Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-08-22
ROW POTTRIDGE SPOILT HIS LUCK
London Truth.

Mr.. Thomas Pottridge, Of Smal,bor-
ough, had been renowned in his native
town for his constant run of luck, so
that mt the age Of 40 he was reckoned
the warmest" man there-an Alder
man who had been twice Mayor of his
city, church Warden, and a very pop
'ular character among the fair sex by
reason of his being a bachelor. One or
two things more only were wanted to
complete his happiness namely, a good
wife, nice little estate in the country,
and the honor of knighthood. MIR. Pot
tlidge wished to become Sir Thomas
Pottridge. Having long cherished this
idea. and resolved, indeed, that he
would not propose Tor the hand ofpretty
Miss Lucy Dott, the bankers's daughter,
until he could make her ladyship,
Mr.. Pottridge ended by thinking that
he could best secure his object by cau'-
ing himself to be reelected Mayor, and
arranging il possible that II. Il. IL. the
Prince of Wales snould pay a visit to
scarborough during the term of his
office. Intent upon this scheme, Mr.
Pottridge came up town to call upon
Lord Beaconstield Lord Beaconsield
hearkened kindly to the grocer's pray
err. Smallborough was about to lnaugu-
rate some public baths, the first estab-
ishment of the kind ever seen i'll the
town, and nothing could be more suit
able than that the heir to the throne
should preside over the ceremonial.
Truly" SAID the Premier, politely,
when he had heard the Aldermanspeak,
the cleanliness Of the people must al
ways be u matter of interesting concern
to those who are brought into relation
with them. shall be happy to take
her Maiestys commands on the-aheml
-public-spirited proposal which you
have laid before me-"
"If you can manage it my Lord, |
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 IA proper one"
"Ah, quite sol" answered Lord Bea-
consfield, dropping his eyeglass, for he
had studied MIR. Pottridge through it
and knew the man by heart.
Leaving Whitehall, Mr.. Pottridge
sauntered towards Regent street, and
as he walked along life seemed rosy to
him because Of Miss Dot. He began
to stare into the shop windows admir-
ing pretty things which he was tempted
to buy for his love. He twas turning
over his fancy and fumbling wistfully
at the pocket where his check-book lay
when suddenly he beheld through the
window curious sight. An elegantly
4 l. i pnnto1 AZ tho tAt "a
examining pieces of Brussels lace. The
shopman averted his head for an instant
and she deity whipped up a yard
of the costly texture and transferred II
to her pocket. The shopman spread
over the counter II number of square
lat boxes containing cambria handker.
chiefs and once more turned away
Again the laGys def hand went to work
and couple Of handkerchief found
their way under her cloak. "Now that
woman must have capacious pockets"
soliloauized the astonished Mr.. Pott-
ridge "She's a cunning thief, anyhow,
and Ill just step in and warn the firm"
He hesitated moment and whist ne
lowered about the doorway the lady
came out escorted by an ob'equous
commissionaire with medals on his
breast. A footman one of row bask-
ing on bench like oysters, rose and sig
nailed to the coachmau of n handsomely
appointed hrougham, who at once drove
forward. Evidently this woman was
not an ordinary thief. she was tall
dark person OF about 30, superbly
dressed and very handsome. Perceiving
Mr.. Pottridge and seeing his glance fixed
on her as she waited for her carriage,
she eyed him with aristocratic super
ciliousness and thereby settled her fate
for Smallborough's Alderman, who
could not brook the disdan Of a shop
litter. hurried into the MERGERS and ex-
planned what had happened, speaking
IN SO excited a voice that a number Of
customers heard him.
Great commotion was caused by his
announcement, and the shopman who
had served her was quickly fired by the
idea that he had let himself be out
witted. Darling out Of the shop, he
accosted the thief as she WAS stepping
into her carriage, and said: viii YOU
come, back if you please There i
some mistake
What mistako?' asked she turning
round with fl ash in her eyes. But she
grew ashy pale.
Come back, please repeated the
snopman pushing young man, whose
voice broke from emotion.
A small crowd had already collected.