The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-01-17
FRANK BURTON:
T'Re Story Of q 6'dpcg COEEUI
BY " NIX NAN

Well I declare, if here ism t an
other empty collar box y said Frank.
Burton one evening; "L believe that
chambermaid uscs them to build the
fire with. Now what am I to DO ? /
done believe I shall have time to send
for any more, for it's getting late but
] must have some, or can't see my
SUSIE Jane, and wouldn't miss seeing
her for all the collars in creation So
here goes and the sentence was finished
by the jerking OF bell. in answer to
which tow-hcaded urchin made his Gp-
pearance, and was dispatched for Il box
Of ''Gray's best. " with the incentive Of
u quarter if he would hurry.
Frank was clerk in commission
house with a good salary, and when he
chose to be he was fine, generous and
handsome young fellow as one would
meet in a days ride. Being rather OF a
romantic turn of mind he was passion
ately fond of yellow covered literature ;
and to lose himself in the mysteries Of
a good story was his delight; aud he
had even declared his intention Of writ
ing a stunning story himself when he
got time"
Here's yer collars, Mister Frank"
exclaimed tow-hcad. suddenly driving
into the room. Here's yer collars
size fourteen" And pocketin~ his
quarter, he made his exit as suddenly
as his appearance had been, to reveal in
the dreams of lasses candy which shat
stamp would buy.
Frank hastily threw off the lid, seized
one, placed his necli-tie between the
folds, and was about to button it on when
something on the inside caught lis eye.
Holding it nearer the light he saw trac
cd on the shining surface in delicate
female hand, Miss Maggie Poe, Boston,
Mass
Here was mystery-a lady's name
in a paper collar, evidently written by
herself, and for what purpose? These
were the thoughts that flashed through
Franks brain. Perhaps she was in trou.
BILE and a capjive-some unreq uitted
love-or cruel father; at any rare, he
determined to write to her-.to declare
himself the chanlpioH-hcr ayenger.
With this idea firmly fixed on his mind
he took out his memorandum book and
iottod down Miss Maggie Poe, Boston
Mass; ;" and laying the collars carefully
away in one corner OF the drawer for fu.
turo examination, he hurriedly proceed.
ed with his toilet for he had made al
engagement to take Miss SUSIE 10 the
opera that evening; and besides, his
chum, Ben. Fcnton, was to call at his
room and go with HIM to see Susie's sis,
ter Emma. he was expecting him cv-
cry moment; a light footstep on the
stairs and q merry voice singing a famil
lar air convinced him that somebody
about Ben's siza was coming, which con
viction was further strengthened by the
unceremonious opening of the door, anG
in stalked Ben, oxclaiming,--
"What, not ready yet? Here, I've
been ready this hour. What SLOW
coach you are, to be sure? But hurr,
up"
while Frank was hurrying himself
nearly to death. Ben very coolly sa
down, and picking up the memorandum
book saw written in it: "Address tounc
in collar; Miss Maggie Poe, Boston
/, Mass"
! This set him to thinking. Now yol
must know Ben was very fond Of cores
ponding with the young ladies', ana her,
thought he, is fine opportunity fo
commencing correspon dence. S,
while Franks back was turned, anl
without saying a word to him, he yer,
quietly transferred the add to
piece of paper, put it in his pocket, anC
by the time Frank was ready he made
up his mind that he would have a cor
respondent in Boston before u week.
4 few days after if you had examine,
the evening mail from New York t.
Boston, you might have seen two letter
therein addressed to Miss Maggie Poe
though in different handwritipgs. The
were the mental productions Of ou
friends Frank and Ben, both claiming t
have found the address on the collar
one of them declaring himself irien,
to all in distress, particularly to hand
some young ladies, and desiring to kno,
if he could be Of any service to her, an
signed "Hopo." The other desirin
correspondence, making all sorts prom
ises and protestations, friendship an
photographs included in the former an
sigued 'Tecumseh.' The answer to bot
were to be addressed to Station A., Ne,
York city
"Some letters for you at the oliic,
Mr. Smith," said the clegk Of the Bosto
Post office one morning to Bob Smitl
the greatest practical joker in town, an
| Cpna tor tbot distant ,alotiua of ,rnt,r,