The Grinder Papers — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GRINDER PAPERS. 29 _ Well, she went away, and I waited and waited until a gentle- tleman from next door, in a barber’s shop, came out. Says he, ‘‘Waiting for some one, ma’am ?” ‘“My sakes,” says 1; ‘‘I should think I was. That lady you might have seen with me has gone to have the door opened ; and she does stay, I'll say that!” Says he, ‘‘A friend 0’ yourn?” «Says I, ‘‘ Well, very recent,” and I told him how we came to be together. Then he looked solemn, and, says he: ‘‘Madam, have you lost anything ?”’ | “Well,” says I, ‘‘I hope not. Why?” Says he, ‘‘I abhor speaking ill of the fair sex, but I’m obliged .O say, maam, that that lady ain't what ladies ought to be. She's pretty well known as a female pickpocket, and if your money was to be come at, she's got it.” I stuck my hand in my pocket, and, massy me! my purse was gone! It turned me as cold as ice to find it out, and I would have fainted if he hadn't taken me in his store and handed me a cologne bottle. Seemed as if I couldn't believe that magnificent critter, dressed like a queen, was a thief. I hadn't a cent left, but the barber gentleman was so‘ polite. He put me on a carand paid my fare, and I asked him to Sary’s daughter’s party. That’s his card: ‘‘MR. JAZEY, WIG-MAKER AND HAIR-DRESSER,” And now I’ve come to the pint. Sary’s eldest daughter—F lorabel Elizabethina—is about havin’ Go comicbooks