Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-18

abundant crinoline nearly extinguished me-
| was devoting the energy of my nature to
the one object of reducing myself to the
least possible compass, and vas congratu-
lating myself on never having felt quite SO
small before, when, unfortunately missing
a step, only saved myself from diving
headlong into that sea of beauty by invol-
unfairly clapping my hand on the talma=
before me. At the same time I was con-
scious Of mysterious ENHANCEMENT of my
foot, and a Simultaneous noise of silk that
set all my teeth on edge for an hour after
wards. My fair supporter turned round
in wonder and astonishmcnt at my audaei-
ty, and gathered up her dress in stately
reserve, while I stammered out my apollo
gies as well as I could. But the titters
tina: greeted my ears on every side made
me endure agonies untold, until I escaped
from the press and vanished. Well, that
was bad enough; but my second reeontre
was twice as excruciating Yesterday af-
ternoon | was going out to dine with
friend at Brixton, and as I was somewhat
belated, / hailed an omnibus to save time.
The driver rolled his clumsy vehicle near
the pavement, and I began to ascend the
steps but before had reached the only
seat still vacant, the impudent blaskguard
whipped up the horses, thereby giving the
whole conveyance a sudden lurch to one
side. clutched convulsively at the strap
above: and as I found had lost my bal
ance beyond recovery, endeavored to steer
myself into the blessed little barbor men,
toned, without involving my neighbor in
my own distress. But with glance as
quick as Lightning Imeasured the distance
between the seat and my own awkward
carcass, and perceived it was impractical
BILE; with shuddering presentiment shot
a momentary look at the lady towards
whom / was helplessly gravitating, and
imagine my chagrin at recognizing the in
jured princess of the day before, Of course
it was only the infnitesimal fraction of
second that I hovered in mid air. but dur
ing that period modification ran riot in
my luckless breast the next instant fall
a little shriek-a roar of laugbter-and
I was picking myself up from the lady's
lap, and begging pardons enough to re-
prieve all the criminals in Christendom.
But my emotions were too much for ne;
I could not look the lady in the face, and
If CHANGED to turn my eyes towards any
one of the other passengers, an unmistaka-
BILE smile curled the corners of their mouth.
They were amusing themselves at my cost,
and [ could net resent it; so seizing the
first opportunity, when the crazy old thing
stopped to put down passenger, I made
my exit quickly as possible And now,
exclaimed the poor fellow, with comical,
yet lugubrious expression of the face, g I
am going tomorrow to hunt up this lovely
incognita, and return her handkerchief. -
If recontre number four is not better than
the others, I'll 60 swimming in a tank of
sulphuric acid" .
''sol would, " returned the sympathizing
Harry. !" I'll fish for your body after
wards and bait my hook with Celia's hand
kerchief; dead or alive, you will snap at
it. But if you return the dainty article,
tie your heart up in it, and label the par
eel, 8 To the adorable Celia, for one is as
much her property as the ether"
&c You are an ungenerate pagan, Har-
ry,' replied the young man, reddening;
" If you had the sensibility of boiled
lobster, you would know that selfrespect
requires me to exculpate myself in her
eyes, and-and--" GHs
0, I understand . Interrupted Harry,
taking leave of his companion at the cor
ner Of street; " appreciate the delicacy
of your sentiments. But take my advice
be sure to eonciliate mamma, and don t for
get to send your humble obedient his
share of tho cake. Adieu, mon anli-uiire
I amour y
s' Confound the scamp, muttered Ralph,
balf-nettled and halfpleased at bis friends
raillery, some day viii be even with him.
But you might do worse, after all, Ralph
Barker; she's magnificent girl Pshaw
when man begins to be fool, there is
no stopping. I wish I had given back her
handkerchief at the tine; let me look at
it again."
With these words he produced the ar
ticle in question, and serutinized it thor
oughly; in one corner was written, in a
delicate, female hand, &c Isabelle Harton. y.
Having satisfied himself that be had read
the name accurately, he repeated it to
himself several times, and mentally resolv-
ed that he would see its beautiful owner
again before sunset.
The afternoon, accordingly, found him