The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-09-28

SINM CuSC llic, NlCuB ooS JA-oS AAO"
w q,netness Is more desirable
than your society. 1t is i'm
possible to get baby to sleep while
you are flying about the room. She
secs you and wants to get to you,"
answered Nellie.
"All right, I'll get out of the way.
BY by. baby"
And kissing the little one, Fred hur-
ried out.
Ten or fifteen minutes passed Baby
was quiet at last, almost asleep, when
the door opened and in rushed Fred
again. And up started baby with
shout of welcome. A certain imIatience
came into Nellie's eyes, and the tone
of her words:
"Oh. Fred. had almost gotten her
to sleep. And now see! And l am so
tired. What has brought you back
so soon?"
well, well. I'm sorry, but I left my
revolver behind. I guess she'll soon be
ouiet again." Fred said unlocking the
Ill ar and taking out his revolver.
:. Fred! You are SO quick and sus-
pirIL-s e. everyone that my great fear
is thI; y : will hurt the wrong per
son som- time" said Nellie, with
really anxious look on her pretty face.
4IuSSO, gill u Z VI CIV ''eih
Ing gotten hold of the wrons person.
I think you are calling on Your imagin-
alton for facts, Mrs. Loring," Fred
said angrily.
Now. Fred, to defend myself, 1
shall have to resort to facts. Do you
forget catching hold of poor old Uncle
Tom, and choking him so he could
not explain that he was carrying the
clothes to his wife to wash instead of
being the thief as you supposed?
And"
'And will I ever forget your hand
ing me over to the police for having
attempted to pick your pocket in
street carr" exclaimed a bright, mer-
ry-looking girl. who entered the room
during Nellie's attempt to defend
herself from Fred's accusation.
'Oh, Fan, don't, for mercy's sake.
cry quarter. Two at time is more
than I can stand. And besides. 1 had
hoped that you would not have ex-
posed that miserable mistaken Fred
said, with a reproachful look.
"I intended to keep the secret. But
really, Fred, I've been almost dying
to have a good laugh with Nellie over
1t. And tonight the opportunity was
too tempting to resist"
Mercy. Fan! If you tell Nellie, I'll
never hear the last of it."
"Oh, must! 1t is too late to re-
cede. Nellie will imagine it worse, if
possible. than it really is. But I'll not
prolong your agony. I'll be as brief
as possible" said Fannie.
And amid cries Of "Don'tr' "Don't"
and Yes! do, dor Fannie began.
1.-The day L reached here, just as l
came out of the depot, 1 spied my be-
loved and respected cousin Fred en-
tering the street car. 1 hurried up
and got in Immediately after him.
Even If my veil had been raised 1
could hardly expected him to have
recognized me, as I nave changed
much in five years. AS it was, my
face was completely hidden. The car
was much crowded, many standing
I next behind Fred. was well laden
with lots of little packages. so the
idea struck me to drop a few into
Fred pockets. Without discovery
Il put what wished into one, and was
about slipping my portmaneu into the
other when my hand was caught with
such a grip that I cried right out.
At the same time Fred exclaimed,
Here is pick-pocketr" and of course
there was a policeman there, as none
was needed. I was too frightened to
speak for a moment. AT length found
voice enough to say to the officer, who
was making towards me, 1.-The gen.
tleman will find he is mistaken in
moment
After the first fright I was really
amused, Notwithstanding the mortify-
ing situat ton. By that time Fred had
drawn forth my portmonnaie. Nod
ding to the policeman he sad:
IAN old dodge. Putting into my
pocket what she had taken from some
ones else. Has anyone here lost this?"
he asked, holding up my portmonnaie
mo one claimed 1t. I managed to
get my veil off then, that had
been tugging at. had gotten a lady
in the depot to tie 1t tightly, as it
was blowing a perfect gale when
arrived. All eyes were on me, CT
course. and the officer, not recognizing
an old offender, and not very guilty
looking young one. hesitated. I looked
eagerly at Fred, to see if he would
not recognize me, but he did not
There was a very embarrassing pause
then that had to be ended, so I said,
not trying to restrain my smiles:
'''If you will open that portmon-
naie, Mr.. Loring, you will see my card.
I thought my acquaintance would JUS
tify my loading you with some Of my
pocket Is FULL
Everyone awaited eagerly the re-
suit. Quickly Fred did my bidding.
You may imagine his look when he
exclaimed:
Fannie Loring! Bless my soul!
Coz, can you ever forgive me? But
how could I know you? I've not seen
you since you were a child.
There was a shout of laughter
heard then in which Fred and Joined.
But Fred's was not a very hearty
laugh, and think he was very glad to
get off the car, for he made me walk
at least three times as far as you
and I walk when we leave the car"
Nellie was almost eonvulsed with
laughter, which baby seemed to enjoy
very much. And Fred exclaimed:
''It was not half so bad as you have
made it out, Fan. And just for pun
ishment for your laughing so, Nellie,
hope baby will not go to sleep for
hours. I'm off now"
Merry ripping laughter followed him.