pasturing cows in the parks, and so on; and I feared that you might introduce these topics as the subjects of your conversation at the party.
E. Fortunately no such mishap occurred, and since you prefer me in my present character, I will still retain it, trusting that you may never again have cause to be disturbed at the rusticity of your Country Cousin.
(Curtain falls.)
TAKING POISON.
CHARACTERS.
| Mr. Lewis Fisher, | A very Nervous Man. |
| Mrs. Susan Fisher, | His Wife. |
| Miss Helen Fisher, | His Sister. |
| Dr. Gibbs, | Physician. |
| Mary, | Servant. |
Scene.—Parlor at Mrs. Fisher’s. Mr. F. comes in, and sinks into a chair, R.
Mr. Fisher. How weak I am! I wonder what can be the matter? (Presses his hand first on one cheek, and then the other.) I think I’m a little feverish. (Coughs as if it pained him.) And then this cough; I’m sure my lungs must be affected. But then that’s no wonder, for most of our family died of consumption, and I dare say I shall go in the same way. (Petulantly.) I wonder where Susan is; she’s always gone when I want her. (Rings the bell; servant enters, L.) Mary, where is Mrs. Fisher?
Mary. She went an hour ago, sir. Your sister, Miss Helen, came for her to go shopping, and the two of them went out then.
Mr. F. (sighing, and leaning back in his chair). Did she say what time she would be back?