The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19

Pottletop. He rose, seized his garden
ladder, planted it against the wall,
ascended it, and likewise entered at the
window. But the room was empty.
He ducked under the sofa. His move
ment was Just in time, for the door
opened, and the stranger with the long
legs reappeared.
"All's safe!' he soliloquized, in a
husky, rasping voice, breathing through
out the apartment a strong flavor of rum.
"I thought the governor would never
go. My ears is corked with SCOT listen
ing for him down the chimley. Now
for the governors wife,"
"The governors wife " groaned Mr..
Pottletop. "I knew it ~
"She must a-knowed as was a-com-
ing by leavin' the window-bolt open so
convenient" continued the stranger.
But there's no keepin' the movements
of fashionable society secret nowadays"
"Knew he was coming" groaned
Mr.. Pottletop, again. Everything is
confirmed. Some aristocratic villain
who has turned her brain !"
"Well, now to look for the pretty
creetur. P'r'aps she wouldn't be glad
to see me just yet, nor 1 to see her too
suddint. I'll reck-anoint-her bit"
He crept cautiously out of the other
door, and Mr.. Pottletop as cautiously
followed him. They crossed the corri-
dor to the hbrary-closet, and Mr.. P.'s
eyes cleaned with Joy. At the moment
the stranger entered the closet, Mr.. P.
ran up quickly and locked him in.
"There, atrocious monster !" he
gloated, rubbing his hands. "Now to
return to the garden by the ladder, and,
if possible, obtain q policeman. Mrs. P.
must not see me- or she will release her
lover from his imprisonment, and he
may escape
Back to his bedroom he went, but,
re-entering, he stood rooted with horror
to the ground.
A noise could be heard from the win
dow, and evidently some one else was
coming up the ladder.
Mr.. Pottletop ducked under the sofa
as before.
Another stranger appeared. 1t was a
stout, elderly person, dressed in a semi
military great-cost, wearing volumin.
Gus neckerchief, and topping all off with
an immense wig. He put his legs de-
liberately in, and looked around.
"Not here?" he exclaimed. "Down-
stairs, of course!"
"Another one of 'em looking for her !"
groaned Mr.. Pottletop. "How many
more are there? Oh, perjured woman,
little did suspect this"
Il hope she may not delay" contin-
ued the latest arrival. al hate waiting
Snug-looking room-and, upon my hon
or, pipe! I'll take smoke"
Mr.. Pottletop looked on in fresh hor.
ror. His pipe-bis own private, partic-
ular and solitary meerschaum The
stranger quietly filled it, put it between
his lips, and sat down.
| "Now, this is what l call comfort"
he soliloquized, the smoke curling over
his capacious wig; "and I shouldn't
mind staying here altogether"
"I suppose not" reflected the agitated
spectator under the bed. "But your
sojourn shall be briefer than you ex-
pect."
"Only should insist upon the society
of some precious little creature, like the
lady am waiting for, to destroy mo-
notony. Her husband isn't the man for
her. From what hear of him, he must
be a regular old pumpl"
"Me regular old pumpw said Mr..
Pottletop, grinding his teeth.
al wonder if he would thank me for
coming, if he knew what brought me
here Z"
"Not much !" sighed Mr. P.
The door opened, and Mrs. Pottletop
ran in hastily.
General !" she cried; show kind you
are! Is he gomez"
"Gonel He must be, if you haven't
seen him down your way. He certain
ly isn't about here anywhere"
"How thoughtful it was of you to call
at the front door first :" said Mrs.P., a
charmingly plump little woman of
thirty. "And how especially thought
full to next get into the garden. As
neither of us has seen him, ! am certain
he is gone"
"Are you? groaned Pottletop.
"You'n find yourself confoundedly
mistaken, presently"
"I must next relieve Sarah. Poor
thing she has been dreadfully nervous.
Sarah !"
That innocent young person entered.
"You needn't be under any further
alarm, Sarah. He is gone"
is he, mum =? How delighted am to
hear il"
"Yes! Now I will take General
Wagstaffe below, and insist upon his
having q glass of wine."
MADAME" said that gallant officer,
presenting his arm, 81 shall only be too
happy"
At the moment they had disappeared,
Mr. POttleton determined to show him
self. He made movement to get out.
whats that 7" exclaimed the nervous
Sarah, rushing to the door.
ats only"
But before the poor gentleman could
articulate syllable further she darted
down the steps, screaming at the top of
her voice. Instantly afterward General
Wagstaffe came dumping back into the
room, red with fury. Mr.. Pottletop
seized bootjack, the general snatched
up water pitcher. They stood face to
face.
"I'll do for you, ruffian p exclaimed
the general.
"You will2 You'll assassinate me
Reckless hbertine, l am diminutive, but
courageous / shall throw you out of
the window"
"That's your game is itf" cried the
military stranger. "Well, two can play
at it so let us see who'll win."
With which he rushed upon poor Mr..
Pottletop, upset the table in the way,
smashed the water-pitcher over his head,
carried him bodily to the window, and
flung him head foremost into the yard.
| Mrs Dottlafnx, 20 M q r,,uui M O. in again