The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-06-13

at must be a mortal strange place"
said that amiable spinster, where
folks walk up and down Broadway in
their Sunday clothes, and milk sells for
ten cents a quart. And where they
halnt no garrets to their houses, and
go out to parties Just when we Center
vlliers are tying on our nightcaps to
go to bed. Well, well, it takes all sorts
of people to make a world"
So Miss Melinda retrimmcd her leg
horn hat with sage-green ribbons,
sponged over her ancient black silk
gown, indulged in the extravaganza of
new gloves, and set forth for the great
American metropolis to visit Cousin
Lemuel Larkins, whose family had
frequently spent halcyon at
the farm, and topartake of whose hospi-
tally she had had a standing invitation
for some time.
Cousin Lemucl and his eldest daugh-
ter, Persephone, met her at the depot
with faces of friendly welcome. Cousin
Lemuel was a photographer on the
Bowery, and Miss ~Persephonc did"
supernumerary parts at the Sparkle
theater and had the promise of going
on" whenever there should be n va
cancy in the regular dramatis persona.
Come along, Cousin Nelly" said
Mr.. Larkins. where's the check for
your baggage? Here, expressman. And
look sharp. dye hear9"
But" shrieked Miss Melinda, that
check is all I've got to show for my
trunk"
Its all right" said Larkins, ats all
right"
But the mans a perfect stranger"
Amt he an express agcnt?" said
Larkins.
Eyes; but how do you know he'll
ever bring up the trunk at all" gasped
Miss Parkinson. Il once read in the
Sentinel how"
Come along" said Mr.. Larkins,
good-humoredly. You'll find it'll all
be as right as a t~rivet.'
Amt we going in a c~arriage?"
BLESS us, no." said Cousin Larkins.
"We're a7goin' in the short cars"
But why are you going in the
short cars?" said Miss Melinda, in
great bewildcrmcnt. Il thought you
said you lived a mile and 4 half from
the depot?'
oh" said Mr.. Larkins, short
means the cars, not the distance. Come.
Let me help you aboard, there's Il good
girl"
No ooner was Miss Parkinson safely
bestowed between a stout gentleman
reading his paper and a black velvet G
cloaked lady, than she again began to 3
be Uneasy in her mind.
"Lemuel," said she, in a stage whis- ,
per. Il don't like these cars. I'd rather
walk" I
But why?" said Mr.. Larkins, who ;
was hanging from a strap like a first ]
class trapeze performer. 'Eh? The ,
man next you a pickpockct? But. my
dear woman, it can't possibly be. Hes i
a-holding up the paper with both his f
hands! How can he be picking your
pocket?" !
"Ah!" nodded Miss Parkinson, s'they
deceive me. One of ems stuffed! i
I've read all about it, And he may be |
my watch and my twenty-five S
dollars out of my under pocket with
the real hand, this very minute, for all l
l know
Madam" said the strange gentle
man, jumping up and turning very red, '
as he started for the door, Il have not L
yet arrived at my destination, but l
much prefer walking a few blocks to Il
finding myself the subject of aspersions h
such as these! Conductor, you will have t
goodness to stop"
There" cried Miss Parkinson. start ?
ing to her feet, ''it's just as the Senti- a
mel says! He's escaping! Driver, l in a
'ist that he shall be searched. Conduc- s.
Tor, call the police!"
'P'r'aps," suggested Cousin Lemucl, II
'yo6'd better see if your watch anG
money amt safe, Melinda" h
Because, marm," added the con -,
.luctot, with the corners of his mouth u
'witching, that there gent is Judge u