The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-15

SSCdAhSi9 plCtI4s
(which do YOU mean ?' asked the lady de-
murely. Mr.. Airey was delighted. These
little American women have so much self.
possession and so much spirit. His heart
warmed to her, as it does to all pretty wo-
men, He enjoys their society, as he delights
in Paris. In their presence he feels himself
kindled to wit; when they are gone, be will
moralize on them by the hour. He is ever
ready ''to break a comparison or two'' on
charming lady. at must be strange life,"
he observed, lowering his voice, "this sweep
ing up and down and bending of the body
under other peoples jackets.
my figure is my fortune" remarked Mr.,
Armstead, who was standing very upright by
his wife and staring at the gliding garment.
"Why, it must be delightfulp' exclaimed
Mrs. Armstead. "Only fancy being always
sure to have on the very latest thing
"Good gracious! how frivolousP' thought
Mr.. Airey.
ait is evident that I must go to my BAN
ker," said the lady's husband. ''Shall have
the pleasure of your company, sir, or do you
remain among the jackets?' '--t.,-
The lady looked an invitation prettily.
elbow charmingp' thought Mr.. Airey and
he said, 81 think, if Mrs. Armstead will allow
me, 1 will stop and put her into her carriage"
The lady smiled, and her husband stalked off
alone to his banker. The Englishman now
bloomed into talk with so much spritliness
and vivacity that Madame Lalouette was re-
duced to 'ixedl smile of appreciation, and
"Mees" could no longer display her unique
power of language. Mrs. Armstead awarded
her cavalier occasional smiles and mods, while
she gave her undivided attention to the bust
ness before her. She liked prattle at her
ear, and had the rare gift of seeming to under
stand it.
Having finally decided how the jacket was
to be cut, how it was to be decorated, and
what it was to cost, she became light-hearted,
and forr Conversations sake began to babble
of her doubts. She wondered if she had
chosen right. Did he think that the shape
would 60 with the latest gown? Was it too
heavyP Was not too light? Would it be
very becomings To all these questions she
into her brougham. Then she gave the gem
tleman some fngeres beautifully gloved
through the window, and said, smiling: II
have half mind to go back and counter
mand it. Would you be so good as to tell me
the time? Thank you so much. How late |!
Aud have forgotten little Bobby's medicine
again. guess I won't 60 back about the
jacket. Homep Thereupon she was swept
away, leaving Mr.. Airey with his hat in his
hand. He stood holding his hat and staring
after the caratage, until a fat French lady Of
fashion passed him off the pavement, while
her little darling of a dog ran between his
legs. Having unwound himself from the
animals chain and murmured an apology to
its owner, Mr. Airey put on his hat and heaedd
sigh. 81 have forgotten little Bobby's medi-
cine again p he repeated as he moved away.
Sand they talk eff the frivolity of French
women. Poor little Bobbyp' This moralist
has tender heart, and delights to exercise
it. Pathetic were the pictures which he
conjured up of the little innocent. He
thought of Tiny Tim and little Paul Dombey.
He fancied the sick child lying like faded
flower on his small bed, and lisping blessings
on his mother, whose whole mind was con-
centrated on the choice OF a winter jacket.
She had forgotten tie medicine again. How
often had she forgotten it? Perhaps for
months that little blghted child had been
signing for the lively tonic, or the dark-brown
cod-liver oil; but the hands which should
have administered the draught, while its fell
low soothed the pillow of the sufferer, was
posing bonnets or lingering fringes. Per-
haps at the very moment poor little Bobby
was looking his last look into his mother
eyes, and whispering: "Neyer mind, mother,
You may take it all yourself" "But this is
weakness" said Mr.. Airey to himself, as he
found the tears in his eyes. He went home
like man bent on discharging duty, and,
springing light as French thinker from the
particular to the general, wrote in his diary:
american women have even less feeling
than Parisian."
A week passed and Mr.. Airey had not
called upon his Boston acquaintance. 1t was
no small sacrifice. Had any one ever told
him that he was in love with married wo-
man, his neatly-arranged hair would have
risen and betrayed the thin places. Never
theless, on some of those platforms which in
countless numbers lie between the abyss of
love and the nights of sublime indifference,
the estimable gentleman moved with ease
and grace. The pleasure which he felt in
the society CT charming woman was, TO
some extent, unlike that which he derived
from the conversation of his maiden aunt or
his former tutor. The unlike element, what
ever it may be, never troubled his conscience;
but when he was forced to disapprove of an
attractive woman, he manfully resisted his
inclination for her company. he resisted his
tendency to call upon the Armsteads for a
full week. On the eighth day after their for
mer meeting, he had his hand on the bell of
their apartment. Perhaps he went to moral
ize, perhaps to offer medicines The door was
opened by French maid, who was crying in
most becoming manner. The visitors I'M
agination was aroused. SIS it Bobby?' he
gasped. She nodded prettily. She could not
speak for weeping. She led the way into the
first room, and after moments hesitation
be followed her. The sight which he beheld
was indeed surprising. On the table stood
bottle Of physic, and by it the most delicate
of sweet-breads untasted. Mr.. Armstead,
his somwhat rugged face softened by emotion
was bending, like breech.loader with the
charge withdrawn, over comfortable sofa.
Opposite to him was his wife, who had sunk
upon the floor, and with tears pouring down
her cheeks was soothing the little sufferer
The little suffererl Between husband and
wife, propped by the softest pillows, draped
by the softest shawls, important, and deeply
prince of pugs. Mr.. Armstead came for
ward. "How do you do, sir?" he said; 81
hoped that you were the physician. Have
you any acquaintance with the maladies OF
dogs?" ''None whatever" said Mr.. Airey,
tartly; Sand indeed am glad to see that you
can interest yourself in dog at such mo-
ment." CAT such a momentr' repeated the
other, slowly. "When little Bobby" began
the Englishman, visibly affected. "Why, sir,
this is little Bobby.
At the sound Of his name, uttered tn that
measured tone which he knew so well, the
sufferer turned plaintive eye upon the in
truder. "Behold how the great-minded suf-
ferP' he seemed to say. His skin was so
loose that it would have been well had an &C.
complished workwoman gathered it in at the
waist. His coat was starry. and his tail, that
sign OF his nobility, uncurled. The lines
about his ebon visage were deepened by ill
ness. The face told of suffering, but of
certain pride in the interest which 1t excited.
The large, dark eye was turned upon Mr.
AiIey, but awoke no pity in his breast. That
he should have expended a whole weeks
sentiment upon sick dog! AS well sit
down in the ditch with great Mr.. Sterne to
lament over dead donkey. 81 think 1 had
better go,'s said the moralist, with glance at
Mrs. Armstead. 81 am afraid that my wife
is not equal to conversation at present.
trust that we shall have the pleasure of see
ing you under happier circumstances" "Ah,
thanks, Pm sure, a,h' murmured the visitor,
and he glanced again at the lady. She was
wholly unconscious of his presence. She
was holding the limp right hand of the pa
tent in her own, aud was bathing it with her
tears. Mr.. Airey departed abruptly.
The next morning, as the moralist was toy
ing with his breakfast, and meditating Ifitful-
ly on the New England character, curious
note was brought TO him. 1t was shaped
like fan. He opened it with sniff of scorn.
Another noveltyw he exclaimed testify.
"Our mustard-pots are made like behring's;
we shall soon have beer.juge in the shape of
baths, and baths disguised as hanson cabs.
Marvellous powers of Invented, trulyv' He