WAS HE AFRAID?
THE trouble with the Danbury water-pipes in the past few days, although of
a serious nature, has been productive of ludicrous incidents. One man on
Division Street had his kitchen flooded by the bursting of a pipe late Friday
night. Toward morning, he was taken with a sharp thirst; and getting up quietly,
so as not to disturb his wife, or any one who might be in the house after
plunder, he proceeded in the dark to the kitchen for a drink. That apartment
is a step or two below the sitting-room; and, in descending to it, he planted
one naked foot squarely in the water on the floor. With a promptness that
is remarkable, considering the severe shock to his nervous system, he bounded
back, and screamed, "Whoop! murder! let go of there, I tell ye!" Then a deep
silence followed. "What's the matter?" asked his wife, who was awakened by
his cry. There was no reply. "What's the matter?" he demanded in a louder
voice, missing him from the bed. But still there was no answer. Now thoroughly
frightened, she cried in a higher tone, "Reuben, Reuben! what is the
matter?" and a suppressed voice within six inches of her head suddenly hissed,
"Shut up your infernal clack, can't ye, ye old fool?" It is presumed Reuben
knew what was the matter.
