The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-07
THE PRESS.
The Golden Hair-Pin.
A Modern Romance.

detroit Free Press.l
V.
George Adolphus Clarendonwas a young
man OF pleasing presence whose age was
not far from twenty years. His father had
long and successfully conducted most ex-.
empary meat-market at the corner of
Market and st. Clair streets, in the thriving
village of Westford, in Central New York,
and had amassed competence by fair and
honorable means. But the son held the
meat business in adherence, and steadfast-
ly refused to entertain the thought of fol-
lowing it for livelihood. He conceived
himself to be formed of the quality of clay
quite above the average, and was often
heard muttering in his sleep about the
''higher walks of life." Old Mr.. Clarendon
was stern father, and he determined that
IT George Adolphus would not sell meat, he
should be compelled to engage in the distri-
button of tracks with the heels toward the
paternal mansion. George Adolphus ac-
cepted the perpatetic alternative with cheer
full alacrity, and went on an aimless tramp
He said he was going in search of his prop
er level.
Maud Muller was the only child of re-
tired banker in the sleepy town of Coupon
vile, an aristocratic village in one of the
eastern counties of Ohio. Mauds charms,
both physical and mental, were the rarest
ever lavished upon women, and she had
been favored with every advantage Of edu-
cation that money could purchase. Her
beauty and accomplishments had made her
the idol of a large circle of young men, to
not one of whom had she given the slightest
encouragement. They swarmed under her
chamber windows on moonlight nights and
made the long hours hideous with their cat
erwaulings, until old Muller got tired of it
and stole around the corner of the house
with gun loaded with ten-penny nails and
let drive at the flock, killing three outright
and wounding four others so that they died
the following morning. That was the kird
of man Mr.. Muller was; but he was exceed
ingly fond of his daughter and had always
been kind to her.
Que evening as Maud was emerging from
her boudoir, where she had been scrutiniz-
ing large mirror and dressing for the op-
era, she was met by her father with the in
formation that Mr.. Muggleton waited in
the parlor.
Now Mr.. Muggleton was an ancient fos-
sill who had taken a great fancy to Maud.
and as he was man of high social standing
and wealth, Mr.. Muller had thought best to
encourage him as much as possible, hoping
that his daughter would have the good sense
to offer no objection on account Of age.
"Mr Muggleton is waiting" repeated Mr.
Muller.
swell, give him my compliments and tell
him to keepon waiting" returned Maud
with some spirit.
But don't you intend to go down? Are
you going to be rude?'
''Oh, yes" replied Maud, with an injured
air, 'I'll go down and stroke his shiny old
bald head and ask him about his children
and his grandchildren, and I'll ask him to
give me some personal recollections of Noah.
And, if you like, I'll go to the opera with
and I'll ask him if there was better talent on
the boards when he and Methuselah were
youngr A ~
''Now, Maud" said Mr.. Muller, "you are
making fool of yourself. Mr.. Muggleton
never saw Noah in his life. As to grand
nhildren, you know very well that he is a
bachelor and hasn't relation in the world
so far as he knows. / command you to
present yourself at once, and if you don't
behave properly there will be young lady
abont your size begging her bread in the
streets before she is aware of it.''
With these words the indignant father
turned on his heel and left Maud to choose
which alternative she would.
While the events above narrated were
TRANSPORTING, young man possessing a dig
nified bearing, and eighty-five cents in mon
ey, was just entering the brilliantly-lighted
town of Couponvile in search of his level
1t was larger town than he had ever be-
fore seen, and he was consequently some
what dazzled and bewildered. He began to
be doubtful about finding his level that
night, as the evening was rapidly wearing
away, and another question was beginning
to trouble him, namely: How was he going
to reach the higher walk of life without
more money? How was he to be a high
toned gentleman and live in loftier atmos-
phere than that which pervaded the meat
shops, with SO small sum as eighty-fve
cents in his pocket? as he walked gloomi-
ly along the strange thoroughfare, busy with
these troublesome reflections, he heard loud
tones issuing from mansion which he was
just passing. A moment later the front
door opened and slight female figure hur-
ried silently out into the street, and, passing
by him with quick, determined tread, was
soon out Of sight.
When Maud recovered from the shock
which her fathers angry words had given
her, she Immediately determined upon a
course of action. She resolved that she
would be turned out of doors before she
would consent to 60 to the opera with an
antediluvian relic, who waited for her in the
parlor She called her father back and told
him her determination. The result was
that the proud young beauty was promptly
elected through the hall door; for she it was
who had passed George Adolphus as he wan
dered in search of his level.
When Mr.. Muggleton had aited forMaud
until he was tired and on the point of leav-
ing, Mr.. Muller entered the room, and .apol-
ogizing for the non-appearance of his daugh-
ter by saying that she had violent head
ache, begged him to come again in a few
days, as Maud would then be delighted TO
see him. The truth was that Mr.. Muller
had no idea of Furnishing his daughters dis
obedience with permanent banishment, He
reasoned that she would would surely 90 10
some of her friends and return in penitence
in the morning
George Adolphus followed swiftly on af-
ter the young lady, hardly knowing why he
did SO, but feeling irresistibly drawn by
some unaccountable presentiment that all |
was. not well with her. In a few moments
he came up with her aud followed at a little
distance, watching her movements with tie
keenest interest. But Maud vas so intent
upon some purpose which lay deep linden
in her heart that she did notice him. The
street now began to be deserted, but still
the resolute girl walked rapidly on. At
length small foot-bridge across the canal
was reached. The girl paused; was her pur-
pose desperate one? George Adolphus
asked himself this question and many more
beside as he fingered in the shadows close
behind her.
Murmuring something to the effect that
the heaving, white-crested pillows which
rolled at her feet would soon embrace her
and free her from her Indebtedness, Maud
began to take down her hair
Going to swim"' asked voice behind
her.