Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-07
NO 100.
Gales ano Skettbes.
MRS. GEORGE.
Continued from yesterday. }


My office was nearly two miles from
my house. After leisurely walk ar
rived there Just rs the clock was striking
eight. Up went, scattering straws and
papers, till gained the cheerless. uncar-
peted passages, and saw opposite my own
square of painted glass and the card,
Not in till tomorrow" and then found
that had left my Office key in my other
vest pocket in my dressing-room ward
robe at home
Clearly had begun the day wrong foot
foremost. as my old nurse used to say
when everything went awry. What
should do next, meditated upon this
matter going down stairs. utterly obliv-
ious of basket of oranges at my elbow
till the vicious scream of the old fruit
peddler startled me.
| "Sacre Sacre. you are no zhentle-
man."
l turned, thrilled with horror. The
oranges were racing pell-mell down
stairs. to the delight of several street
urchins, and out in the gutter. l. unfor-
tunate wretch, had sent them there with
an unconscious movement Of my arm, as
gesticulated to myself.
| Nothing stirs mutiny in n mans soul
quicker than the imputation of not being
a gentleman $5 bill, however. healed
the noisy foreigners wounds and mine.
too. for with one Of his most fantastic
bows the peddler repeated. 'Sare, l was
mistaken; | see you airvon zhentleman.'
There was nothing for it now but to go
home again. | pleased myself with pic
lures of Mrs George busy over nv silver.
| make no Sc eret Of saying that like to
see delicate. refined women ut work. The
bare, round. bluc-veined arms, tempting
ly displayed just below the elbow; the
pretty handkerchief tied over flowing
tresses the stout linen apron jealously
keeping guard from throat to toes; the
quick, fine step; the musical gurgle of
some sweet old favorite song; the dash
and spirit they contrive to throw into com.
monplace observances the mimic buster
when one of the stupid masculnes inter-
feres with their privileges. if it is only in
trying to find the shoe brush, make UP a
charming aggregate. delightful to one
who has never had more intimate ac-
quaintance than his housekeeper.
So should | see Mrs. George, perchance,
herself rubbing with those white, taper
fingers the old silver that my mother once
delighted to honor II needed only this
Experience. felt, to make me willing
slave-tO send me IN hot haste to Ball &
Black to choose the finest, cOstliest soli-
taire to be found in their brilliant collec-
ton.
reached my home. mounted the steps.
There was a strange silence about the
premises. No cheerful hustle, no merry
voices, no sound of footsteps, no ring OF
gathering silverware-no anything.
Ipulled the bell. Still the most COM
plete silence not even Jip's cheerful lit
tie yelp warmed or welcomed the solitary
home-seeker. The parlor blinds were
closed; the basement shades were down;
it seemed as if there must be a corpse in
the house. Again and again rang. The
bella powerful one-jingled spitefully,
as j. it took pleasure in insisting that there
was nobody at home. ] descended the
steps; l went round to the back gate,
and succeeded in loosening with my pen
knife the hook that confined it. All was
as silent here as elsewhere, the servants
must. be gone; Jip must he gone "What
the deuce is in it all P'' muttered impa-
tiently.
Perhaps Mrs. George had postponed
her silver cleaning until afternoon and had
gone to matinee; but where were the
servants?
There was, fortunately, a window at
the back part of the house that could be
unfastened on the outside. The contriv-
ance was one OF my own, and nobody
was in the secret but myself. ] opened
the window, and had Just fastened my
knee comfortably on the stone coping
when heavy hand grasped my elbow.
81 noticed something suspicious and
followed you, yuo rascal. Amt YOU
| ashoyno6 man 1ooL ;Io n r-ac<l -. a -.
and breaking into house like common
thief?'
The fellow had me in his grasp as IL il
were wise. looked over my shoulder
A star blazed on the wretch's coated
breast; there was gilt number on his
cap; his breath smelled of-but we won't
mention that; his nose was a turn-up
his hair was little reddish-this is orig
inal-and the whole contour of the man
told of his Paul Pry instincts. felt my
eyes fash, my cheeks burn. and mental
" resolved after crushing and cutting; to
put my unlucky hat, that had led me into
all these scrapes, into the kitchen fire.
"What do you wish sir?'' / exclaimed
with as much dignity and severity as my
very peculiar and cramped position would
permit.
''Uhhand me-quick, sir / am no thief
but the lawful owner of No. 144O, NV
name is Robert Haynes; 60 round and
look at the door-plate."
''None of that blathos, young man, -
said the officer sternly; you've scruti
nized that door-plate pretty Thoroughly
I've had my eye on you for some time. .
"You don't know what you are talking
about. Let me 60 down, SIR" said hot.
ly. II tell you am Mr.. Haynes, Law
Office on Cooper street, shall not con
descend to explain toyou how happened
not to have the key of my front door. YOU
have only to accompany me to Judge Holt'i
on the right here, and ask any member oI
the family whether am or am not Mr.
Robert Haynes"
Every well got of, my young gentle
man, but you must allow me to take youl
arm.''
II am not in the habit Of walking arm
in-arm with policemen said I, hsughti