Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-12-23

herrors the little bronze-colored slipper
with its blue rosette. | shook it hastily
from my lap into the straw beneath, but
the old lady had seen it, and felt aghast a,
!, | remembered that the story of that little
!, slipper for the left foot of.ny pretty Cinde
rella would probably cost me 5,OOOi. of my
very discreet aunt's money
Should l throw myself on the old lady
mercy at once, in the omnibus, by confess
ing the truth? But would she be likely tC
believe me if | did? | thought not.
) should only have falsehood added to the
black list already prepared. l doubted not
for presentation to my aunt. L knew the
old lady would not go as far as did, for she
had already 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.
Il think you dropped something, sir,
said my aunt's friend coldly.
" Nothing of consequence, l think, thank
you,' | replied, in confusion.
- I should rather think it was of great
consequence, she remarked, cruelty :
8 doubtless the young lady wants her slip
per matched or mended." p"
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. | went into the office
carrying my handkerchief in a different
pocket, that | mig not draw out the slip
per with it; and sat down to my writing
but my head was confused, and that little
bronze slipper danced over the page, over
every line Of my ledger in each leaf of the
memorandum book. - If things go on like
this" | exclaimed, mentally, " | shall grow
mad about that slipper. | almost wish had
never seen it.
- just then one of the partners came into
the office. 9 Haley he said g did you
pick up an account written on a slip of paper
of an order to be executed for Grylls -
. did, sir, and put it in my poeket-book.
as | thought you had most likely dropped
it."
THANK you, Haley. just like you.
admire a young fellow that has his wits
about him
put my hand in for the pocket-book, and
forgot all about the slipper for 4 moment
in my pleasure at my employers praise
but it had not forgotten me. and tnmbled
out. The sandals, being entangled with the
pocket-b book, hung from my hand, as slip
ped the elastic off the book, and then the
slipper fell upon the floor All this happened
much more quickly than l have written it,
but grave frown rested on my employer T
face as handed him the paper.
Take care. Haley. Don't resent it if
give NOu d IdlutEIN NOAO VI waning II -
better young man should not carry sucf
things in his pocket; at least. should not
allow other people to see them.
l looked up astonished. Mr.. Arnold
second partner in the firm, was fifty years o
age, and bachelor What did he know
about such things
. | think | could explain to your satisfac
ton, sir, that this is accident, if You hac
time and really involves nothing at al
wrong
"Iquite believe you. Haley; but every
one won't be so merciful.
Mr. Arnold went out and closed the door
| never thought 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 at
hand.
had invited one, two, or three young men
a few davs afterwards TO have a pull on the
river, and then to sup with me.
After a pleasant hour and half we came
back hungry and exhilarated | conducted
my friends to my room and, whilst we
chatted. Mrs Pottle brought in supper. A
discussion arose about lecture of Ruskin :,
and his opinion of certain picture of Tur-
ner's a can tell You exactly What he said
| exclaimed, pulling out my keys and open
ing my desk, = for | copied the paragraph
into u notebook.
: | turned down the lid. and there in the
sight of my three friends was-not only the
notebook, but the little left slipper for that
unknown. unseen foot. \ roar Of laughter
recalled me to my senses.
- Is that Chinese specimen, Haley?
heard you ID bought one
What a sly boy you are Who is she,
Haley?'
. Brown, turned out with blue Very
tasty indeed, l should say
. Meet me by moonlight alone
:" Who stole the slipper ?''
Need l say more. Mrs. Pottle,' walking
about the room, heard some of these remarks
and gave me, | thought, a look of malicious
triumph
Be merciful to a fellow for once, :" | said
| give you leave to split :
. When will that be - asked Harry Daw
son.
=. Give me a month, Harry
And you II let us know in a month how
it goes on -
. Yes, if know myself
Haley hasn't cheek enough to carry or
courting,' said Dawson. - He hardly
knows what's what, or who's who, or when I
when. l 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. | should advise you to get the Other
foot, and have pair of them
Your a dreadful nuisance, Dawson, >
said Frank Jones. 50 Let the poor fellow
rest in peace now, and come away home il
is getting late.
Next day thought Mrs Pottle looked Al
her spoons and furniture suspicieuslv. anC
appeared i'll at ease the day after that
fonnd her hunting behind my sofa when ]
came in to breakfast, and | ventured to say
" Are you looking for anything, Mrs
Pottle.?"
Well, no, sir, thank you, SIR she said
hesitatingly and Immediately went down
stairs for the coffee-pot.
When I returned home in the evening
there was a young lady in the passage talk
ing to Mrs. Pottle; but passed up without
a close investigation. Just as | turned the
corner of the staircase heard these words.
in pleasant voice, 20 wish [ could find it
it is such ridiculous thing to lose. / am
almost sure l must have left it in the parlor
when | brought it down to show grand
mamma, and forgot to carry it away. | am
sorry to have troubled you again. Mrs Pot
tie, and it is of no very great consequence >
''Shall ask Mr.. Haley?"
80, no. of ceurse, if he had seen it, he
would have given it to you, 1t wasn't has. =
And she laughed a girlish, silvery, merry
laugh.
| softly opened my room door and went in.
Would she think me a thief, then a? Who
was she? The front door closed after a
q Good evening, Mrs. Pottle," and looked
out of my window, and watched her then,
taking my hat again, ran down stairs, obey
ing sudden impulse. and followed her.
Il