The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-04

nothing save wlthered leaves and
withered hopes" Even Peleg's society
appeared to lose its wonted effect, and
his reading its interest. Her eye grew
DINNER and DINNER, her walk more
listless, and even her once so upright
form seemed to bend under the burden
of her grief Whether it was the lost
watch for which she pined away, or a
yearning for the rosy chains of Hymen,
will probably have to remain forever
hidden from human ken; for who is capa-
BILE of fathoming the depths of woman's
heart?
Poor Peleg was fairly at his wits ends.
He vainly taxed his ingenuity to discov-
er some means to dissipate his friends
melancholy. The weather was still too
cold for visit to the Springs. At last
happy thought inspired him.
He pretended that urgent business de-
manded his presence in New York, and
proposed to Aunt Jerusha to accompany
him. There were thousand things
worth seeing in the huge metropolis.
She would be able-he cunningly urged
to shop to her hearts desire, and thus
find rare opportunity to put her great
gift at making good bargains to practi-
cal and profitable use. At any rate, the
trip would cheer her up!
After few scruples and some persua-
sion, she consented to the plan. To
avoid, however, all additional scandal,
she decided to take Tabitha with her,
who received the news with the most
extravagant demonstrations of Joy.
The main objection to the journey hav-
,,,rr fha
parations for 1t Immediately began the
house was put in order, and contided to
the charge of James, the private consta
BILE. The trio set out in the best of
spirits, and arrived in due time, safe and
sound, in the great city, trunks, travel
ling-bags, bandboxes and all.
1t was bright sunny April day, when
Aunt Jerusha, escorted by her friend
and protector, ventured to plunge into
the human tide which surges up and
down Broadway. She looked very grand
and stately in her new bonnet, the mas
terpiece of fashionable milliner on
Fifteenth street, which she wore with
the air of queen. In perfect keeping
with the bonnet were her costly CASH
mere shawl and ample silk dress, which
was advantageously displayed over a
voluminous crinoline. Whether it was
the change of air, or the whisper of
secret premonition which already began
to exert a magical influence, she certain
ly looked with long unknown love of
life upon the stirring scene before her.
Her interest was keenly excited in all
she saw and all that surrounded her.
She would have liked to purchase some
thing in almost every other store but
this being impossible, she contented her.
self with simply stopping to ask the
prices.
At the corner of Canal and Broadway,
a broken-down omnibus obstructed the
crossing, and compelled our friends to
stop. While thus brought to stand
still, and while little Peleg Brent en-
deavored with more zeal than success to
prevent her being jostled by the con-
looking fellows elbowed their way close
up to Jerusha. Their clothes were rag
ged and dirty, a bristly beard covered
the lower part of their faces, and fore
head and eyes were obscured by slouched
hats. Suddenly they paused. Pointing
to the tall lady in rusthng silk before
them, one of the men punched his COM
rade in the side, and muttered with a
hideous chuckle:
What Is acOn,dn WithOut crinoline ?"
Aunt Jerusha shook like leaf. Turn
ing round with ghastly face to look at
the speaker, faint moan, and the words
-" the men who took my watch PES
capped her lips.
Faint as the voice was in which these
words We're uttered, Peleg nevertheless
caught them up, and in an instant he
clung to the men, shouting at the top Of
his shrill voice for the police!
1t was not of the slightest use that the
surprised rufians struck out frantically
right and left. Assistance came from all
sides. The fellows were quickly secured
and marched off to the nearest police
station. Equally useless proved all their
protests and denials for, miraculous as
it may appear, the diamond watch was
actually found on the person of one of
the rutfians, carefully sewed up in his
ragged vest.
Little remains to be said. The old
doubts about the will of heaven were
now completely laid at rest. Aunt Je-
rusha and Peleg, accompanied by the
faithful Tabitha, returned home, and a
few days afterwards the blessing of the
church made the twain one flesh and
blood. As for ourselves, we trust the
gentle reader will profit by this instruc-
tive story, and never join those who de-
ride that wonderful institution, the
Crinoline for its mission is not only to
serve beauty but to punish wickedness
and to unite loving hearts.