The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-10
BIDDEFORD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 10, 1861

never would undo the loop, and indeed she
would not, for her fir gers were twitching
nervously, and my heart was beating audi
bly,; tried to help her; our fingers met,
"Pleaso to make way there" shouted q
gruff voice behind. We were blocking up
the passage; was there ever such an unlucky
spot for 50 lucky an ENHANCEMENT.
"You hinder the people from going out,
Annie," exclaimed one Of her companions
with some asperity "plague upon the tire
some loop, break 1t !" and suiting the action
to tho word, the speaker leaned forward.
caught the sleeve Of his beautiful friends
dress in one hand, and my coat tail in the
other, and giving u quick and decided tug.
severed us.
The crowd bore on, and we were separa-
ted not, however, before l gave my "star"
look which intended to speak volumes
| thought she did not seem unconscious Of
my meaning-our eyes met. knew, and this
was the only consolation left me, for imme.
diately afterwards l lost her and her party
to view in the darkness outside.
That night scarcely closed my eyes, think
ing of my "bright particular star" and
what means I should employ to find her out.
knew little Of the town, which was large
one, and to expect to know the name of my
lair one by mere description was hopeless !;
there doubtless must be great many with
dark eyes within "bills Of mortality" here
as elsewhere.
My love grew more and more violent in
the course Of the day; but tired out at length
with my search, returned to the hotel, and
took out my dress coat from my portman.
teau to feed my flame even with the contem-
plation of the inanimate business button
that had detained the "black-eyed divinity"
so long. II was with no little delight now
discovered what did not before catch my eye
"a fragment of the silk loop Of her dress
still adhered to the button twisted round the
shank. pressed It to my lips; 1t was lilac
in color-and | stopped to gently disentan-
gle it from the bit Of brass as though it were
tress of my loved ones hair, when some.
thing clinked in the skirt pocket. ! sup
posed had left some money there, for in my
perturbation and excitement ! omitted to
search the coat on taking II of the night
before. thrust my hand into the pocket.
Gracious me What did behold, what did
| take out "a gold chain and bracelet
You could have Drained me with my lady's
fan. saw at glance how matters stood {;
in 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 fallen into the coat skirt with
which she was engaged, and doubtless, on
missing it, instead of regarding me as 70.
mantle, she put me down us one of the swell
mob, who 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 remem-
bered only as the cxp'rtest OF pickpockets:
Was ever an honest lover in such plight ?
and TO make il worse, could not see how
| was to escape from this inevitable dilemma.
| must 60 down to the grave remembered
only in the dear ones heart as the nefarious
purloiner of her bracelet. To find her out
was impossible; but bright idea struck
me, as my eyes lighted on newspaper lying
ON the coffee-room table. sat down and
wrote an advertisement in the following
words:
"If the lady whose dress got gled in gen.
tleman's coat button, In leaving the concert last
Wednesday, will call at or send TO the fremont
Hotel, she will hear Of something to her advan-
tage."
There, I thought, as gave the advertise
ment 10 the boy, and five shillings to pay
for the insertion in the Traveller-there, IL
that will not give me clue to escape from
a very unpleasant dilemma, and at the same
time to know who my enchantress is, the
iates must indeed be very unpropitious.
Ny plans being 80 far adopted, l ordered
dinner, and waited patiently, or rather inn
patiently, the appearance of the newspapers
next morning. II was brought to my room
damp from the press, and | then read in oil
the glory Of large type, my interesting an.
nouncement-but, my stars with what an
advertisement was it followed in the very
same column. only wonder that my hair
did not stand on end, as l read as follows:
| c,a REWARD-Lost or stolen, on the night OF the
SZ Concert, at the Hall, Gold Chain Bracelet.
1t Is thought TO have been taken IRON the ladys
arm by pickpoeket Of gentlemany appesranee,
who wore a blue coat with brass buttons, and Kept
near the lady ON her leaving the hall. Any one
giving such information rs Will lead 10 the Iesos
cry Of the bracelet or the capture Of the thief Qf
1t was stolen will receive the above reward on ap-
plying at No. 7, Chambers Place.
Here was a pretty plight-to be advertiz-
ed in the public papers as pickpocket,
when my only crime was like othello's-
that of
"Loving not wisely-but too we'll"
NV determination, however, was quickly
adopted. went up stairs, put on the very
identical coat 50 accurately described, and
taking the paper in my hand, proceeded to
7 Chambers Place.
knocked at the door. and asked the ser.
want who answered, the name Of the family.
Having heard it, asked, Z" Is Miss Raymond
in ?'
"Yes, SIR, said the servant woman, "who
shall say wants her?'
"Tell her." l replied, that the pick.
pocket, with gentlemanly address, and
blue coat with brass buttons, who stole her
bacelet, is here, and wishes to return it
to her."
The woman stared at me Us though l was
mad, but on my repeating my request to her
she went and delivered my m sssage.
Soon appeared-not my fair one-but
stalwart brother.
That" said I, handing him the bracelet,
+" is Miss Raymond's property; and though
us YOU perceive, wear the blue coat with
brass buttons, and am hattered to think my
manners are not ungentlemanly. am bound
in candor to say am no plckpocket."
(" Then, sir, you shall have the reward"
said the brother, taking out his purse.
"No," | replied, for strange as It may ap-
pear, though l am no pickpocket, l stole the
lady's bracelet"
The men looked puzzled; but when / told
truth, and pointed to the advertisement in
the same paper, as a proof that did not
want the property he laughed heartily at
the whole story, and at his sisters descrip-
ton of the gcntlemanly pickpockct.
"Well. he said, "you had better walk
in and have tea with US, and my sister will
DO able 10 say whether she can speak rs to