Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-12-22


ration of a dime; and returned to my apartment,
feeling that had resented the insult in the most
digniied manner.
! Five minutes had scarcely elapsed before Gam.
boge burst into my presence in his usual uucere-
monious manner.
Have they come ?'' he asked.
What ?" l replied, shortly
/ ca The clothes. They should have been here
before now. You see, old boy, | had run of
luck to-day-s0ld picture so thought would
get the clothes You needn't grumble and look
proud | only intend to lend you the amount
until Miss Follett pays for the picture she has
taken.
"Gamboge p cried I, starting up aud tearing
my hair, 1" am the most consummate fool alive |!
| thought she sent them and I've just sent them
back again 10y boy"
Z" "Ha! ha ha - roared my companion, " sent
Miss Follett suit of mems clothes. o ho!
but won't she be amazed very appropriate
and delicate present, upon my word, ha! ha !
no! no I"
"What'n do, Gamboge, If it ever gets out ?"
/ 4" O no they'll never get out-never! those
garments will not, unless it be upon the person
of her tall fOotman. You've lost good suit of
clothes, Umber--and made ridiculous goose Of
yourself"
"They have been gone but few minutes
Gamboge. The boy is little and am long, |
will overtake him. GU stay here until come
back"
| darted out, in my slippers, blouse, and an old
velvet cap, and hurried in the direction of Miss
Folett's. 1t was impossible to tell what partlc-
ular avenues and streets the boy would take to
reach her residence but if could only get
there ahead of him, could prevent his deliver
ing his bundle. But if had long legs, the mes
senger had II long start, and just as reached
Miss Follett's number | saw him giving the
package to the footmau lie passed me, AZ he
sprang down the steps, but did not recognize me,
,,sl,tp tltt,fr OH m tn "a
moment in the open door, looking down the
street; during that moment formed desperate
resolve; | darted up the steps, snatchcd the bun
die from his hand, and ran away with all my
might The footman was nearly rs large per
son as myself. He ran after me shouting
" Thefn at the top of his voice. A policeman
sprang from corner and colared me just rs the
footman laid his hand upon my arm They
dragged me back, struggling, to the hall the
gaslight was turned nearly oil, and Miss tollett
was coming down the stairs, dressed for the
Opera.
{" The bundle was mine ~ ] said, striving tC
shake Off the coarse hands which grappled me.
"What has the man been doing ~ asked Mis-
Follett, gently. She was not frightened, neithe
severe. A real rascal would have blessed he
for her forgiving manner.
"Turn on the light, John !" she said
| wished / were dead, or even buried alive
/ The man thought me desperate rascal, and he,
| me in vice
"It has my name and address upon ii hoy
| can ii be yours? ?"
She turned from inspecting the address to lool
at me. The gas burners were in full blaze
Mr.. TIMBER l''-she looked startled and angry.
"Open it, Miss Follett. If you think you need
the contents of that bundle more than |, you arc
| welcome TO them"
She opened the package and gave it but one
glance.
"There has been a mistake" she said to the
men. " Release him he is an acquaintance Of
mine. These things are evidently his"
They was given to me by boy, and they
had your name on, madam, if you please and
this chap came along and snatched 'em away"
said the footman, still glaring at me savagely,
though he released his hold. OIe called me
"chap" on account of my blouse, suppose)
"Never mind, John it is, doubtless, all II
mistake. You can go, sir, and thank you for
your trouble" to the policeman.
&c Miss Follett," | sad when the NJ 7. had de-
parted, and she stood, looking digniied and cold,
awaiting my exit, there has been another OF my
outrageous blunders They take to me, natural
ly. l cannot explain this one. shall never
disturb you with any more. Farewell forever
the last word was whispered to myself ~ |
went down the steps about as unhappy as an
idiot can be. had forgotten the clothes and
the footman threw them out alter me. AT the
foot Of the steps | met Gamboge.
60 What has Happened 70 he inquired, still sha-
king with laughter
'tGo in, and find out. / shall never be seen IN
these parts again.
\ ! broke from him and hurried home, where /
flung myself upon the bed in lit OF disgust and
despair. All was lost nothing won. Gamboge
would be ashamed Of me Miss tollett would
ridicule me- That coatthat wretched old coal
was the cause of all my misery. | seized the
offending garment and tore it in shreds. For
getlul of its three years Of faithful service, nm
grateful for past worth and worn-out good looks,
/ rent it in tatters. While busy with the work
of destruction, several pieces Of money dropped
out of some unknown corner, jngllng upon the
floor. | saw by the dim light Of my candle, that
they were gold end upon gathering them up,
found there was hundred dollars How did
they come in my coat? had no idea how and
was not going to make any more absurd suppo-
sitons. / would take the money more coolly
than had done the clothes. | put II Carefully
in my wallet and was 30 subdued by the act,
that could go patiently TO picainS up the rem
nants which lay about, and stultng them into the
little furnace aud this was the last OF my un-
fortunate, fortunate coat. went to bed, as stu
Did and sore, mentally, as If my mind had receiy
ed good thrashing.
The next morning regretted burning my coat;
for not only did it leave bad odOr Of burning
wOolen In my room but had conceived the idea
of rendering that long suffering garment as i'm
mortal as brushes and paint could make It,
However | had a good memory, and the coat
was indelibly stamped upon it, every darn, patch
seam. and grease-spot. | would take revenge
upon myself my fortune, my friend, aud Miss
Follett, by painting picture.
l went Immediately about my work. About
eleven o'clock Gamboge came to my door, and
knocked loud and long. The key was turned,
and | said nothing So supposing me to be out,
he went away, mattering to himself through the
hall | did not want to see him nor any one.
For the present, the picture was my sole object.
When that should be finished, cared not what
came The future was blank at when LOOK
no plcasure in staring.
With feverish rapdity I ske :ched the mann
features of my painting upon background al
ready prepared. My subject was my oSn garret
that poor, plain room, with all lis miserable
accessories. Il ttc center, under the skyllght,