Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-04-19

"Babble, that's lie. Did you black
these boots this morning 2"
II did, sir"
''Did you black my others ?"
''No sir, did not, sir. No sir.
''Look at that leg"
Paul Hobbleden," said Babble.
reading.
Precisely, And of course that boot
ielongs to him. Now. how GOULD :. he
here unless he was?"
Babble swore that if Hobblelen had
been in the house, somebody else must
have let him in. after he, Babble, had
gone TO bed.
Babble, you may go-that is, you
may stay, in my employ. Bnt mind you,
don't say anything Of this to my wife-or
I'll discharge you.
Babble turned pale and faded out OF
sight.
Mr.. Frederick Thornlove was very
solemn for several sullen, watchful days.
One day he came home and found
Ophelia painting a watch-case. At first
she tried to hide it. Then she said it
was intended as surprise for him.
With ghastly smile-he said he knew
that
The horrible corn gave Paul Hobh.e-
den such dreadful pain that finally he
repaired to Mr.. Chiropedowski, the
great corn doctor and Polish exile. He
gouged it out for him, with heroic lack
of emotion.
:'But these little trifies sprout again,
don't they ?' said Hobbleden, handing
the count a grecnback with saw horse
on it, emblematic of the cross he had
borne.
''You must wear boots that fit" said
the chlropodist. "Were these made 70,
you 2
90; course or they wouldn't have
paincl me!'' said Hobbieden, sarcasti-
caIy. "Ons wouldn't"
Your feet are not of the equal size
eh?'
"More likely the boot" comparing
! tho,n
THEY bees not n.ates,' said the sur,
Gcon.
'.Trua - exclaimed Hobhleden.
Never noticed it before. Blamed the
snow for it but they looked like mates
when [ bought them. Iii go AMI blow
up the shoemaker, to make sure.
At tie shotnlahcI's he had fer"cious
controversy, Int WAS ut last persuaded
he must have changed the boots since
the purchases rccially % he now rec
elected lie did take off his boots in
| Thornloves warehouse one wet day.
I "Must have taken Thcrnloves boot
feet are small like nliile. But there is q
pair OF breeches between me and my nn-
feeling friend, and | scorn to CALI and
ask him for my property. Lei me see.
Best thing for ME TO DO, without beng
Inundated. is to wait till Thornlove gets
to bed and then 90 and ask Bahhlc to
go up and change the boots.
That very night with mingled thoughts
of wife-mtlrler and suicide, snbsided
! among the s'lrging feathers of his soil
tary bed, the Jealous Frederick Thorn.
love. If to die were but to sleep no less
comfAtably, he would gladly have takcr
in his arms sea of feathers, and by re
posing ended himself He/ addressed
himself to sleep but she refused to en-
brace SO vindic tive q person. >Ankeful
therefore, near MI dnight he heard som,
body opening his chamber door
"Can it be the brazen, false Ophelia
No; it is a heavier weight. Blessed if i
isn't Babble, actually coming in here I:
that you, Balhle p
Yes. sir. ialtere,! Babble. Though
I'd shine Your boots tonight, instead o
IN the morning.
Take en-. Don't come up again
NO sir.
And the servant :ovfEliv hurried dow
with them 10 the kitchen.
''Ill bet bale of erecnbacks tha
Hobbleden is IN the house and has hribe,
him 10 get that boot. ! thought tha
pnan would be coming. italy. and 10y
III overwhelm him.
Thornlove wen: down III his stockings
and listened al the partly open kitche
door II l,..e6cn was really .h,Ie
That's 4 mischief making article
said Babh!e 70 Hoi>i,,e6en. who ~
drawing il On Il came uearioing II
place on account Of it; Mr. Thorn!ov
i saw yo1r name IN II one morning, al
thonght Won cane 20 The house secretl,
aud that | knew it BE suspected tbs
I had shined veur boots ana his toge.Lel
AMI had Numbered when returning then
, Separate apartments for him ana he
this long time, yon see.
. Good gracious" whispered Hohbl'
= den il cold sweat Of honor: could /
:, :. suppose so:"
i,-