Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-04

taking 1t OH the nlgnt oelore. liiIust NY ii..iiu
into the pocket. Gracious me! What did
behold? what did take out "a gold chain
bracelet
You could have Drained me with my lady's
fan. saw at q glance how matters stood-ln
the excitement and furry of undoing the loop
from my button, the lady had undone the clasp
of her own bracelet, which had not unnaturally
fell into the coat-skrt with which she was en-
gagged, and doubtless on missing itinstead of re-
garding me in romantic light, she put it down
that was of the swell-mob, and had purposely
entangled myself in her dress to rob her OF her
jewelry.
Here was an anti-heroic position to find ones
self in, when | wished to be considered the most
devoted of knights, to be remembered only as
the most expert of pickpockets! Was ever an
honest lover in such plightl and to make it
worse, | could not see how was to escape from
this inevitable dilemma. must go down to the
grave, remembered only in that dear ones mind
as the nefarious purloiner of her bracelet. To
find her out was impossible; but a bright idea
struck me as my eye lighted on newspaper ly-
ing on the cofee-room table. rang the bell
and enquired of the waiter when the local paper
was published.
"To-morrow, sir" he answered. I sat down
and wrote an advertisement; it was in the fol
lowing words
''If the lady, whose dress got entanged in
gentleman's coat button, in leaving the concert
last Wednesday night, will call at or send to the
fremont Hotel, she will hear something to hel
advantage"
There, l thought, as 1 gave the advertisement
to the boy, and five shlings to pay for insertion
in the Traveller, there, if that will not give me
clue to escape from very unpleasant dilemma
and at the same time to know who my enchant
er is, the fates must indeed be very unpropi
tious
Ny plans being thus so far adopted, | ordered
dinner, and waited patiently, or rather llnpa
tiently, the appearance of the newspaper mex
morning 1t was brought up to my room damn
from the press, and then read in all the glory
large type, my interesting announcement. Bu
my stars with what an advertisement was /
followed in the very same column. only won
der that my hair did not stand on an end as
read rs follows:
$50 REwARD.-Lost or stolen, on the night o
the Concert, at the Hall, Gold Chain Bracelet
| 1t is thought to have been taken from the lady
arm by pickpocket,o of gentlemanly appearance
who wore blue coat with brass buttons, ant
kept near the lady on leaving the Hall.
ANY one giving such Information as will leat
to the recovery OF the bracelet, or the capture o
the thief Gf it was stolen) will receive the obov
reward on applying to No. z, Cambridge Place
CHAPTER THIRD.
Here was pretty plight-to be advertised II
the public papers as pickpocket when my on
" crime was, like Othellos, that of
Glowing, not wisely, but teo well"
Nv determination, however, was quickly q
dopted. l went up stairs, put on the very delln
ouent blue coat, so accurately described, and tn
paper in my hand, proceeded to No. Z, Cam
bridge Place.
knocked at the door, aud asked the servan
who answered, the name Of the family. Having
heard it, said-"Is Miss Raymond in?"
"Yes, SIR" replied the servant woman, "wh
shall | say wants her!"
"Tell her." replied, "that the pickpocket
with gentlemanly address, and blue coat witt
brass buttons, who stole her bracelet, is here
and wishes to return it to her."
The woman stared atme as though were mad
but on repeating my request to her, she went Il
and delivered my message.
Soon there came out, not my fair one,
with all that's best, of dark and bright,
Meeting in aspect and eye"
but o stalwart brother.
''That," said, handing him the bracelet, 81
Miss Raymond's property, and though, as yo
perceive, wear blue coat, with brass buttons
and aim flatterea TO think that my manners ar
not ungentlemanly, am bound in candor to sa
| am not pickpocket."
"Then, sir, you shall have the reward" sal
the brother, taking out his purse.
NO" replied "for, strange as it may appear
though | am no pickpocket, l stole the lady
bracelet"
The man looked puzzled; but when told tn
truth, and pointed to my advertisement IN tn
same paper, as proof that | did not want to wal
off with the property, he laughed heartily at tn
whole story. aud not the least at his sister
description of the gentlemanly pickpocket.
"Wel," he said, you had better walk in an
have tea with us, and my sister will be able t
say whether she can speak to your identity, ,atte
which it will be time enough to canvass the pro
priety of sending for constable"
You may be assured accepted the invitation
j Need 20 further with the story. The youn
ladv Ito use the words of the advertisement
captured the pickpocket. The bachelors but
ton no longer adorns my blue coat, and now
have framed and glazed over the fireplace tn
advertisement in which am publicly describe
by my own wife "as pickpocket with gentle
manly address" When charge her with tn
libel, she always does what she has just this INC
ment done, pay damages for the slander in an
amount of kisses, declaring, though not plcl
pocket, was thief, and stole her heart an
pocketed her bracelet.
So ends the story of "a BACHELORS But
TON"
MISCARRIAGE OF MAIL MATTER.-The resolu