The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 95,
September 1865, by Various

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Title: The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 95, September 1865

Author: Various

Release Date: May 26, 2010 [EBook #32546]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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THE

ATLANTIC MONTHLY.

_A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics._

VOL. XVI.--SEPTEMBER, 1865.--NO. XCV.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by TICKNOR AND
FIELDS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.

COUPON BONDS.

PART I.

On a certain mild March evening, A. D. 1864, the Ducklow kitchen had a
general air of waiting for somebody. Mrs. Ducklow sat knitting by the
light of a kerosene lamp, but paused ever and anon, neglecting her
stocking, and knitting her brows instead, with an aspect of anxious
listening. The old gray cat, coiled up on a cushion at her side, purring
in her sleep, purred and slept as if she knew perfectly well who was
coming soon to occupy that chair, and meant to make the most of it. The
old-fashioned clock, perched upon the high mantel-piece of the
low-studded room, ticked away lonesomely, as clocks only tick when
somebody is waited for who does not come. Even the tea-kettle on the
stove seemed to be in the secret, for it simmered and sang after the
manner of a wise old tea-kettle fully conscious of the importance of its
mission. The side-table, which was simply a leaf on hinges fixed in the
wall, and looked like an apron when it was down, giving to that side of
the kitchen a curious resemblance to Mrs. Ducklow, and rested on one arm
when it was up, in which position it reminded you more of Mr. Ducklow
leaning his chin on his hand,--the side-table was set with a single
plate, knife and fork, and cup and saucer, indicating that the person
waited for was expected to partake of refreshments.