The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-11

OhO thC SuZttt lUtlH I00 more
did my desire take the shape of Il fixed
purpose. l determined to have one or
two. But how: The walters kept
watchful guard over this rare and cost
Iy dclicacy. our host having reserved
for himself the pleasure of Offering his
peaches to certain guests. From time
to time, ut II sign from my chief, the
butler would daintily take one, cut it
with silver knife, and present the two
halves on IL Scvrcs plato to the desiy-
mated person.
watched this performance grecdily,
and with fear saw the pyramid fall in.
However, the contents of the basket were
not exhausted. Perhaps the order had
been strictly executed: perhaps the
peaches had been arranged with fore
thought. At any rate, when the ban
quetcrs, recalled by the orchestra S play
ing apreludc, hurried back to the dane
ing hall, there were still half Il dozen
beautiful peaches nesting among the
green leaves.
followed the crowd, but it was only
false sortic. l had left my hat in
corner-a tall hat, which had bothered
me considerably during the entire even
ing. l went back with the pretcnse of
getting it, and as l was, III Il 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 a certain moment
found myself alone near the sideboard.
There was not an 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 dig
nlficd i'll appearance, though my heart
was beating frightfully, left the dim
ing room, carefully pressing the open
ing of my hat to my breast. and hold
ing 1t there by means of my right hand,
which, thrust inside os my vest, gave
mo very majestic, almost Napoleonic,
bearing.
My scheme was to cross the ballroom
cautiously, to steal away, and once out
side to carry home victoriously the two
peaches wrapped in my handkerchief.
1t was not so easy as L had fancied
They were about to commence the CO.
tillon. All around the large hall there
was double limo of men and elderly
ladies, hcnming in the circle formed
by tho chairs of tho dancers. while in
the center there was wide, empty
space, where few couples were waltz
ing.
1 timidly made my way through
groups of people; I squeezed between
chairs with tho suppleness of a snake;
L trcmbled each moment for fear that a
rough jog of my elbow would change
tho position of my hat and the peaches
fall. 1 could feel them rolling around
inside, and L grew hot to my ears and
tho roots of my hair. At last, after
much caro- and maneuvering, reached
tho inner space just as a new figure was
being organized. a lady is placed in
the center and tho gentlemen circle
about her with their backs turned; she
holds hat and places it upon the head
of tho man with whom she wishes to
waltz
had hardly taken two steps when
the directors daughter, who was lead
ing tho cotillon with Il young counselor
of tho prefecture, cried:
" A hat! We need hat!''
at tho same moment she caught sight
VI INV WIN NY oloFtDlDO URdlllSl lily
breast. met her glance, and my blood
froze.
"Ah!' she said to me, "you have
come just in time, NJ. Herbelot. Quick,
your hat
Before could even stammer out one
word, she had taken my hat, so hastily
that tho peaches forthwith rolled upon
tho floor, carrying my handkerchief
and two or three grape leaves with them.
You can imagine the tableau. The
dancers laughed i'll their sleeves at my
theft and discontinue; my chief frown-
ed, and grave men whispered and
pointed their fingers at me, while l felt
my knees grow weak. l longed to sink
through the floor and disappear.
The young lady pressed her lips to-
gether to keep back her laughter. and
whilo returning my hat said, in an
ironical voice:
Pick up your peaches, NJ. Herbe-
lot. " Shouts OF mirth then resounded
from all parts of the room-evcn the
servants held their sides. Pale, haggard
and tottcring, fled, overwhelmed with
my disgrace and SO confused that 1 could
hardly find tho door. With a dead
weight Oh my heart, hurried away to
tell my wife of my disaster.
The next day the story was all over
town. When entered my department,
my comrades received me with, "Herbe-
lot, pick up your peaches. could
not venture into tho street without hear
Ing hooking voices murmur behind me,
Peaches -
The place was unbearable, and in a
week handed in my resignation.
An uncle Of my wife had farm near