The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-10-16
HOW POTTRIDGE LOST HIS LUCK.

Mr.. Thomas Pottridge, of Small.
borough, had been renowned in hts
native town for his constant run of luck
so that at the age of 40 he was reckonei
the "warmest" man there-an Alderman
who had been twice Mayor of his city, a
church-warden and very popular char.
acter among the fair sex by reason of
his being a bachelor. One or two
things more only were wanted to COM
plete his happiness namely, a good
wife, nice little estate in the country,
and the honor of Knighthood. Mr..
Pottridge wished to become Sir Thomas
Pottridge. Having long cherished
this idea, and resolved, indeed, that he
would not propose for the hand of pretty
Miss Lucy Dott, the bankers daughter,
until he could make her a Ladyship,
Mr.. Pottridge ended by thinking that
he could best secure his object by caus-
ing himself to be reelected Mayor, and,
arranging, if possible, that 81. r. a.. the
Prince of Wales, should pay a visit to
Scarborough during the term of his
Office. Intent upon this scheme, Mr..
Pottridge came up to town to call upon
Lord Beaconsfeld. Lord Beaconsfield
hearkened kindly to the grocer's prayer.
scarborough was about to inaugurate
some public baths, the first establish
ment of the kind ever seen in the town,
and nothing could be more suitable
than that the heir of the tohrne should
preside over the ceremonial. "Truly,"
said the Premier politely, when he had
heard the Alderman speak, "the cleanli-
ness of the people must always be a
matter of interesting concern to those
who are brought into relations with
them. I shall be happy to take her
Maiesty's commands on the-aheml-
public-spirited proposal which you have
laid before me-"
"If you can manage it, my Lord, I
should be glad if the visit could take
place some time after the 9th of No
vember next, for shall be Mayor then
and able to see that the reception given
is proper one."
"Ah, quite sol" answered Lord Bea-
consfeld, dropping his eyeglass, for he
had studied Mr.. Pottridge through it
and knew the man by heart.
Leaving Whitehall, Mr.. Pottridge
sauntered toward Regent street, and, as
he walked along, Life seemed rosy to
him because of Miss Dott. He began
to stare into the shop windows, admir-
ing pretty things which he was tempted
to buy for his love. He was turning
over this fancy and fumbling wistfully
at the pocket where his check-book lay,
when suddenly he beheld through the
window curious sight. An elegantly
dressed lady was seated at the counter
examining pieces of Brussels lace. The
shopman averted his head for an in
slant, and she deftly whipped up yard
of the costly texture and transferred il
to her pocket. The shopman spread
over the counter q number of square
fiat boxes containing handkerchiefs
and once more turned away. Again
the lady's deft hand went to work, and 8
couple of handkerchiefs found theil
way under her cloak. "Now that woman
must have capacious pockets solilo'
quized the astonished Mr.. Pottridge
"She's cunning thief, anyhow, and III
just step in and warn the firm"
He hesitated moment, and while he
hovered about the doorway the lady
came out, escorted by an obsequiout
commissionaire with medals on hi
breast. A footman, one of a row bask
ing on a bench like oysters, rose ani
signaled to the coachman of a hand
somely-appointed brougham, who a
once drove forward. Evidently thil
lady was not an ordinary thief. Sht
was tall, dark person of about 30
superbly dressed and very handsome
Perceiving Mr.. Pottridge and seeing
his glance fixed on her as she waitet
for her carriage, she eyed him witt
aristocratic supercilousness and thereb.
settled her fate, for Smallborough's AL
derman, who could not brook the dis
dain Of a shoplifter, hurried into tn,
MERGERS and explained what had hap
pened, speaking in So excited voic'
that number of customers heard him
Great commotion was caused by hi
announcement and the shopma,