Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1865-04-05

! vulgar herd. IL T. Is at liberty to break
off the engagement. viii Arabella grieve7
{ Break hair-mark me, single hair
from off the lions name, and ask the
royal monarch of the jungle if he feels it.
! The day is near at hand that will be big
with the events of Cato and of Rome
ARABELLA ALMA"
Horace read over this extraordinary
composition with intense gravity. Any
| indignation at Arabella's heartlessness he
might have previously felt was now merg-
ed into feeling of pity.
| 1t was painfully evident to him that
| she was touched-wrong in the head !;
and after little reflection he came to the
conclusion that the best thing he could
/ do, under the circumstances, would be to
call upon her father and inform thdt gen
, tleman Of the distressing state Of his
daughters mind.
Mr.. Alma was quiet, undemonstra-
| tive man, proud of his common sense, and
anxious that those about him should pos
sess the same attribute. Young Poppy
ton was bit of a favorite of his, princi
pally because, in common with himself he
thoroughly detested pathos. A shrewd
man of business, had been MIR. Alma,
and although he had now disposed of his
business, he still retained his shrewd-
ness.
- Well, Pop, my boy, what's up e. ex-
claimed Mr.. Alma, when Horace, with
very long face and Il trembling hand,
which held, with tenacious clutch Ara
bella's letter, made his appearance.
I've called, sir, about ArArabella," !"
said Horace, piteously.
.Arabeila - said Mr. Alma, pleasant
ly; "she's just left for the country gone
TO see some friends in Kent
:. For the benefit Of her health ?" asked
Horace.
''Not professcdly,'' replied Mr.. Alma,
- although | think the change will do her
some good. l don't fancy she has been
quite tic thing lately. Do you know
what's been the matter with her? Low
crs are privileged creatures, eli :"
g. Don't know, I'm sure, sir, unless
But there. to be candid with you, sir,
have a suspicion that she's not quite right
in her head" said Horace.
"Arabella not right in her head p ex
claimed Mr.. Alma "that's good Ha!
ha. Why, she's no more Ead than
hair dresscr's dummy; but, stay, now |
think, Poppy, sit down, and let me hear
what you have got to say"
Horace told him what he had seen
lover the water" and then placed Ara
bella's letter in the hands of her father.
The old gentleman read the eccentric
production with a perplexcd air, and re-
turned it TO Horace.
"It is strange, my boy" said he, L
thought the other day the girl seemed
fiishty, but then L attributed it all TO an
overflow of 'gush' and animal spirits. Le-
monadish stuff, that 'gush. -
Horace remained silent. Presently
servant entered with a newspaper, just
delivered by the post.
Country newspaper, and from Ara
bella. too!" exclaimed Mr. Alma, Unfold
ing the sheet; "and bless me, Poppy,
what's this =? How duced odd -
Here the speaker paused TO peruse the
paragraph, the heading of which had at
tracted his attention.
"There," said he, ''read that Pop"
MIR. Alma handed the paper to Hor-
ace. who read as follows:
AMATEUR THEATRICAIs,-We per-
ceive by an advertisement in another
portion of our Journal, that the young
LADY, who is to enact the difficult role of
Juiiana in the Honeymoon at the forth
coming amateur performance in aid of the
volunteer funds, will on that occasion
make her first appearance on any stage.
We wish Miss Arabelia Alma every sue
cess"
THAT'S pleasant for father to read,
remarked Mr.. Alma, drily.
THAT accounts for good deal, said
Horace. " but it doesn't explain the 'over
the water business" he added mentally.
"Why, Pop, this is the night OF the
performance." continued Mr.. Alma, re-
lerring to the newspaper. Greendale
is only half an hours ride on the North
Kent line Run down there this even
ing, my boy, keep yourself dark, see the
performance, and"
d" What? asked Horace, perceiving a
rocush twinkle in the eye of Arabella's
father.
"Write the critique for the local paper,
and cut up Juliana,' replied MIR: Alma.
..That'll cure Arabella of her passion for
the stage, I'll wager a pound or, at all
events, punish the sly puss for her secrecy" ."
After little further consultation, Mr..
.ilma's scheme WAS agreed upon. and in