The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-05-30

S"~sVuoAy VIC" Ouo NY tOSACt- u0AOAcECIilci
to wipe my forehead, and with it-horror OF
horrors the little bronze-colored slipper,
with its blue rosette shook it hastily from
| lap into the straw beneath, but the old lady
had seen it, and l felt aghast as 1 remember
| ed that the story of that little slipper for the
left foot of my pretty Cinderella would proba-
bly, cost me $1,000. of my very discreet aunt's
money.
| Should I throw myself on the old
lady's mercy at once,-in the omnibus,
by confessing the truth? But would
| she be likely to believe me if I did? I
| thought not. I should only have falsehood
added to the black list already prepared,
| doubted not, for presentation to my aunt. I
knew the old lady would not go as far as l
did, for she had already told me her destina-
ton; so kept my own foot on one edge of
the little slipper, determined to pick it up
again, spite of all, at the first opportunity.
81 think you dropped something SIR" said
| my aunts friend co,dly.
Nothing of consequence, / think, thank
| you" replied, in confusion.
| 81 should rather think it was of great con-
| sequence" she remarked, cruelty; "doubt-
less the young lady wants her slipper matched
| or mended."
The young lady! What young lady? Ali
| if l could only find this Cinderella! Deeply
mortified, said no more and the old lady
| soon left me. I went into the Office, carrying
my handkerchief in different pocket, that
| I might not draw out the slipper with it and
sat down to my writing; but my head was
| confused, and that little bronze slipper danced
over every page, over every line of my ledg-
er, in each leaf of the memorandum book -
eff things go on like this" / exclaimed,
mentally, shall grow mad about that slip
per. I almost wish had never seen it."
Just then Que of the partners came into the
Office. Haley" he said, " did you pick up
an account written on slip of paper, of an
order to be executed for Grylis? ?"
81 did, sir, and put it in my pocket-book. as
thought you had most likely dropped it."
"Thank you, Haley. just like you. ad
mire young fellow that has his wits about
him." l.,5t9o. -
l put my hand in for the pocket-book, and
forgot all about the slipper TOR moment in
my pleasure at my employers praise but it
had not forgotten me, and tumbled out. The
sandals, being entangled with the pocket
book, hung from my hand, as slipped the
elastic off the book, and then the slipper fell
upon the floor. All this happened much more
quickly than have written it, but a grave
frown rested on my employers face as hand
ed him the paper.
"Take care, Haley. Don't resent it if I
give you fatherly word of warning. 1t is
better a young man should not carry such
! things in his pocket; at least, should not al
low other people to see them"
/ looked up astonished. Mr.. Arnold, Sec
ond partner in the firm, was fifty years Of
age, and bachelor. What did he know
about such things?
81 think could explain to your satisfac-
ton, sir, that this is an accident, if you had
time and really involves nothing at all
wrong"
81 quite believe you, Haley; but every one
won't DE so merciful." lk
Mr.. arnold went out and closed the door.
l never thought,-never guessed before what
elaborate circumstances might depend upon
| a slipper but when got home locked it
away, determined to bring no more annoy
ance upon myself by keeping it too close az
hand. -.l.s
Ihad invited one, two or three young men
a few days afterwards to have pull on the
river, and then to sup with me.
After pleasant hour and a half we came
back hungry and exhilarated. 1 conducted
my friends to my room and, whilst we chat
ted, Mrs. Pottle brought in supper. A dis
cussion arose about. lecture of Ruskin g,
and his opinion of certain picture of Tur-
ner's. 81 can tell you exactly what he said, !"
exclaimed, pulling out my keys and opening
my desk, ''for I copied the paragraph into q
note book"
I turned down the lid, and there in the
sight of my three friends was-not only the
note book, but'the little left slipper for that
unknown, unseen foot.
"Is that Chinese specimen, Haley? I
hearo you'd bought one."
"What sly boy you are. Who is she,
Haley?"
"Brown, turned out with blue. Very tasty
indeed, should say"
"Meet me by moonlight alone"
"Who stole the slipper ?"
Need I say more. Mrs. Pottle walking
about the room, heard some of these remarks,
and gave me, I thought, look of malicious
triumph.
"Be merciful to fellow for once" I said
desperately, and keep the affair secret, till
I give you leave to split"
"When will that be ?" asked Harry Dawson.
"Give me month, Harry" 1Irss r.
"And you'll let US know in a month how it
goes on?"
eyes, if I know myself"
"Hsley hasn't cheek enough to carry on
courting," said Dawson. ''He hardly knows
what's what, or who's who, or when's when.
think, my boy, you'd better come to me for
drill in the art. I've had plenty of practice
and am up to nice little thing or two. I
should advise you to get the other foot, and
have pair of them"
ssYou're dredful nuisance, Dawson" said
Frank Jones. "Let the poor fellow rest in
peace now, and come away home it is get
ting late"
But I had no rest that night ; for continu-
ally that little slipper walked round my bed,
and over my chest, and on my forehead, and
round my bed again.
Next day thought Mrs. Pottle looked at
her spoons and furniture suspiciously, and ap-
peared ill at ease the day after that found
her hunting behind my sofa when came in
to breakfast, and ventured to say, care you
looking for anything, Mrs. Pottle ?"
'Well, no, sir, thank you, sir" she said
hesitatingly; and Immediately rent down
stairs for the coffe-pot.
When I returned home in the evening
there was young lady in the passage talking
to Mrs. Pottle: but l passed up without
III inv .I,at t,rn fho