The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-23
How We settled with Rattia

OF picture book. Bette had 5ust finished
descantng on the pleasure she anticipated from
the visit of certain Mr.. Algernon Smith, whom
her father had invited to his house Mr.. AL
gernon Smith was the son of an old friend O
Mr.. Mulligan's, residing in Texas, and Bette
had never seen him. Ellen yawned, and de.
claring "the club" intolerably dull, begged
permission to go down stairs and sit until bed
time with my mother. Sallie's eyes sparkled
and twinkled, and fairly danced in her head as
Ellen left the room.
"Bettie," said I, "from what your father
said yesterday, he rather expected Mr.. Smith
last evening, did he not?" eyes he did, but
was disappointed. l shall look for him all this
week" "Perhaps he arrived this evening. y
observed Sallie carelessly. 81 hope not and
father and both absent. He'd feel SO lonely
with nobody to entertain him. hardly think
have done right in leaving home TO night,
under the circumstances" reioined Betty un-
easily. "Mr. Smith can sleep off the effects of
his loneliness if he has arrived | wonder if
he is any kin to Smiths arithmetic? wouldn't
make his acquaintance if he is%' said Sallie,
and the conversation on that topic came to q
close. About fifteen minutes after Ellen had
left, Salle seeing that | wished an excuse to
leave the room without exciting Betty's suspi-
clons, very considerably remarked that she
could enjoy drink of fresh water, and request
Led me to down and have some brought up. l
hastened down, and after giving the necessary
order, opened the door Of small dressing
room and entered, but gave an involuntary
start, and Ellen exclaimed, 'Now I know my
disguise is complete" "Perfect, I replied,
''why your own mother wouldn't know you'll"
"How am looking anyhow" Admirable" +"
''How do you like my moustache?" "tfs just
the thing. Where did you getit?" "Stuck it
on with gum arabic' "Where did you get
your black hair?" "Pa's old wig, brought it
in my pocket. Blacked my eyebrows with this
burnt cork" "You make handsome boy,
Ellen, rather precocious though, in sporting
whiskers. You'd better darken the lower part
Of your face little more to correspond with
the moustache, then put on lightly little pink
chalk and you'll do" "Do you think I'll sue
ceed?" eyes, if you can manage to change
your voice" 30, I'll do that. | don't talk
naturally now; no wonder. can hardly use
my upper lip. When open my mouth, it feels
like 1t goes up over my nose, when L shut 1t, 1t
feels like it had bullet hanging to it," When
Ireentered the room Sale was practlcing a
waltz, and Bette tuning my guitar. Salie then
requested a song; Bette sang one of the sweet
est airs ever heard, and at its close the door
bell rang. Somebody's come" said Sallie,
'who can it be Mollie?' ''Really Betty, l
havn't been down to see, l answered with
assumed Indifference "Perhaps Bette mother
has sent for her, or sent her word that Mr..
Smith has arrived" 20, yes,perhaPs 50! please
run down and see Mollie'' "Indeed, Bette,
it may be some negro having ground peas or
something else to sell, besides" Miss Bette
young gentuImun in de parlor 'quirng for you'll
said Jane, the black girl handing Bette card.
"For me!'' exclaimed Bette taking the card,
then reading with surprise the name of Alger-
non Smith. 90, Mollie, he has comeP' .'Who
Bettie?" ''Why Algernon-I mean Mr.. Smith.
Please run down Moie, that's good girl. |
am not acquainted and you can introduce me- "
"But who is to introduce me, pray?" 30, you
are at home you know, and it will look better
for you to go first Very well, but mind
and bring Sale with YOU ''Never fear Mol
lie, " said Sallie, "Im determined to see Betty
young elephant!'
Bette did not keep Mr.. Smith waiting more
than half an hour, ere she made her appear
ance followed by Sallie. Introductions passed
and after much bowing and scraping, Mr.. Smith
began to apologize for not having patience to
wait until next day to be presented to Bette,
declaring that he felt so lonely and disappointed
in not being able to see her before retiring, that
he was confident he could not have slept wink
all night, and 50 made bold to call while she
was visiting and present himself.
After thanking him, and expressing her re-
gret at her fathers absence, Bette branched
off on another subject, in order to relieve the
young man Of his apparent bashfulness and
timdity. Sallie and joined the conversation
with much spirit, and Mr.. Smith very soon made
himself at home as ifhe'd been born in that very
room.
"Yes'm, there's good deal of fun to be seen
at college," replied the young gentleman in an.
swer to question from Bette, whilehe stroked
his moustache with self-satisfed air. owe
have lots O. fun every night. Oyster suppers
champagne parties, cigars, cards, and all thai
sort of thing you know
'Isn't he handsome? said Bette, speaking
low to me, II declare I'm desperately in love
already How nicelyhe dresses, and what {
dear, sweet little moustacheP' Their turning
to Mr.. Smith, and complacently smoothing
down her collar said, Il like college students
they are so merry" Jolly dogs, all of 'em
wish you could be one-haye such jolly tlmes'
II believe l would rather not be one, replet
Bette reddening. "Clever fellows" continued
Mr.. Smith. Come round to my den ever.
night-roast eggs-drink up all my wine
smoke up all my cigars, and all that!'' Betti
moved uneasily in her chair, and again wbIs
pering to me, said, perhaps, Mollie, Mr.. SmitI
may be little tightl' mo such thing! TAX
him to Texas" 'How do you like Texas, Nh
Smith," ''Fine country splendid! such fertl
lands-such good range for cattle! you ough
to 90 out there!" Bette bit her lips. IN
doubt about the range being excellent for calves
Judging by specimen" was Sallie's pert, ant
unexpected rejoinder. Unexpected, beeaus
Sallie was never heard to say anything SO sar
castle before; we didn't suppose she could
Mr.. Smith didn't seem to "tgke," Bette, did
and litter proved it. 30, yes. never say
such countryl magnificent prairies, eovere'
al the wear with millions Of wild flowers, Of
thousand different colors Black, brown, gray
green, red, blue and white" Indeed sue
colors are very rare Is Texas healthy?
20, YES. People out there never die, exceI
with old age and some other diseases. Health
country! Doctors all starve." Don't the
S,llio GCDOp