The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-08-21

VI IJ "hPe|ntc CVAtlltlOu uuu relueSG'
ing him to give me some letters OF in
troluction to the New York law offices,
and that very morning had received IN
answer in the shape Of largo, official
envelope, bearing tho address OF the
Hon. Mr.. Carleton, an eminent Nom ber
Of the judicial bench. Taking up my
hat, I straightway bore the letter to its
destination, md, having read it, the
Judge gaid to me: "In q few days You
shall hear from me, and [ think shall
havo good news for you."
On tho third morning after this inter
view Ind persuaded my sister to tate
o walk with me. During our prone
nado We happened to pass before res.
taurant in the neighborhood, whence n
waiter had just issued forth, bearing a
luncheon tray, on which, among other
tempting yiands, was q dainty roast
chicken. My poor sister invoIuntariIy
fixed such a louging, hungry look on the
food us it passed before her, that it al
most broke my heart. On our return
home, I found a letter from Judge Car.
Teton awaiting mo. Apologizing for the
irregular form OF his invitation, he said
he should he happy to see me Us q guest
at dinner on that same evening.
As tho servant announced mo Judge
Carleton came toward me, and, taking
mo kindly by tho hand, introduced me
to his wife and daughter, and then to
several OF his guests who had known my
father. all were so kind and cordial to
me that in n few moments I felt quite at
home. The dinner was n brilliant one.
| was engaged in gu animated conversa-
ton with charming and very witty
lady beside whom l was s ated, when
suddenly all my gayety fed from me. I
had Just perceived ut ono end OF the
table splendid roast fowl that n domes-
tic had Just placed there. The scene OF
tue morning and the hungry look in my
sisters eyes rose up before nc, and my
heart was wrung by the reLembrance.
Tho next instant portion Of the fowl
was placed before me. In the meantime
the lady beside mo, finding had sud-
denly become tacitrrn and diStrait, gave
her attention to my noxt neighbor, and
lot me 10 my own devices urd the salts
'acliun Of my greedy appetite. l made
such good use Of the liberty thus nc.
corded me that in n few seconds every
trace Of the food on my plate Ind disap-
peared. Dinner was nearly over, when
the conversation turned. OH lawsuit
that my host had gained for one Of his
clients.
"well," said the Judge, laughing,
"the case was one Of my best, Ill allow;
but my client deserves little mention,
too. Just look mt the handsome present
10 las sent inc" and he drew from his
tlpger n magnificent dialpond ring, and
handed il for inspection to the lady WHO
-at next him. III tho midst Of express.
4ions OF delight md admiration, the
Jewel WIS handed from one guest to M.
other round the table, and Mrs. Carleton
Ind inst risen and WIS proceeding to
pass into tao drawing-room, when her
husband exclaimed: "My dearr have
you my ring ?"
"No, indeed; Mrs. NJ. returned 1t to
You n few moments siuee."
"Dless me! Then where eau it In 7"
he said, taking out his napkin, aud feel.
lug in all his pockets, Que afterthe other.
No ono stirred from tho table, and for
.ore minutes the room was filed with
! confused hum OF voices and the iing-
ling OF knives aud forks, china aud
.llss, brought into violent collision by
tho excited guests in their search after
The missing jewel. But tho search was
all in vain; the ring Ind certainly disap-
peared.
az SEQ how it is" said the judge,
jokiugly, "that ring must be some
wicked fairy who has maliciously hidden
herself away in the pocket Of one OF our
nnmber. Now, I am going to mako
proposal, ladies' and gentlemen-an odd,
1xtravagant, impossible proposal, II you
yill-and which you would utterly re-
ject il it came from any other quarter;
.ut which YOU will accede to, as COM
ing from an eccentric individual like
me-"
"Explnia! explain !" cried all the
guests in choru'.
"I propose, then," continued our
host, tbat before We leave this room
We shall proceed to search each other,
the ladies on this side, and we gentle.
men youdcr. Let Nil who object hold
up their hands,"
At the word Search, all the blood
in NY veins rushed back to my heart,
and a cold sweat broke out OH my fore
head aud trickled down my face, which
[ felt had become Nshy pale. l stood
there apart, with n rush OF sound in my
ears, n mist before my eyes, and swaying
to and fro like man drunk with wine.
Aud, through 1t all, I could hear the
l1urhiug voice OF my host counting tho
votes in favor OF his proposal. Suddenly
lie confronted NC, aud said, ina peculiar
tone and with significant glance at my
arms, which were tightly folded on my
breast: "And you, sir, do you not up.
provo my suggest;onl"
al do not, sit" I replied. with ont
ward HTuueSSt buG WIN AuSU PhiSA
than ever. A silence as Of death sue
ceeded these words, and every eye in
the room WIS turned in my direction.
~ beg your pardon for this foolish
Joke, SIR" Said the judge, after pause,
ip torN I shall never forget. al wonld
rather bo tho loser OF ten thousand dol
lars than wound tho feelings Of guest
under the shelter Ct my roof" aud,
moving toward tho door, he added,
lightly, "gentlemen, coffee will be ruin
ed il We delay hCrC longer" Just as he
was passing through tho open door lad
yauced toward him.
az owe you IN explanation, Mr.. Car
letou," l said will you hear me I Pray
do not refuse me" l pGded, seeing hin
IL, sn,o,, ITn uknnI attIl for n