Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-04-02
the habit of meeting at the bank at a late

busily engaged in overwork. It is not yet
known just how the pretty and guilty
schoolma'am escaped the argus eyed wo-
man in whose house she boarded, aud who
very deeply feels the disgrace. The lady
admits that while she wo lid not have en-
tertained 80 vile creature for one hour,
she did begin to have suspicious. 1t is even
said in some quarters that, though quite
young, it is not her first compromising en-
tauglement.
"While few of Mr.. Trow's friends still
profess (p) to believe that everything will
be satisfactorily explained, the majority re-
luctantly admit that this young teacher
probably, with her irresistible witchery has
cast spell about him. Nothing has been
heard from poor Mrs. Trow, who was not
only devoted to her husband, but model
of exemplariness. 1t is gen rally supposed
that she dismissed the servants and then
herself left town immedia ely after receiv-
ing the first intimation of her husbands
dereliction of duty. 1t is not known wheth-
er she has gone west to the home of her
childhood or is on the warpath. 1t is to be
hoped, however, that she, doubtless now
personif1ed vengeance, has found some trace
of the wicked pair and is pursuing them +"
Not only did excitement run high in this
suburban city, but metropolitan journals
took up the matter and the whole country
was agog. Each week day morning the
cry, 'Losti Lostl' rang through the city.
However, it failed to attract, for .'the freak
was but the vagary of wandering brain,
or the harmless escapsde of an imbecile."
The tones of the bell seemed to grow
mournful day by day. and old residents
looked pityingly upon the man who, when
doing heroic deed long years before, had
suddenly lost what makes life worth living
The trsmpling of horses hoof, though
child's life was saved, had lefs benumbed
intellect and a manned body to be cared for
ed him during this week of excitement,
though following of small boys sometimes
cried, "Lostl Lostr' in unison.
More than a week had passed, and an
other Monday morning had come: before
the denouement. After the regular morn.
ing paper went to press, valiant reporter
brought in an item SO choice it warranted
an extra edition.
The old man was on his rounds again, and
in pathetic tones crying, sLost! Lostv'
while the newsboys shouted:
''More mysteries! More mysteresr' and
the people with intense eagerness read:
"The Trow residence that was supposed to
be closed has an occupant. A light seen
there at midnight, but no answer when q
newspaper man rang the door bell. 1t is
thought by some that the abused wife may
be locked into an inner room to give the
husband and the siren who has ensnared
him time to reach foreign land and escape
detection. 1t is also whispered that ctiz-
ems propose to invade the premises for the
purpose of ascertainiag If such a crime has
been committed"
The old man passed on till he stood be-
fore the "hitherto happy home of the
Trows." A crowd had gathered around
the house, and while no one had become suf-
ficiently audacious to burst opea door and
enter, he cried louder and shrilJer than be
fore, ''Lost! Lost!'
The newsboys were shouting, "Have an
extrav' slave an extrap' Gall the par
ticulars bout the 'lopement an pos'b
murderr' when from one direction came
team and from another an unmauageable
horse and rider, scattering the mob right
and left, but the old mans bell was ringing
and he took no heed. Lo! again the poor
skull received blow from horses hoof
and the distorted body was trampled on, till
writhiDg in pain he was tenderly lifted from
the ground.
M and Mrs. Trow, with cousin who
lived on farm fifteen mics away, had dr.v-
CT up just in time to witness the accident
and attempt to rescue him.
Saturday evening, when somewhat to
their own surprise they accompa aied the
man on his homeward drive, they imagined
themselves children just out of school, they
said, and having given their housemaid and
man servant a weeks vacation, were easily
persuaded to stay till the moment when it
was expected Mr.. Trow would resume his
duties at the bank.
Fresh and vigorous after week of '1ife
in the woods" they drove back to civiliza-
ton p on Monday morning.
"a real vacation, not telegram, not a
letter, not even paper" said Mr.. Trow.
cousin, we are indebted to you for a new
lease of life."
The old man was mortally wounded, but
be lifted the bell once more and as a CLEAN
of intelligence lighted the face that had SO
long been vacant, with i4effable sadness, he
gasped, "Lost! Lostl when apparently re
cognizing the face of friends and in reply
to the omnipresent small boys Say what 8
lost?'' he gathered up his last remnant of
strength and answered, in clarion tones,
"Truth! truth!'
The spirit escaping from the cumbsr
some flesh, that like an old garment, it's
sometimes ones joy to leave, took its flight
to the country where tangled webs are
Strengthened, while school bells called the
children to their accustomed places, where
each and every teacher was found at her
post Ned G,oen in Manchester Union.