The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-05-03
" POOR PHEBE PIDGEON. "


Miss pidgeon engaged ~ said Mr.. Duck.
EFT. "Well, really now!n
Mr.. Duekett sat at his little round table
in the cool shadows of the hop-vines, break
fasting on buttered toast, red raspberries
smothered in cream, and coffee fragrant as
Arabian gales. Mr.. Duckett was a scientific
man and q philosopher; but MIR. Duckett
was also a little addicted to gossip. He had
his theory about the gravitating power of
the world but he liked fully as well to hear
about the latest quarrel between Mrs. Squire
Allen and her sister, the parsons wife. He
liked the Personal y column Of the news
paper, and took the livehest interest Ia the
list of tax sales.
I" A meddlesome old baboon Y said pretty
Alice Dexter, when she canght Mr.. Duckett
peering in at her window ono day, to see
whether the tall young man by the chimney
piece was Henry Lake or Walter Elevator.
A most intelligent person :" said Mr..
Mcuntmorris, whom Mr.. Duckett confiden.
tally informed 'nim that he had overheard,
behind the stable-door, an active Irritation
between Betsey, the maid, and Artemus, the
hired man.
81 don't believe in all this kissing and
hugging," said Mr.. Duckett "And
thought perhaps you would like to know"
So that the public opinion of Standale was
pretty equally divided on the subject of old
Mr.. Duckett
He had been up nearly all night, with
telescope, looking for new comet, and con-
sequently was breakfasting rather later than
usual, with Mrs. Hopkins, his landlady,
waiting on him, in her bestcap and apron.
Yes" said Mrs. Hopkins, as she brought
ia fresh fried egg on piece of toast"
Sits really true this time--to Mr.. Paysley.
And they do say that Dolly Dutton is feroc-
ious enough to kill her, for every one knows
that Paysley has been playing fast and loose
with Dolly these three years, and has only
thrown her over now because Miss Pidgeog's
old uncle has left her thousand dollars and
set of silver spoons"
" Hum hum hum !" said Mr.. Duckett,
between his sips of coffee Every extraor-
dinary--very, indeed"
" Though, for my part" said Mrs. Hop.
kins, 81 never could see what there was
about Alphonso paysley, to take the fancy
of the girls. But | Shouldn't wonder if Dol
ly sued him for breach of promise YETI
Mr.. Duekett was very much interested in
all this. lie Ind seen Miss pidgeon once
tall, pale, lean female in speetacles, Of
some four-and. thirty sunless summers; aud
he knew TINT Alphonso Paysley was the
clerk in the village store, sort of "gay
Lothario on small scale And pretty
Dolly Dutton often comes TO help Mrs Hop
kins with her ehurning, preserving, and
household satulnalias of that nature--a rosy
pink-cheeked young damsel with dimple
on her chin, misehievous gleam under her
pearly lashes, and mortal fear of the
dodgers telescope which in her own mind
she could not altogether dsassociate from
camera
Miss Pigeon engaged - repeated AIr.
:. cit ms he cts fs tl,ssns. IRA rser~errvs
and nuehed his plate sway. Then there's
hope for the Oldest and ugliest of rs all --eh,
Mrs. Hopkins? Even me?n
La, SIR said the landlady, :. there amt
any reason you shouldn't have your pick and
choose of the finest ladies of the landw
do you know OF any pretty young girl
that would take pity on m ugly old bachel-
or like MOI" chucSled Mr.. Duckett.
"Plenty of 'ern sir :" said Mrs Hopkins
"Then," said Mr. Duckett, suddenly
changing the subject, "pack my bag, Mrs
Hopkins, il you please. am going up into
the woods TO follow the course Of the geo.
logical strata that underlies this locality"
"Dear me, sir :" said Mrs. Hopkins.
" / shall be gone two days, said the phi
losopher.
Every well, sir said Mrs. Hopkins.
And when the sage was gone, she sat down
to her household mending with sigh
I" really do piiss that dear old gentleman
when he's gone" seid she. It's rather
bard to be left without even a cat to talk to-"
1t was three days before Mr.. Duckett sat
isfed himself whether the continuation Of
the Standale geological strata WAC gray sand
stone or red quartz and when he came
home he bounced into the sttingroom in
manner which Mrs. Hopkins afterwards re-
marked, "nearly frightened her ont of
years growth"
Mrs. Hopkins" he cried, gasping for
breath, "wlIere is the constable's house Z"
"The constable, sir p repeated Mrs Hop
kns. 81 It's on the corner Of tho Old Mill
Road--the red-briek cottage with the trum-
pet creeper all over it, But, begging your
pardon, sirl what can you possibly want
with the constable ~
" Woman" Missed Mr. Duckett, between
his set teeth, there has been terrible
tragedy! 1t must be investigated"
fSir? ?" said Mrs Hopkins, mora bowl.
dered than before.
" Is 1t possible that you haven't heard 7"
said Mr. Duckett, impressiyely.
:" Heard what, sir ?" said Mrs Hopkins.
"Of the-murder ~
Bless and save US, sir !" said Mrs. Hop
kins, jumping up "what are you talking
about? p
Mr.. Duckett looked intently at her.
6 Woman" he snid, " have you seen Miss
pidgeon lately?"
Well, now that you mention 1t, have
NOT" said Mrs Hopkins, wondering greatly.
"But I am told she has gone to Lowell
yisitin'."
Mr. Duckett uttered a groan.
Look at that :" he said--"a piece OF
crumpled paper which 1 found beside a
trout-brook, few miles north of here. Eyi.
IDENTIFY us Mrs. Hopkins fumbled nervous
ly for her spectacles, Z" a portion of the gull
ty correspondence. You will perceive that
it is not the cailisraphy of a cultivated per.
son!p
And Mrs. Hopkins read on torn and
stained piece of note-papor, the following
words:
poor phebe pidgeon is poysoned.
Dollie Dutton did It with RAFT Poyson, don't
Tell amy one, she Is berried out under the
old willow Trea."
All the rest was torn away. but Mrs. Hop
kins had already read more than enough.
:" 1t amt possible!" said she, turning very
pale.