The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-09-12
HOW pOrrRIDGE SPOILED HIS LUCK.
From the London Truth.

bless our loving wives!
HOW POTTRIDGE SPOILED HIS LUCK.
From the London Truth.
MIR. Thomas Pottridge, of Smallbor-
ough, had been renowned in his native
town for his constant run of luck, so that
at the age of 40 he was reckOned the
"warmest" man there-an alderman who
had been twice mayor Of his city, a
church warden, and a very popular char
acter among the fair sex by reason of his
being a bachelor. One or two things
more only were wanted to complete mis-
happiness-namely, good wife, nice
little estate in the country, and the hon.
or of knighthood. Mr.. POttrIdge wished
to become Sir Thomas Pottridge. Hav-
ing long cherished this idea, and resOlv-
ed, 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 end
ed by thinking that he could best secure
his object by causing himself to be re-
elected mayor, and arranging if possible
that II. II. III. the Prince of Wales should
pay visit to Scarborough during the
term of his office. Intent upon this
scheme, Mr.. Pottridge came up to town
to call upon Lord BeacOnsfield. Lord
Beaconsfield hearkencd kindly 10 the
grocers prayer. Scarborough was
about to inaugurate some public baths,
the first establishment of the kind ever
seen in the town, and nothing could be
more suitable than that the heir to the
throne should preside over the ceremo-
NAL Truly" said the Premier, polite
~, when he had heard the alderman
speak, 1.-THE cleanliness of the people
~ ai ln nf N Cr
concern to those who are brought into
relations with them. shall be happy
to take her Majesty's commands on the
-ahem -public-Spirited proposal 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 NOvem-
Der next, for | shall be mayor then and
able to see that the reception given is a
proper one"
'Ah, quite SOL" answered Lord Bea-
cOnsfield, dropping his eyeglass, for he
had studied Mr.. Potridge 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 Dott. He began to stare
into the show windows, admiring pretty
his love- He was turning over this fan
cy and fumbling wistfully at the pocket
where his check lay, when sudden
~ he beheld through the window curl
Gus sight. An elegantly dressed lady
was seated at the counter examining
pieces of Brussels lace. The snOpman
averted his head for an instant and she
deity whipped up yard of the costly
texture and transferred it to her pocket.
The shopman spread over the counter II
number of square flat boxes containing
cambria handkerchiefs and once more
turned away. Again the lady's def hand
went to work and couple of handker-
chiefs found their way under her cloak.
Now that woman must have capa-
cious pocket" soliloquIZed the aston
ished Mr.. Pottridge. shes Il cunning
thief, anyhow, and I'll just step in and
warn the firm
He hesitated moment, and whilst he
lowered about the doorway the lady
came out, escorted by an obsequious
cOmmissionaire with medals on his
breast. A foOtman, one of a row bask-
ing on bench like oysters, rose and sig
nailed to the coachman of Il handsomely
appointed hrougham, who at once drove
forward. Evidently this woman was
not an ordinary thief She was tall,
dark person of about 80, superbly dress
ed and very handsome. Perceiving Mr..
Pottridge and seeing his glance fixed on
her as she waited for her carriage, she
eyed him with aristocratic superclliOus-
ness and thereby settled her fate, for
Smallborough's alderman, who could
not brook the disdain of a shoplifter,
hurried into the MERGERS and explained
what had happened, speaking i'll so eX-
hot
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 lethimself be outwitted
Darling out of the shop, he accOsted the
thief as she was stepping into her car.
riage, and said: "Wfll you come back,
if you please? There is some mistake u
what mistaken asked she, turning
round with flash in her eyes. But she
grew ashy pale.
Come back, please" repeated the
shOpman, pushing young man, whose
voice broke from emotion.
A small crowd had already collected
and the lady was obliged to retrace heI
steps; but as she was about to enter the
shop she slipped her hand into her peck.
| ct and let piece of lace fall on the
|
cried Mr.. Pottridge, Selling the thiefs
wrist. you're going to pretend these
| things fell by accident into the folds OF
your dress; we know that trick.p And
Officiously acting as searcher, he plunged
his hand into the pocket, despite the
lady's struggle, and drew out a sec
ond piece of lace, three cambria banker
chiefs two pairs of new gloves, one pail
of silk stockings and lady's cravat
'Well, neveri" exclaimed the pushing
| shopman; and there was murmuI
among the bystanders, including tbs
iady's own foOtman, who looked like 1
powdered figure of CONSERVATION.
"How dare your screamed the lady
purple with rage and modification a:
she glared at Mr.. Pottridge; I'LL prose
cute you for assault. told the shopmar
here that l meant to buy these things
Let the bill be sent to my address; Tn
Mrs. Pounceforth- Keane"
"Ah, l dessay," responded the shop
man, "but I'm just going TO give YOU
into custody" and running to the door
he beekoned TO blue-cOated member o
the force.
One of the partners ofthe firm, gray
icivll-spOken man, who had been sum
moned from his study, now came for
ward and he was at first disposed to re
buke the haste of his shopman, but
was too late. The policeman had al
ready entered, and all the shopmen an,
shop girls, the customers and the desul
tory people crowding around the door
were instant in chorusing that the THE
should be made an example Of Mr.
Pounceforth-K eane, seeing public OF
inion so dead against her, uttered
howl and fell swooning to the floor
Never mind that, we'll soon rous
her. said the policeman facetiously, fu
he did not yet know that he had to des
with a lady who kept a broughan
"The magistrate is sitting now at Mar
| borough street; we'll just go there {
r once and have her charged"
This arrangement was acceded to, an
t IN few minutes the lady and the D
S liceman (who had got abashed by tn
: time from finding himself seated on I'll
e silk cushions of carriage) were ridin
TO the police court in Mrs. Pouncefort