The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1863-01-01
Eli GODDARD'S FORFEIT.
CONCLUDED.

Now Seth Pike, the judge, had been
wondering where Eli Goddards hand
kerchier was; so whom he heard that
this was the last forfeit, he felt sure it
was Ellis. He had reserved for him
task which he knew from experience
was a hard one to perform, especially
for any one disposed to difidence, so he
sentenced Eli to "bow to the wittiest,
kneel to the prettiest and kiss the ont
he loved best" Ellis heart beat violent
". How could he perform such a task
before such room full? How could
ho dare to kiss Carrie Brooks in pub.
lie assembly, when he had never been
courageous enough to attempt such a
thing in private, and he would kiss no
one else. for that would not be acting
the truth, and Eli was very strict on
matters of truth. He did not know
what to do! All eyes were turned to-
ward him, and every one was calling for
him to redeem his pledge. He made
an effort and stood up, wishing himself
anywhere but there, when to his delight
servant announced that supper was
ready. Mrs. Baldwin requested the
gentlemen to take partners for the sup.
per room, and it was decided that Eli
sh ould redeem his forfeit afterward.
AS usual on such occasions, all the
pretty girls were secured by the expert
enced party goers, and the young, tim
i'd gentlemen had to put up with what
was left. Fortunately, Eli was quite
near to Carrie, and to her he offered his
arm. On their way to the room, he
found that they were out Of step, and in
making hop to get into step, he troC
on Sarah Blake's dress, and ripped il
nearly off at the waist. While stopping
ito apologize, and find a pin to repair
damages, the crowd passed on, and
when Eli reached the room with his fail
companion, they were obliged to station
themselves on the outer edge of the cir.
Gle, near the door.
.r The table presented a dazzling ap,
pearance. Pyramids of blanc mango,
and monuments Of ice cream lowered
above ramparts Of nice jelly and char
lotte russc sponge cake, stewed oysters
nuts, apples and oranges were placed il
admirable confusion. The gentlemen
werc expected to help their partners
Carrie said she would like some oyster
aPd some frozen pudding.
Poor Ely completely nonplussed
He had heard of oysters, and knew
them by sight, but as for frozen pud
ding he didn't know what i n the worl
that could be; but he decided to do hi,
best; so he elbowed his way to the table
and after some vain attempts he con
trived to fill saucer with oyster stew
and finding it took all his skill to kee
it from spilling, he thought it best t
return with that and get the pudding
so he started for his partner. He wa,
soon wedged in between fat man anC
pretty large sized lady. He waited Z
little for them to move, but they di,
not; he made bold push, and woul
have got through nicely, had not tn
exertion caused him to spill some ofth
hot oysters down the back of the fat la
dy's dress. She screamed and startle,
Eli so that he jumped and knocked tn
arm of the fat gentleman just as he ha
his fork raised to his mouth, conse
quently the fork was forced two.third
its length down the gontleman's throat
taking away in its course large por
ton of cuticle. 1t is needless to recor
the exact words uttered on the occasion
but Eli stammered out an excuse, an
struck out in another direction. Atlas
he reached Miss Brooks and presente
her with the saucer, when 10! there wa