The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-01-04

before / saw the famous peaches sent
by Chevet occupying conspicuous
place in the centre of the table.
They were, indeed, magnificent!
There was pyramid OF them in
china basket, carefully arranged with
grape leaves, which brought out the
appetizing color of their velvety skins
where deep red shaded into greenish
white. From seeing them one could
easily imagine the fragrance and deli
cate flavor OF the luscious, rosy pulp.
My eyes caressed them from afar, and
I thought of the joyous cries that
would greet me on my return il / sue
ceeded in carrying home sample of
this perfect fruit. They were excit-
ing general admiration, and the more
! gazcd at them, the more did my de-
sire take the shape of a fixed purpose.
| determined to have one or two. But
how? The walters kept n watch over
this rare and costly delicacy, our host
sure OF offering his peaches to certain
/ guests. From time TO time, at sign
/ from my chief, the butler would dain-
| tilv take one, cut il with silver
knife, aud present the two halves on
Sevres plate to the designated person.
| watched this performance greed
lily, and with fear, saw the pyramid
inll in. However. the contents of the
basket were not exhausted. Perhaps
the order had been strictly executed:
perhaps the peaches had been ar
ranged with forothought ut any rate,
when the banqueters, recalled 10y the
orchostra's playing prelude, hurried
back to the dancing hall, there were
still half dozen beautiful peaches
nesting among the green leaves
followed the crowd, but il wGs
only false sorte. had left my hat
in corncr-a tall hat, which had
bothered me considerably during the
entire evening. | wenyback with the
pretense of getting it, and, ms I was,
III II way, one of the household, the
servants did not mistrust me. Besides,
they were busy carrying out the dishes
and glasses used by the guests, and, at
certain moment, 1 found myself
alone near the sideboard.
There was not nm instant to lose
After furtive glance to the right and
left, ! approached the basket and made
two of the peaches quickly roll into
my hat. where | covered them with
my handkerchief; then, very calm and
dignihed in appearance, though my
heart was beating frightfully, | left
the dining-room, carefully pressing
the opening of my hat to my breast,
and holding it there by means of my
right hand, which, thrust inside Of my
vest, gave me very majestic, almost
Napoleonic, bearing.
Ny scheme was to cross the ball.
room cautiously, to steal away, and,
once outside, % carry home victori-
ously tha two peaches wrapped in my
handkerchief
II was not so easy as I lad f,tncied.
Tho '.s-s "he~t 49, in.s, ''-
, cotillion. All around a. rye nall
there was q double liue oi 2uen and
elderly ladies, hemming ia the circle
, formed 10y the chairs of e dancers
, while in the center there'was n wild,
empty space, where a few couples wer,
, waltzing.
A timidly made my way through
/ groups of people; squeezed betweei
e chairs with the suppleness of n snake
. | tremhled each moment for fear that {
q rough JOG of my elbow would change
s the position of my hat and let TIA,
f. peaches fall. could feel them roll
! Ia around inside, and grew hot I,
Il Ia Ia, A,
- last, after much care and manmuvring
| | reached the inner space Just as Il new
. figure was being organized A lad,
( Is placed in the centre aud the gen
: tlemen circle about her with then
@ backs turned; she holds hat an,
places it upon the head of the MAJ
I with whom she wishes to waltz.
= | had hardly taken two steps whei
. the directors daughter, who was lead
ing the cotillion with young coun
o selor Of the prefecture, cried:
t. "A hat! We need hatr'
c At the same moment she caugh
e sight of me with my stovepipe against
my breast, met her glance, and M
, blood froze.
r "Ah!" she said to me, "you have
{ come just in time, NJ. Herbelot
% Quick, your hat.
; Before | could stammcr out on,
$ word she had taken my hat, so hastily
F.: that the peaches forthwith rolled upoI
the floor, carrying my handkercLie
and two or three grape-leaves will
I them.
= You can imagine the tableau. Th,
n dancers laughed in their sleeves a
b my theft and discontinue my chic
: frowned, and grave men whispered
1 and pointed their fingers at me, Will,
a | felt my knees grow weak longet
to sink through the floor and disap
e pear.
! The young lady pressed her lips to
G gether to keep back her laughter, and
= while returning my hat, said, in al
. ironical voice:
S "Pick up your peaches, M. Herbe
I Il 4 a