The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-06-20
A CITY MYSTERY.

nner patterns and to indulge herself
With a glimpse at the great world, Of
(which hitherto she had only become &C
nnxiuted through the columns of the
weekly newspaper.
It must be mortal strange place,
aaid that amiable spinster, where folks
walk mp and down Broadway in theil
Sunday clothes, and milk sells for ter
cents . quart. And where they hain't
NO gaxrets to their houses, and go out to
parties just when we Centervillers are
tying on our nightcaps to go to bed.
Well, well, it takes all sorts of people to
make a world"
So Miss Melinda retrimmed her leghorn
hat with sage green ribbons, sponged
over her ancient black silk gown, in
duiged in the extravaganza of new gloves,
and set forth for the great American
metropolis to visit Cousin Lemuel Lar
kllls, whose family had frequently spent
baicyon summers at the farm, and to
Is,rtake of whose hospitality she had had
a landing invitation for some time
Cousin Lemuel and his eldest daugh-
ter, Persephone, met her at the depot,
with faces of friendly welcome. Cousin
Lcmuel was photographer on the Bow
cry, and Miss Persephone did" super
numerary parts at the Sparkle theater
aid had the promise of ''going on" when
ever there should be a vacancy in the
regular dramatis persona.
Come along. Cousin Nelly" said Mr..
Larkins. where's the check for your
t'aggage3 Here, expressmanl And look
eharp, d'y' hearY'
But" shrieked Miss Melinda, ''that
check is all I've got to show for my
trunk. How do you know he'll ever
uning up the trunk at ALL" gssped Miss
Parkinson. II once read in The Sentinel
now"-
Come along" said Mr.. Larhns, good
humoredly. You'll find it'll all be as
right as trivetr'
Saint we going in carriage?'
BLESS Us, no." said Cousin Larkina.
We're agoin' in the short cars"
-But why are you going in the short
cmT said Miss Melinda in great bewil-
derment. 81 thought you said you lived
mile and a half from the depot"
'NOhi" said Mr.. Larkins. "'short'
means the cars, not the distance. Let
NE help you aboard, there's good girl.
No sooner was Miss Parkinson safely
BESTOWED between a stout gentleman
reading his paper and black velvet
uloaked lady than she again began to be
uneasy in her mind.
-'Lemuel," said she, in astage whisper,
Il don't like these cars I'd rather
walk"
But why?' said Mr.. Larkins who
was hanging from a strap like first
class trapeze performer. Eth: The
inan next you a pickpocket? But, my
.iear woman, it can't possibly be! He's
;-holding up the paper with both hands!
dow can he be picking your pocket?'
Abr nodded Miss Parkinson, "they
can't deceive me. One of ems stuffed!
I've read all about it! And he may be
al-tahn' my watch and my twenty-five
dollars out of my under pocket with the
real hand. this very minute, for all
Ruowf'
AAd0d14s SdlNI LILO OH SSullC-
man, jumping up and turning very red,
as he started for the door, Il have not
yet arrived at my destination, but |
much prefer walking a few blocks to
finding myself the subject of aspirations
slch as these. Conductor, you will have
the goodness to stop"
There" cried Miss Parkinson, start
I'M 70 har II
says! He's escaping Driver, | insist
that he shall be searched! Conductor
call the police.'
~Praps." suggested Cousin Lemuel,
you'd better see if your watch and
money amt safe. Melinda"
Because. marm." added the conduct
or, with the corners of his mouth twitch
ing. that there gent is Judge De Crit
hths, of the court of common complaints
as amt noway addicted TO pocket pick
Ing. as ever heerd on!'
And Miss Parkinson, discovering that
her valuabes were all safe, subsidized
once more into her place and merely re
marked that I'VE are all liable to mis-
takes"
She was rather surprised to discover
that the Larklns family, instead Of oc
c1lpying one of the palatial mansions
contiguous to Central park. lived on the
fourth floor of a rusty brick house on the
ROwery. whose front windows were
blinded by the elevated road and who's,
rear outlook consisted chiefly of cat
and chimney tops There was summe
GARDEN next door where a band dis
A7onrsed sweet music until O'Clock il
Tho morning. and shooting gallery OIL
the other side. and the ground floor O
their own building was occupied by
Job printer. whose steam machinery
albeit it was underground. roared ant
missed and kept the walls a-trembl unit
Aifs Parkinson declared it was just like
living over the crater Of Vesuvius!
LA, my dear" said Mrs. Larkins, 8
comfortable. elderly lady with a greasy
popfn dress and a cap covered with
<xusnuled artificial fowers ..von uon,1