The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-05-15
Volume 10.

pause for reflection, until full length mir
ror, standing by way of advertisement at the
door Of looking-glass and picture frame
store, suddenly showed mo to myself; young
gentleman got up in tho extreme Of fashion,
all but the head, which might have belonged
to Bowery loafer!
Good iates what villainous hat! it
would have made rowdy Of Lord Palmcrs
ton himself-rusty, battered, sccdy-l tho't
had committed that hat to the flames weeks
ago! Weston Thorn must have fshed it
from its obscurity and put it in provoking
convenience to my hand. All my own fault
of course it was; why hadn't l had the
common sense to know what was putting
on my head?
Il felt hurriedly in my pockcts-therc was
only just 'chango enough there to meet the
cxiscncies Of the day. No help for it-back
| must trot.
The sun had mounted high enough to
make the homeward walk no pleasant thing
to take in hurry. OF course, my trcm-
bling fingers selected the wrong key at first
and it was somo time before could turn
the wards so as to admit myself. However,
in walked at last, and opened tho wardrobe
with nervous haste. There hung the real
hat in provoking uCatncss-and it was no
small aggravation to my state of mind to
think could not blame Thorn for my own
carclessness. As I turned to go out, the
dresSing-glass displayed to me such an in
famed and perspirinS visago that moments
delay in cologuc-sprnkling was indispensa-
blc-and this completed, of started for the
second time on run.
What jerk gave Mr.. Trcvor's bell-I
wonder it had not come of IN my hand. The
scared servant answered the jingling sum-
mons as il she had expected no mildcr news
than that the house was on fire.
Miss Trevor, is she in?
mo, sir, she has gone to tho boat with
Mr.. Thorn
Il could have stamped with rage. The
boat left at eight precisely. glanced at
my watch, and saw that it wanted just three
minutes and seventeen seconds Of that hour
perhaps might yet be in time. rccollcct
little of that chase to the pier, save that it
was series of diving under horses heads,
skilful .dartinSs round Fat old ladies. and
abrading my ankles against boxes and bar
rcls.
HAS the boat gomez gaspcd, too breath
less for distinct speech as | approached tho
pier.
Don't know said hcartlcss stcvcdorc,
ciecting shower of tobacco juice from his
mouth, dye s'posc there aint but one boat
in the world?'
.If could but have been a magistrate,
with power to put that wretch into handcuts!
But there was the boat at last-surely she
was not moving yes, she was The plank
had Just been drawn on board-thc boat was
swinging away from the pier, amid ringing
bells and groanins ropes, and gushing steam.
Too late! Yet | would not despair
could surely spring over those few feet Of
hcaying, turbid water, and lcapcd forward
only. however, to find myself drawn back
by strong arms!
Don't bc crazy, Mister! said my friend
the stevc,lorc. DO you want to be drowned ?
Il didn't much caro- whether | was or not
at that moment-for had just caught sight
Of Western Thorn on the deck, waving his
handkerchief to me, with the blue ribbons OF
Fanpy's gypsy hat auttering at his side!
when they camc back, they were engaged
young people. To this day l cannot meet
Mrs. Judge Thorn without curious stirring
at my heart, although she, like myself is
old and grey. But she wasvcry, very pretty
then! And now. Master Harry concluded
my Uncle Simon, go and put on respecta-
bio beaver. and remember that your uncle's
whole destiny turned ON the pivot Of an Old
hat!'
followed my Uncle Simon's advice, secret
ly remembering Rocheioucauld's maxim, that
in the sorrows Of our best friends there is
something agreeable to us For if my un-
clio had worn the right hat and married Miss
Trevor, should not have Inherited his mon-
oy. Ii is q selfish world
rFJohn Van Buren, said in his speech at