The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-10-19
there's not much danger, fancy, of hi'

! occupants glanced at the window, they
might have seen a face--the face of the
injured Pottletop. With bloody nose,
cheeks covered with mud, and clothes
smeared with the ashes of the dust-heap
into which he had been tossed, he stood
on his tip-toes, glaring in at them.
"Now, general, for your wine," he
heard his wife say. Excuse me only
one little minute. Our sherry is in the
library-closet."
"The library-closetp echoed Pottle-
| top. "Her other lover is there. Treach-
erous woman, she is not true to any
bodyw
Mrs. P. went out of the room, and the
general cooked his feet comfortably on
the mantlepiece. Mr.. Pottletop knew
| by this that he was not likely to leave
shortly, so he determined to ascend the
ladder once more, get into his room
again, and listen to what passed in the
closet. This resolve was instantly ac-
complished. Scarcely, however, had he
touched the floor of his chamber when
he heard Mrs. Pottletop's screams, and
her rapid footsteps clattering down the
stairway.
What was the matter nowp Was it
jealousy on the part of the occupant of
the cupboard, and had he assaulted her
on suspicion of having locked him III ?
Mr.. Pottletop, overcome by his emotions
and the terrible experience he was going
through, sank to the floor.
He lay there stunned, nearly Eve
minutes.
But his agony was not finished.
AS he was living, breathing man, he
heard fresh footsteps on the ladder
Exhausted as he was, he contrived
once more to drag himself under the
sofa. Peeping out, he saw form of
blue, and truncheon. 1t was police
man.
"Is she here 2" he heard the guardian
of the peace say. "She certainly told
me fur to come this way"
"Still another lover~ shrieked Pot
tletop, almost aloud. can appointment
with policeman! Oh, Sophronista,
this is too muchp
The fellow stepped in, and Mr.. Pottle-
top trembled. To be dragged out would
ruin everything He lay mute as a
mouse; but to his horror he perceived
that the intruder was very particular in
his investigations. He glanced in the
wardrobe, and examined the cupboard |;
he even made a show of searching the
bureau-drawer, and once-what to look
for, he could not imagine-he uncorked
black bottle. At last, he carelessly
threw an eye under The sofa. He dis
cerned something black. He poked his
truncheon under, and prodded Mr.. Pot
tletop in the stomach. Mr.. Pottletop
wheezed, and lost his breath.
"Hilloa !" cried the policeman.
you're there, are you? Come out O
that!"
Mr.. Pottletop slowly drew himself out
and stood up. covered with lint and
feathers, like curious and new-fashion-
ed species of bird. Recovering his wind
by an effort, he spoke:
"My blue brother" he said, mourn
fully. "why are you here? Have you
como to add more to my cup of misery ?"
"Cup O misery It's my opinion
you've had too many cups already"
81 have, indeed each filed to the
brim."
80 1 thought" sighed the blue
brother. well, let me run you in
quietly, now. Don't let's have no scrim-
maging; COS, if you do, I'll have to put
you in wagon"
ain wagon!" groaned poor Pottle-
top. "What have done to deserve all
this? Am living, breathing, sensi-
BILE man? Have I my mind and judg-
ment about me, or is this some terrible
dream I"
Ivy, how can you expect to have
your mind about you, ven you qoiU take
in so much at dose! The jim-jams is
comm fast"
"Jim James! Another one of Mrs.
P.'s lovers, suppose. He will be the
fourth to-day Oh, whoever suffered
such misery as mine Z"
The policeman took his arm tenderly,
and seated him in chair.
"Be quiet, now," he said, in sooth-
ing tone. Everybody goes through
this, you know. l knew what it was the
moment 1 spied you. When she spoke"
"She She !" shrieked Mr.. Pottletop,
rising to his feet. 1t is she, indeed !!
Listen to me: yesterday was happy
man. 1 had but one thought, and it
was her happiness, because loved her
to distraction, and fondly believed she
loved me in return. When she gave me
that pipe, and made me promise never
to come to dinner any day before two,
little did 1 fancy the motive she had at
the bottom. But this morning, by means
of few incautious words dropped by
the housemaid, l was led to suspect. At
the first step toward investigation, the
full and glaring truth dawned upon me.
I watched further. All was confirmed.
Her lovers / discovered to be number
less Some were on the roof, some en-
tered by the window, some by the front
door Although you, too, are one OF
them, tell you this that you may tell
her. This. my last message, commit
"Commit |" interrupted the guardian
of the peace, bouncing off the table
where he had been sitting. "I've listen
ed to your rigmarole but Won't LET
you commit nothin' here. Come along,
quietly, nowP
"Come alongY What do you mean {
Come along where 7"
with me, of course I'm going to
run you in. My pardner's outside With
a wagon, 80, if you resist, I'll call him to
help me. Blast me if wouldn't be
ashamed to walk along the street With
you Your nose is bloody, your face il
smeared With mud, your clothes is full Of
ashes and feathers, your eyes is black
and you're a regular scarecrow Come
along, now !"
Mr.. Pottletop picked up a chair.
"If you touch me-" he shouted, " III
murder you'll Keep of, ruffian-keeI
off"
"Oho! That's your game, is it9 AL
| RIGHT INV anvau tn