St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-05-31

chants offices, or something of thu
kind"
"Well, yes, sir; first and last, "
had some scores Of clerks and junic
partners but still, 'tisn't always so bu
there was one young man - nearly tn
first | ever had -
| did not exactly want a twenty year
list of dodgers, so | interrupted til
worthy soul by saying, & But who hav
you had lately who was the las
now, before | came?"
" \ courteous old couple, sir, as eve
you cast eyes on
"OId," ] gasped. Il"
Mrs. Pottle did not, suppose, motto
my agitation. but replied, Yes. sir, til
gentleman about seventy-tive, | shoul'
think, and the lady might be a year old
er or younger hot much difference he
tween them. But | beg your pardon -
that's your bus, SIR And Mrs. Pottl
disappeared with the tray just as th
horn and the rattling wheels Were dis
tlnctly heard, nearing the terrace pu
on my hat mechanically, and went dowl
stairs. vexed with the abrupt termination
to her recital. As | rode along tn,
thought struck me that the whole atfail
Was !. trick. and that Mrs. Pottle wante,
to bind NE TO the spot, or make he in
tcrested in her house, or inyciglled il
some foolish love affair This decided
me TO take no notice OF her attempts al
conversation for the future, and not even
to permit her to finish the story begun il
the morning,
just then the omnibus stopped, and
an old maiden lady, whom | had known
through her acquaintance with much
respected aunt of mine. similarly circum-
stanced as to age and matrimony, entered
it. politely handed her to Il seat tor
ny aunt's sake, ami commenced con-
verSatiOn which strove to render inter-
esting, though my mind was certainly
very absent that day so absent, that in
one OF the pauSes Of our discourse in
cautiously drew ont my pocket handker-
chief TO wipe my forehead. and with it
- horror ol horrors, - the little bronze
colored slipper, with its blue rosette.
shook il hastily from my lap into the
straw beneath, but the old lady had seen
ii, felt agha>t as | remembered that the
story of the little slipper for the left foot
OF my pretty Cinderella would probably
cost me 5000 OF my very discreet
aunt ; money.
Should l throw myself Oh the old Ia
dy's mercy at once in the omnibus -
by contessing the truth? But would
she be likely TO believe me if did?
thought not. should only have false
hood added to the blacklist already pre-
pared, | doubted not, for presentation TO
my aunt. knew the old lady would
not 90 so far as | did. for she had al
ready told me her destination: 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.
;" think you dropped something, sir, -
said my aunt's friend, coolly.
Nothing of consequence, | think,
thank you,'' replied in confusion.
Il should rather think it was OF great
consequence" she remarked, cruelty :;
"doubtless the young lady wants her
slipper matched or mended."
The young lady. What young lady :?
All. ii | could only find this Cinderella, !,
Deeply mortified, | said no more; and
the old lady soon left ME. | went into
the otiice, carrying my handkerchief in a
different pocket, that 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
the page of every line of my ledger, in
each Leaf OF my memorandum book. - Ii
things 90 on like this | exclaimed,
mentally, " | shall grow mad about that
slipper | almost wish had never seen
it,"
Just then one of the partners came in
to he office. "lIaley," said he, "did
YOU pick up an account written on slip
of paper. OF an order to be executed for
Grylls ,"
Il did, sir, and put it in my pocket
book, as thought you had most likely
dropped it,
Thank You, Haley. Just like you.
| admire young fellow that has his wits
about him"
put my hand in for the pocket-book,
and forgot all about the slipper for a
moment in my pleasure at my employ
er's praise but it had not forgotten me,
and tumbled out. The sandal. being en-
tangled with the pocket-book, hung
from my hand, as | slipped the elastic
Oft 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 | handed him the paper
Take care, Haley. Don't resent it
if give you fatherly word of warning.
1t Is better a young man should not carry
such things in his pocket; at least should
not allow other people to sec them"
| looked up astonished. Mr.. Arnold
second partner in the firm, was fifty
years of age, and a bachelor What did
he know about such things!
81 think ] could explain to your salts.
faction, sir, that this is an accident, il
you had time; and really involves moth.
ING at all wrong
Il quite believe you, Haley: but
every one won't be so merciful."
Mr.. Arnold went out and closed the
door. l never thought-neyer guessed
before what elaborate circumstance:
might depend upon slipper; but when
| got home | locked it away, determined
to bring no more annoyance upon my.
self by keeping it too close at hand,
l had invited one, two or three young
hen few days afterwards to have pul
on the river, and then to sup with me.
-