Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-11


drew out a second piece of lace, three
cambric handkcrchiefs, two pairs of new
gloves, one pair of silk stockings and n
lady's silk cravat. "Well, / neverr' ex-
claimed the pushing shopman, and
there was murmur among the by
standers, including the lady's own foot
man. who looked like a powdered
figure of CONSERVATION.
How dare YOU" screamed the lady,
urple with rage and modification, as
she glared at Mr.. Pottridge; "I'll prose-
cute you for assault. l told the shop
man here that meant to buy these
things. Let the bill be sent to my nd
dress; Tn Mrs. Pounceiorth-Keane."
~ dcssay," resumed the shopman
"but I'm going to give you into Gus
tody;" and running to the door, he
beckoned TO n bluc-coated member of
the force.
One of the partners of the firm. n
gray, clvil-spoken man, who had been
summoned from his study, now came
forward; and he was mt first disposed
to rcbuke the haste of his shopman,
but ii was too late. The policeman had
already entered, and all the shopmcn
and shop-girls. the customers and the
desultory people crowding around the
door, were instant in chorusing that the
thief should be made AN example Of.
Mrs. Pounceforth- Keane, seeing public
opinion so dead against her. uttered n
howl, and fell swooning to the floor.
Never mind that. we'll soon rouse
her. said the policeman, facetiously, for
he did not yet know that he had to
deal with lady who kept brougham.
THE magistrate is sitting now at
Marlborough street; we'll just go there
Mt once and have her charged"
SThis arrangement was acceded TO,
and in few minutes the lady and the
policeman (who had got abashed by this
time from finding himself seated on the
silk cushions of a carriagc) were riding
Keane's own vehicle, while Mr.. Pot
fridge. the shopman and the mercer fol-
lowed on foot TO give evidence.
One would think that in n case where
the offence was fragrant and the testi-
mony so clear the magistrate might
have sentenced the defendant straight of
to six months Imprisonment. and in
deed, had the thief been person of the
lower ordes. it would probably have
been her fate to be convicted summarily.
But it turned out that Pounccforth-
Keane was the real name of the elegant
shoplifter. whose husband was "A person
moving. rs reporters say, in the best
ranks Of society," MFR. Pounccforth-
keane was sent for, and arrived breath
less in n hanson from ono of the best
clubs in Pail Mall At the sight of him
his wife. who had been locked up for an
hour in police cell, wept profusely, and
Mr.. Z. X, was himself much agitatcd.
lie asked for remand, and rendered
bail, saying he should produce medical
evidence To the effect that his wife had
lately suffered severely in health. The
magistrate, timid man, who had
grown-up daughters 10 marry. and was
terribly afraid of soCiety-stammered out
something Ii ke an apology. and readily
acceded to the application for bail. SO
very soon Mrs. Pounceforth- Keane tot
tered out of court weeping like victim.
on her husbands arm and Mr.. Pottridge
walked away with the shopman and the
Civil-spokCn mercer. All three were
crestfallen. as If they had committed n
blunder. This will be- n very bad
affair for me- grumbled the mercer.
9 / would have lost n hundred yards of
lace sooner than appear in court against
lady like this"
We'll, but she's n thief" cried Mr..
Pottridge. rousing himself and speaking
with spirit. What harm can she or
her friends do you?"
" Are you quite sure you saw her steal
the things?" asked the mercer. gloomily.
Besides, supposing she did put them
in her pocket. she says that she told my
shopman to send her the bill
"1 m hanged If size did," calculated
the shopman, Indignantly.
" Silence, sir. answered the mercer.
with stern frown. If this be really n
case of thet you arc self-condemned. for
you ought TO have kept your eyes about
you. For some time past have noticed
that you have been very negligent in
business" LA
The shopman collapsed; ac~ Mr..
Pottridge. he tTudged back TO T.. &otel.
feeling half inclined to go and ask Lord
Beaconsfield what he ought to do. The
case had been adjourned for n week. so
he Travelled back TO Smallborough in the
evening, and by the time he reached his
native town he had worried himself up
into state Of contempt for the mercer
and the metropolitan stipendiary. who
seemed to draw n distinction between
well-dressed and addressed plunderers.
Meeting Mr.. Bungs. the brewer. near
the railway station, he gave him an ac-
count of what had happened, and was
hearkened to with sympathy until he
mentioned the name of Pounccforth-
Keane; then Mr.. Bungs pursed UP his
lips. why. bless me, that's the cousin
of Lord Keynso'e. brothcr-in-law of our
lord lieutenant"
What difference does that make?"
stammercd Mr.. Pottridge. like man
who feels less sure Of his ground.
"Oh, nothing, except that | don't see
why lady of that sort should commit
robberics. +" responded Mr.. Bungs.
Further down the street MIR Pottridge.
who was rubbing his pate in rather vfo-
lent perplexity. encountered Mr.. Dott,
the banker. whose daughter Lucy he
loved. Pounceforth Keane ~ ex-
claimed Mr.. Uott, ms soon as he had
heard the grocer's story. "Why, Lord
Keynsole, his cousin, banks with u.s."
Well, but come, Dot" retortcd Mr..
Pottride, impatiently, els that reason
why Mrs. Pouncefor.h-Kea shouldn't
be dishonest .jade?"
hnt I tHtpL ~ ,h.ria fIteox 49,