Connecticut western news., 1894-03-22

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 queters. recalled by the orchestra s play ing prelude, hurried back to the danc- ing hall, there were still half dozen beautiful peaches nestling among the green leaves-
 I followed the crowd. but it was only a false sortie. I kad left my hat in a corner-a tall hat, which had bothered ing. I went back with the pretsnse of getting it. and as I was, in a 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 nomentl 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 I covered them with my handkerchief; then, very calm and dig nifed in appearance, though my heart was beating frightfully. left the din- ing room, carefully pressing the open ing of my hat to my breast, and hold ing it there by means of my right hand. which, thrust inside of my vest, gave me a very majestic, almost Napoieonic. 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 had fancied- They were about to commence the CO., tillon. All around the large hall there was double line of men and elderly ladies, hemming in the circle formed by the chairs of the dancers, while in the center there was a wide, empty space, where few couples were waltz ing.
 I timidly made my way through groups of people, squeezed between chairs with the suppleness of a snake; trembled each moment for fear that a rough jog of my elbow would change the position of my hat and the peaches fall. I could feel them rolling around inside, and grew hot to my ears and the roots of my hair. At last, after much care and maneuvering, reached the inner space just as a new figure was being organized. A lady is placed in the center and the gentlemen circle about her with their backs turned. she holds a hat and places it upon the head of the man with whom she wishes to waltz.
 had hardly taken two steps when the directors daughter. who was lead- ing the cotillon with a young counselor of the prefecture. cried:
 A hat. We need a hat!"
 At the same moment she caught sight ot me with my stovepipe against my breast. I met her glance, and my blood froze.
 "Ah." she said to me, "you have come just in time, M. Herbelot. Quick, your hal"
 Before could even stammer out one word, she had taken my hat, so hastily that the peaches forthwith rolled upon the floor. carrying my handkerchief and two or three grape leaves with them.
 You can imagine the tabieau- The dancers laughed in their sleeves at my theft and discontinue; my chief frown- ed, and grave men whispered and pointed their fingers at me, while felt my knees grow weak. l longed to sink through the floor and disappear. The young lady pressed Der lips to- gether to keep back her laughter. and while 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-even the servants held their sides. Pale, haggard and tottering, fled, overwhelmed with my disgrace and so confused that could hardly find the door. With a dead weight on 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 I could not venture into the street without hear ing mocking voices murmur behind me, Peaches.
 The place was unbearable, and in 2 week handed Tn my resignation
 An uncle of my wife had farm neal my native Village, and begged him tc take me for an assistant He consent ed, and we moved to Chauteraine. | went to work resolutely, rising witf the dawn and never pitying myself. Il
 would seem that l was more fitted fol
 agriculture than for pen pushing. fol
 in short time I became an enthusias
 tic farmer. The property did so wei
 that our uncle, at his death, willed i
 to us
 worship peaches, for to them ow'
 my happiness Without them l should
 have remained a weak subordinate
 trembling at the slightest frown from tprefect, and being hut one of the al
 ready too numerous throng of clerk
 who find it difficult to make both end
 meet-San Francisco Argonant.