Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-01-19

nl1ied ID appearance, though my heart
was beating frightfuliy, 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 very majestic, almost Napoleonic,
bearing.
lily scheme was to cross ts,a ballroom
cautiously, TO steel away, and once out
side to carry home victorious!J the two
peaches wrapped in lay handkerchief.
It was not SO easy as I had fancied.
They We're 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 Ill
| the center there was wide, empty
space, where a few couples were waltz
ing.
l timidly made my way through
groups OF people; I squeezed between
chairs with the suppleness Of q snake;
1 trembled each moment for fear that
rough jog of my elbow would change
| the position Of my hat and the peaches
| fall. could feel them rolling around
| inside, and l grew hot to my ears and
| the roots Of my hair. At last, after
much care and naneuvering, reached
| the inner space just as new figure was
being organized. A lady is placed in
| the center and the gentlemen circle
about her with their backs turned; she
holds hat and places it upon the head
| of the man with whom she wishes to
| waltz.
1 had hardly taken two steps when
| the director s daughter, who was lead
ing the cotillon with a young counselor
| OF the prefecture, cried:
"A hat. We need hat!''
At the same moment she caught sight
OF me with my stovepipe against my
breast. I met her glance, and my blood
| froze.
"Ah!" she said to me, lyon have
| come just in time, ii. Hcrbelot. Quick,
your hat.
| Before I 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 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 felt
my knees grow weak. I longed to sink
through the floor and disappear.
The young lady pressed her lips to-
gether to keep back her laughter. and
while returning my hat said, in an
ironical voice:
"Pick up your peaches, III. Herbe-
lot" Shouts Of mir,h then resoundad
from all parts Of the room-even the
servants held their sides. Pale, haggard
and tottering, fed, overwhelmed with
| my disgrace and SO confused that could
hardly find the door. With dead
weight On my heart. l hurried away to
| tell my wife Of my disaster.
The next day the story was all over
town. When l entered my department,
my comrades received he with, Eerbe=
lot, pick up your peaches I could
not venture into the street without hear
ing hooking voices murnur behind me,
Peaches.
The place was unbearable, and in a
week handed in my resignation.
An uncle CT my wife had farm near
my native village, and begged him to
take me for an assistant. He consent
ed, and we moved to Chauteraine. I
went to work resolutely, rising with
the dawn and never plying myself. 1t
would seem that ] was more fitted for
agriculture than for pen pushing, for
in short time 1 became an enthusiast
tic farmer. The property did SO well
that our uncle, at his death, willed it
to us.
worship peaches, for to them ! owe
my happiness. Without them should
have remained weak subordinate.
trembling at the slightest frown from a
project. and being but one of the al
ready too numerous throng of clerks
who find it difficult to make both ends
| meet. Francisco Argonaut.