The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-05-23

AAi o ouuAO dio+tplJCoi0N w Niol VIZ
tray just as the horn and the rattling
wheels were distinctly heard nearing
the terrace. | put on my hat me-
chanically, and went down stairs
-vexed with the abrupt termination
to her recital. AS l rode along, the
thought struck me that the whole
affair was trick, and that Mrs.
Pottle wanted to bind me to the spot,
or make me interested in her house,
or inveigled in some foolih love af
fair. This decided me to take notice
of her attempts at conversation for
the future, and not even to permit
her to finish the story begun in the
morning.
just then the omnibus stopped,
and an old maiden lady, whom 1 had
known through her acquaintance
with a much respected aunt of mine,
similarly circumstsnced as to age
and matrimony, entered it. l po-
litely handed her to a seat for my
aunt,s sake, and commenced q con-
versation, which I strove to render
interesting, though my mind was
certainly very absent that day so
absent that in one Of the pauses of
our discourse, I incautiously drew
out my pocket handkerchief to wipe
my forehead, and with it-horror Of
horrors the little bronze -colored
slipper, with it's blue rosette l
shook it hastily from my lap into
the straw beneath, but the old lady
had seen it, and felt aghast and I
remembered that the story Of that
little slipper for the left foot of my
pretty Cinderella would probably
cost me $4,000 of my very discreet
aunt S money.
Should / throw myself on the old
lady's mercy at once-in the omni-
bus-by confessing the truth ? But
would she be likely to believe me if
I did ? [ thought not I should
only have falsehood added to the
black list already prepared, doub-
ted not, for presentation to my aunt.
| knew the old lady would not 90
as far as did for she had already
told me her destination, so [ kept
my own foot on one edge of the lit
tie slipper determined to pick it up
again, spite Of all, at the first oppor-
| tunity.
Il think you dropped something
sir" said my aunt's friend, coldly.
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 mend
ed.''
The young lady! What young
lady? All ! if could only find this
Cinderella! Deeply mortified, said
no more; and the old lady soon left
me- Iwent in to the office, carrying
my handkerchiefin different pocket
that l might not draw out the slip.
per with it, and sat down to my writ
ing but my head was confused, and
that little bronze slipper danced over
the page, over every line of my led
ger, in each leaf of the memorandum
book. eff things go on like this"
| exclaimed mentally, II shall grow
mad about this slipper. I almost
wish / had never seen it -
just then one of the partners came
into the office. 'Haley," he said,
''did you pick up an account, writ
ten on slip of paper, of an order to
| lo 20, H,,,llc -
Il did sir, and put it in my pocket.
book, as thought you had most
likely dropped it."
''Thank you, Haley. Just like
you I admire fellow that has his
wits about him.
I put my hand in for the pocket
book, and forgot all about the slip
per for 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 I slipped the elastic off the
book, and then the slippers fell out
on the floor. All this happened
much more quickly than have writ
ten it, but 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 young man
should not carry such things in his
pocket; at least should not allow
other people to see them
/ I looked up astonlshed at Mr. Ar
mold, second partner in the firm, was
fifty years Of age, and a bachelor.
What did he know about such
things?
Il think could explain to your
satisfaction, sir, that this is an acci-
dent, if you had time. and really in
wolves nothing at all wrong"
Il quite believe you, Haley; but
every one won't be so merciful."
Mr.. Arnold went out and closed
the door. I never thought, never
guessed before, what elaborate Cir
cumstances might depend upon a
slipper; but when / got home !
locked it away, determined to bring
no more annoyance upon myself by
keeping it so close at hand.
l had invited one, two or three
young men a few days after to have
a pull on the river, and then to sup
, with me.
After pleasant hour and hall
r we came back, hungry and exhiler.
ated. [ conducted my friends to my
3 rooms and whilst we chatted, Mrs
r Pottle brought in supper. A dis
; cussion arose about a lecture of Rus
: kin's, and his opinion about GER
, tain picture of Turner's. II can tel
Y you exactly what he said," / exclaim
! led, pulling out my keys and opening
) desk, 'sfof 1 copied the paragraph
S into a note book
turned down the lid, and there
u in the sight of my three friends
huOt OnlV the note hook. hut the lit