Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-30

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command them without dissenting voice.
| But to return to our tea-t table. The loud ring
ling of the bell arrested the angry philippe, and
lin few moments servant entered, saying
"Lord Hampsteadshire is in the parlor, sir !"
"Hoora l' exclaimed Mr.. Dalton, his voice
diminishing into soft whisper. "Cheer up
Liz. There's live nobleman up stairs, to whom
Judge Snobson introduced me; and he's worth
jall the militia captains in the word-yes, and
bakers tool Hurry up stairs!" And the mil
lionaire, pulling up his collar went to greet his
Iguest
"Heighol" sighed Mrs. Dalton, 81 am SO sorry
that Charlie made that unlucky speech" Lizzie
said nothing, but looked the very impersonation
of despair as she repaired to the drawing room
"Lord Hampsteadshire, Mrs. Dalton-Mss
Dalton!" and his lordship, thus introduced, bow
led condescendingly, eyeing Lizzie through tor
toise shell quizzing glass. He was rather good
Hooking, with dark, melting physiognomy, and
hair of the most glossy jet. A profusion OF
iiewelry adorned his person, and several rings,
with large stones set off his stumpy looking 6n-
gers. In conversation lie was remarkably bril-
Iliant and the shrewd merchant listened with
Rapture to his account of court balls, pic mics at
Windsor Castle, shooting with Prince Albert,
and horseback rides with that most gracious OF
fmaiesties, Victoria Regina. Mrs. Dalton was
soon disgusted with the fellows babbling, and
wondered that her husband, once so famed for
lsound common sense, should endure such twad-
die. As for Lizzie, she busted herself in looking
at volume of engravngs that decked the cen
tire table, and paid little attention to conversa-
ltion evidently intended to dazzle her.
"By the way" ratified on his lordship, "a sin
Igular adventure happened to me this morning,
II was riding out, carrying whip given me by
the Duke of Wellington, when / overlook a
lcompany of your militia, and my horse, startled
lat the music, carried me right against the cap
tain He, the rascal, actually struck my courser
with his sword. Furious, demanded his card
and satisfaction. He gave it-that is the card
land what do you suppose was on it 2"
What, my lord 2" obsequiously inquired Mr.
dalton.
"Ha! ha Why, the fellow was a baker
Ship bread and biscuit read the card The
Ideal"
"Preposterous, my lord Do you remember
the scoundrels Names"
''Yes, Parker-Norton Parker. Are all your
lof6cers mechanics?"
mo, my lord That is, the military is low,
vulgar, aud good for nothing. How can it be
otherwise with such officersl"
lpeerage hold commissions in the yeomanry."
: And the valiant stranger launched into fabulous
accounts of wonderful reviews, in which he was
the hero. Mr.. Dalton drank in every word (;
but Door Lizzie, annoyed by his vain boasting
I and his insulting allusion to the object OF her
affection, longed for his departure. At last he
went, and Mr., Dalton, who escorted him to the
door, returned to the drawing room, rubbing his
: hands with glee.
, Here's husband for you, Liz! My Lady
Hampsteadshire, ha Don't look so glum, You
. rogue, for my lord has asked leave to call on
, you, and have given him latch key and a
welcome, There's bargain worth all the ba.
kers and the militia eaptainS in New York. ~
And the infatuated father, never needing the a.
! mazement and the disgust depicted on his daugh-
!, ters face, went up stairs, murmuring, MY Lady
/ Hampsteadshirel What will Judge Snobson
tsay2"
Mrs Dalton, who had shared her daughters
feeling, lost no time in sympathizing with her,
and hoping that some fortunate circumstance
would avert the threatened suit Poor Lizzie
bursting into food of tears, besought her moth
er not to see her sacrificed, and was 80 soothed
that when she retired she could again portray
her lover Norton, and Hope, bright Hope, whis-
pereG, "All's well! u
Yet all was not well in Mr.. Dalton's house
that night for, in the small witching hours, he
was awakened by some one ringing and knock
ing at the door. Hurrying down, he found the
front door open, and posse OF watchmen IN the
hall
whats the mattera" he inquired.
"Why,n answered the leader of the nocturnal
| guardians, "about an hour ago, / saw man
come into this door that thought was Liver
pool Tom,' a noted burglar. So went to the
corner and gave signal, which brought the rest
here. Soon wagon drove up, and out came
the man with large bundle; then he returned
into the house. We were lying quiet across the
way, but Just then the moon shone out, and the
driver of the wagon seeing us, put out at two
forty gait So we had nothing left but to come
| here for the bird, for we know we have him
Gagged"
Mr.. Dalton was at once in rage, and when,
on entering his drawing room, he found it par
| tally stripped of its valuable ornaments, he
vowed that the culprt should be hung, and gave
the watchman license to search high and low,
whilst he rushed around and lit the gas. Mrs.
Dalton and Lizzie soon came down in their
mornipg-wrappers, while Charlie was showing
all the -of.the-way hooks. All at once
scuffle was heard up stairs, and Charlie came
rushing down, exclaming;
'Theyve found him in the bath room, hid IN
the shower bath!"
"Bring him in here" shouted Mr.. Dalton but
what was his horror when the watchinan usher
ed in, well handcutfed, Lord Hampsteadshire
"It's Liverpool Tom,' sir, said the watch
man.
Exactly" remarked the burglar, "but old
Hunks here wont appear against me, Know
Just fancy what Snobson would say nave
you, my boy although renounee your dangh-
ter So good night once more" And with o
noble salute the distinguished foreigner left,
. closely escorted by the watchmen. Mr. Dalton,
as was his wont when defeated, began to whis-
tie "Hail Columbia" in an inharmonious and
, varied style, and making his violated domicle
fast, again retired to rest.
! At an early hour the next morning police
officer came with request for Mr.. Dalton to
visit the Mayors office. Thinking that it was
something connected with the prosecution OF his
rascally visitor he started before breakfast, and
!, walked down to the City Hail. The streets
were filled with mechanics on their way to their
) days toll, and he noticed small knots Of them,
| evidently much excited, at every place where
hand-bils were posted Of course he did not
mix with the plebians, although his curiosity
was somewhat excited, Entering the Mayors
room, that functionary received him cordially,
remarking that it was quite annoying, Mr.
Dalton !"
"Yes, your honor! But I don't choose to
take any STEP"
"But fear" said the Mayor, shat we cannot
answer for the consequences"
70, never mind" answered Mr.. Dalton, who
dreaded On exposure, 81 can stand it."
"But the power of the press" interposed the
} Mayor
T "a fig for the press" exclaimed Mr.. Dalton,
81 am able to pay my notes, and don't care
what the press says So let the matter co. and
set your officers at work elsewhere"
IINN IL -. IL. e