Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-17

that looked like bronze, chessmen that
looked like ivory, trumpeted forth
their inferior material by similar os
tentaious announcements of cheap
ness. Strings of beads and toy tea
sets, cases of soap and packs of play
ing cards, babies rattles and old folks
spectacles, mingled in the hetorogene-
GUS assortment; and little boys on
the sidewalk thrust handbills into my
fingers, to assure me that the entire
stock was to be sold off at an alarm
ing sacrifice on account of removal.
But it was none of these temptations
which led me on to my fate, and made
me enter the shop. 1t was a paper
doll l,rardrotng , in the window, with
heEt svenr-s5e beside her, all in sim
glefSA by, tirady for the cutting out
just what would fill with unbounded
delight the soul of little Susy Viii
ting, the one member of my deserted
flock who had actually been moved to
tears at the news OF my going away.
My heart seemed to be turned anew
towards SuSy by the chilly, unsympa-
thizing rush of the throng which swept
past me; and when | thought how
easily this addition to her scanty fam
lily Of rag babies could be sent to her
in letter, | hurried in to secure it..
The shop was so crowded-with
women almost exclusively-that |
made my way to the counter with diff
fculty; and l clutched my pocket
book tightly as the sight of a police
man at the door reminded me of the
caution posted at the railroad station.
The young women behind the counter
were busy as bees. and | waited pa
tiently fully five minutes for my turn.
A sudden scream startled me; and
the lady standing next me turned
round, all flushed and half frantic,
with the exclamation -
"My money o, my money is gone p
The attendant behind the counter,
and all the customers in that part of
the shop, crowded around with eager
inquiries; and the policeman was
there in an instant, putting quick, curt
questions. There seemed no pros
pect of my getting immediate atten-
ton for the little purchase I contem-
plated; and thinking at the moment
only of the lapse of time and the dis
tance through strange streets to the
station, I turned to 60 without Susy's
paper doll,-committing thereby, my
acute husband informs me, blunder
number two.
"Please wait a minute, miss" said
the blue coated officer. "The lady
has only missed her money a minute
it may not have got out of the store
just keep that door shut, will you,
this to another man who had Joined
him.
II assure you, sir" said |, commit
ting | know not how serious an error
in my amazement and CONSERVATION
81 am on my way to train"
"Going to a train, eh ?" rejoineC
the policeman, with perceptible dim
mutton in the tone of'respect he hat
used at first; "seems to me l have
heard just such a story before. Do
you think you can tell who took it
ma'am ?"
The lady who had lost the money
rather an elderly person, will
sharp, unattractive features-seemec
greatly flustered by the accident.
10 dear, o dear, no such thing ev
er happened to me before" said she
talking at telegraph speed, and at in
tervals thrusting her hand again anc
again into the depths of her pocket
as if the thief might have left a glove
there, or as if she expected her purs'
to reappear by magic. Il had it bu
moment ago. 1t must have beer
this woman who stood next me-"
Full of wrath and bewilderment a.
| was at this abominable accusation
the tears did not come to my eyes a
they usually do at moments of excite
ment. | seemed rather dazed AM
stunned by the interruption to m
sight seeing, and perhaps l looke'
calm outwardly to the group VIII
were scrutinizing my features as if
were already on exhibition in som
rogues' gallery.
"You will have to be examined
ma'am," said the policeman. "If yo
will step to the rear of the store, i
will only take second. You will
please come also, to the lady who's
loss had occasioned my misfortune,-
a may want to take your name an
address"
81 am entirely willing" said
quite rejoiced at a suggestion whic
promised my immediate exculpation
"only pray do not detain me longe
than is necessary"
But as | moved to follow in the d
rection indicated, something fell to tn
floor. 1t was morocco pocket bool
i Half a dozen hands fastened to pic
it up.
"You see you have merely droppe
your money" said | to my feminin
accuser, already beginning to assum
the haughtiness of vindicated inn'
cence.
"Not bit of it," said Officer Kno,
/ was destined to learn his nam
soon after.) There is not cent o
, money in this wallet. How much
there missing, Mrs.-"
J "Mrs. James Proctor is my nam
and | live in Ames Place. Ther
, was sixty dollars in the wallet, an
some small silver, and gold eagle
, "l shall find it necessary to TAX
| you to the station" said the polio
man, addressing me again. "Thel
t is no call to search you here. Yo
| see, ma'am," turning to Mrs. Procte
again, "it is not probable she has Il
: money On her. They work in pair
generally, and when this one took yot
| manav Sho rocrad II dirootlrr To hf