The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-11-03
PIFF, ESQ.

Pin is bachelor. Not very old it is
true; nearer thirty than forty, and
thinks himself quite young yet. Not
what one would cali a handsome man
but fairly good looking, with an honest
glance in his sharp gray eyes, That pre-
possesses one Immediately a lonely
follow, too, without known relative
in the world, filling winter and sum
mer wcarying clcrkship, that was
gradually wearing tho vitality out Of
him. He had always worked hard,
clothing, and thc marks of his days OF
want still showed themselves in the
wrinkled brow, and utterly jaded gait
and dropping form.
Pin occupied large, rear room, fit
little it'd WIZ WIZ oMeSrt town. 1ppot ri tu5RS Sirset ,ra
own breakfast and supper, and takes
his dinner at dining.room "down
town." lie has unique horror of
boarding houses, and, since his aflec-
Tomato mother dicd-who he declars
"did cook such jolly meals, you bct'---
he has scorncd the ministrations OF
woman-kind, and prepares savory
morning and evening meal for himself,
that would do credit to French cook.
1t is glorious sight 10 see this
worthy gentleman on. say calm Sat
urday evening, with both windows
wide open, transferring juicy steak
from the broiler TO his plate. which is
flankcd by a couple of slices of nicely.
Drowned toast, floury potato, couple
of hot rolls the stcaming teapot on the
table-center-a tempting pic in the dis
tanco and lastly, couple of bottles OF
beer for m orr~.;-~- ----'' uVvsnt ne
enjoy it? And such an appetite! And
such portly form, and rosy check a
he shows, when, after discussing one of
these evening teasts, he sallies forth
almost young again, he thinks with
something of sigh-to the theatre or
the small club to which he belongs.
He is happy-no one but himself 10
look after selfish somewhat, we sup
pose, but scarcely moro than others
who were born more fortunate.
Piif usually patronizes first class
variety theatre; his white vest, massive
gold chain, and hoarse chuckling laugh,
are well known to the hdJitHeS of the
front rows. The performers know him,
too; but he proves thoroughly cX-
asperating coundrum to them, for he
applauds with equal ecldte the bald
jokes of the negro sketch artist. and the
finest vocal efforts of the blonde and
blushing, serio-comic de6utdnte.
One cool, starlit Saturday night in
the early summer, he was sauntcring
down the street that led TO the one on
which he lodged, making the pavement
ring with the strokes of his cane, and
humming snatch of the every latest"
when he suddenly caught the sound of
what seemed like a sob. lie stopped
short listened was certainly re-
peated and came from small passage
between two brick houses.
"llumph," he muttered, and advanc-
ed cautiously. Pcering about, he dis
covered what looked like a small girl,
seated on the ground and sobbing
violently, with her head envcloped in a
shawl. Pin tipped her with his stick.
"Well, little one, what is the
matterp
The shawl was thrown back hastily,
and she slarte1 10 her feet, adjusting
her hat, and passing her hand over her
eyes. lie saw that she was older than
he first supposed. She answered his
question trcmulously;
"Oh, sirl nothing is the natter l.
Pm going away at once" And she
moved as if to pass him. lie looked al
her thoughliully, and allowed her tc
move few yards oil.
"Siay," he cried; "ihere is some
thing wrong, Pm sure. If | can dc
anything for you, tell me. Come under
thio lomn anI lanl. ln my aVac ehill