The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-03-23
Sub grimtimg
"Blue Boy" Or the Letter in the Goblet.
From London Society.


suffered from influenza. She sneezed fit
fully a small rain, breathed hard and uncer-
tainly, and was generally chill and discom-
posed.
About noon respectable but ugly dog,
OF no breed whatever, was seen trotting
through the narrow, slushy streets in the
neighborhood of Blackwell His journey
was clearly the result of design Whatever
his end, it was plain that he did not lose
sight Of that end for moment He found
it uncomfortable, no doubt, to be encrusted
with mud, and to be subjected to all the
difficulties of an animated pie attempting
locomotion. But neither discomfort nor
difficulty could check his steady, persistent
trot towards the East India Docks.
Postum felt himself wronged Why had
they not let him come with the carriage to
see Blue Boy off? Why should he have
been driven to the expedient of slipping his
collar at the last moment-a dishonorable
as we'll as difficult feat to accomplish !?
Did not Postum take as lively an interest in
Blue Boy as any one? Did he not know Gas
well as any Of the perpendicular animals
could that Blue Boy was going other side
of the round world, where his legs would be
sticking up this way; and that before he
could get back, dog days and sui phurous
water must come and go once at least /?
Why, then, should he be excluded from the
privilege of bidding Blue Boy goodbye?
AS Postum trotted across the open space
which lies between the Blackwell railway
station and the river, he raised his nose in
quiringly.
Ocean Ripple" Twelve hundred tons) was
being warped out of dock. She was necess-
arily close alongside the quay, The seamen
grouped upon forecastle could talk to their
weeping friends ashore. Postum stood close
to the edge of the quay, regardless of haw-
sers, from which he was in some peril.
Suddenly his tail began to wag furiously.
A gold-bound cap appeared above the
bulwarks. sudden strong whistle was
heard and pair of eyes, staring widely,
came in view Not that Blue Boy saw any
thing particular, or felt inclined for music. |
But had he not stared and whistled, his
throat might have burst, and certainly some.
thing shining and unsailor-like would have
trickled down his cheeks
An honest Saxon head that was, with its |
fair hair, wide-sweeping eyebrows, bold, |
prominent chin, and clear daybreak eye. A |
handsome impudent, funny old head. 1t |
belonging to Blue Boy, midshipman (mer-
chant servicel aged seventeen.
''My stars!' y exclaimed the lad in bas-
soon-like tone, as he realized Postum. |
'And what the dickens brings you, old |
chap p A5
'Possum understood the question, and re-
piled toit, as it appeared to him, with clear
ness 1t took Blue Boy long, however, to
understand the answer. At last he said, 81
know. Come to see me off, ell? Good dog!
Now, goodbye, and go home. Love to the
Governor, and whole lot of it to Elite.
Don't forget me, Postum, when come
back" And hero Blue Boy abruptly dis
appeared.
'Possum obeyed, willing, though sad
Heaven bless u.s." he said to himself, as
he logged home 1--WE dogs have our feel
ings, although men ignore them. That boy
now! I'd do anything in the world for him
And yet what life he has led me! tying
every conceivable thing to me that was cal
culated to alarm or irritate dog-throwing
me most days into the pond, though he
knew | hated water like cat-setting me
at harmless kittens which it went against
my stomach Cor CONSTRUCTION the two are
identicaD to interfere with, and at big dogs
which 1T was impossible for me to lick! But
he has smelt true through it all; and I'll
stick to him. Yes we have our feelings we
dogs. Forget him. Let's see !"
1t was a long way home, but Postum
knew the road well, having travelled it two
days ago, when Blue Boy came down to look
after his chest.
Elite felt that day asif her heart had been
torn out She scarcely noticed 'Possum's re-
turn, although her eyes were watching him
as he crept round to the stable yard, look
ing up at her mutely, to deliver his mes
sage But she stared much out of window
in a vague general way, thinking Of her ia
theirs ward Blue Boy, and of Ocean Rip
pie" Twelve hundred tons; thinking, to,
sometimes, it was but right that Nature
should be holding damp pocket-hander-
chief of fog to her great blue eye, this day
OF sad partings-and then growing hot and
moist again about her own pretty brown
eyes
Ettie though only sixteen, was her wild
ower-father's housekeeper But it was not
easy to houseEeep now. ''What quantity
of Goals is to be ordered please Miss?" She
nearly answered ''twelve hundred tons.n In
sending certain comforts to an aged invalid
in her district, she narrowly escaped telling
her page to carry with him San experienced
surgeon"
Amidst Elites burdensome household
duties, Hannah, an old servant, was emf
nently annoying to her to-day. She con-
tlnually urged her young lady to ''recon-
Gle herself" Reconcile herself to what
Inpudence what did Hannah know about
it, '" ''''U'
This calculated spinster and Blue Bow had
been, from the infancy of the latter on cat
and dog terms. She had done her duty by
him with spiteful patience while he was at
home. But she exuted inwardly now that
he was gone. And Elite knew this, and |
was afraid that she hated Hannah, as she |
watched Der pungent little face, reminding
one somehow, she thought, of the smell Of |
gas.
Papa-lawyer papa, came home as usual
to dinner. The evening had no wheels to
its chariot Blue Boy was not there to sing
''Fhree Fishers" with effects, nor to play
with Elite the accustomed laundering game
OF chess, IN which she would let him have
back his queen as often as lie lost it-which
was three times at least
Brown November and hoary December
both saw Elite to Disadvantage But on the
twenty fourth of the latter month her spirits
revived. She busted herself in preparing
.Oi " '"iOtAO" .ohtertdiHlnenG Win rellSn
The party would be small. An old maiden
cousin, bachelor cousin, papa and Elite
would constitute it. But ali should be per-
feet in comfort and delicacy, so Elite deter
mined.
1t was a custom in the house, after the
Christmas dinner, to fill silver CUP with
spiced wine, and to pass it Ono matter how
many times) round the table, that each
might name, and drink to an absent one
Elite must bring out the old goblet, new
er used but for this purpose. She went to
the plate closet, thinking of the laughing
boy who had drank out of that cup last year,
and had refused to name any absent person.
because, as he said, he didn't care a rap for
absentees just then. She unfolded the Green
baize, and took out the goblet. Why. There
was something inside it-a notei -