The Van Buren press., 1877-04-17

Tue matter llShtiy
"Yes, but Missis always counts up the
plate at bedtime, and I'm afraid there Il
be a noise abo tit
Sure enough there was "a noises
about it Mrs Coates could not go to
rest with the weight of that silver fork
upon her mind, and she insisted on Eliza,
who had daley charge of the plate, find
ing it before she went to bed. Nursery,
kitchen, scullery, pantry were searched
! No fork was to be found.
There was an omilous cloud on the
brow Of Mrs Coates when she came up
stairs next morning to ascertain how
Charlie had slept, and asked if her darling
was any easier; aud NJ sooner had Mr..
Coates gone to the city than the storm
beoke out
Mrs Coates was not loud and vulger,
but sharp and incisive "If that fork
be not forthcoming by this time to NOR
row, shall be convinced that it is stolen,
and hold you, Eliza. accountable was
the ultimatum she laid down.
The poor housemaids distress during
the day was something pitable. She
was tender hearted girl, and had been
very kind to the scalded boy In his turn
he was sorry for her,
Don cry, Eliza" he whimpered him.
self" don't cry; LII give you new half
crown out of my money box to buy
fresh spoon with and he put up his
white lips to kiss her.
But Mrs Coates was stern and infexi
BILE She owed duty to herself aud So
ciety, and could not overlook SO fragrant
a delinquency
Cook and housemad both offered their
boxes for inspection and she watched
them turn everything out, assuring the
cook that mo suspicion rested on her .
There was no sign of the missing fork,
and therenpon Mrs. Coates icily bade the
hoasemaid pack up her boxes and leave
the house at once.
The distressed young woman came sob
bing to me, begging an intereesson, but
neithr my pleading nor that of Charlie
was of any avail Mrs, Coates evidently
wought she was dealing with an artful
theft
You will give me character, Mlssis,
thill You not?' asked Eliza. imploringly.
Charadter! What character do you
suppose could give? BE thankful you
do not leave in charge of a policeman =
The girl shuadered "W hat will be
come OF me Where shall go2 dare
not 60 home to mo poor honest father
and tell him. Thief! Oh, dear dear!
You should have thought of that be
FORE" curtly answered Mrs. Coates, CIV
irg her the wages due to .the day. Aud
nrasr'nP Eliza to qait sae ApVse, hlpa lssss
from the nursery, oblivious OF Cl arlie's
entreaties, or his crying. which l had
much ado to stop.
The young woman went out, and in
about twenty minutes came back accom-
panied by man with truck. The ba-
ker, she said, had kindly promised to
take charge Of her boxes whilst she look
ed for lodgings
shook hands and said few cheering
words to her as we said good by, advis-
ing her TO 90 to her father AT once as her
safest course,
She shook her head, muttering some.
thing | did not catch, and went-my re-
greet and compassion going with her.
That afternoon Mrs. Coats was busy
drawing up advertisements and taking
round of register offices; charwoman
being called in--the already overworked
cook threatening to " follow Liza"
The next morning Mrs. Coats, wearing
the sty lish morning dress had observed
on the Monday. came as usual to Charles
bed side, closely folio wed BY her husband
"A quiet man who rarely interfered in
domestic matters.
The excitement Of the previous day
had done harm to the little fellow in his
state of prostration There was puite a
dew on his forehead His mother, stoop
ing down to kiss him, wiped his brow
with the soft scented handkerchief she
held. Placing the handkerchief in her
dress pocket she calculated, "Oh" and
drew her hand forth hastily. Something
sharp had run under her third finger
nail.
1t was the missing silver fork
She looked at it in undisguised bewil-
derment Recovering her self possession.
she exclaimed:
1.-The awful creature! To think Of her
found herself detected y
Stop, Eliza! how can that be2' in
teror4ated Mr.. Coates, mildly: "you
keep your wardrobe locked. When was
the dress worn last p
"On Monday But what OF thatT
Monday, think was the day you
said you found fork deficient at the
luncheon table 2'
She made gesture Of assent. He lift
ed up her sleeve, which had either bows
or some other loose trimmings on the
under side.
II think these fellows are the dein
quents. In helping the children, your
sleeve must have swept the fork into
your gaping pocket. Let US see,' and
seating her at the table with the fork be
fore her, he proved the case completely
And then the quiet mans face boded
an uuqulet breakfast for Mrs Coates.
About noon-luncheon was laid
came an electrifying single knock at the
| front door.
Peasem there's p'liceman below
as wants Mrs Coates"
"A policeman Wanting me2 Cook,
you are dreaming
Please m, the p'lceman says as poor
Eliza has drowned herself, and the mag.