Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-03-03
VOL. ".

.
was still calling for me. came down
with many apologies, aud away We drove,
Before we had ~ot quarter of mile. he
called cut-"Hallo inst ike me. For
gottenmy hiSee,lox, Drive back az once" F."
"Stoh sir" | said, smiling, q have
thought OF that, and pulled out u match
I from my pocket. He would have huggcdl
me for this forethoaght lie said il showed
such true smoking instinct. II certainly
dill.
"JuSt i;ncy.a he said, holding up his
7 cigar; II should have Let tins 0nt. and
where should | have been then We don't
/ pass village or even cottage ON the mad
60 Throe-cruSs Abbey and there's not a
house within miles Of it. Or else he adj
ded, netlectively, II must have gone On
smoking the whole day and the whole OF
dinner tell you Solemnly, think !
should die II \ lost my AFTER dinner smoke v
was little facetious on this, making
imaginary plans ~ 10 low the sacred flre
might have been kept in, or propagated F;
making the coachman keep IL alive during
dinner, and the man-servant during the
eoaehmsnS dinner, and relieving both.
~Rut only think Of the risk, he said !;
suppose the cigar Z Il ehoked, or the fel-
low got drunk, and let it 90 out What
would become Of me then | declare, =
he said, with feroeity. I'D have the fellow
broke and dismissed, ia work heaven
and earth 10 punish him"
Quite right | said. laughing "But
am happy 20 save the poor devil from such
n fate"
SYou would not,n he said, sternly,
where my pipe Is concerned. I'D let moth
ing stand in the way. really believe il
to be the elixir Of hfe; and any one that
mterferS with that supply OF vital energy
look on as interfering with my life. And
| would deal with him accordingly
The cigars were certainly very good,
and. after smoking two, he said. "Now,
my boy, for q bit Of self-denial. Not one
more till after lunch, or dinner, as We NAV
call it; and then how we shall relish il
That's the real time fnr enjoyment"
We were now at Three cross Abbey,
little old ruin, in the middle Of a sort Of
waste or common, with hardly tree or
house near. Ii was iavorite spot for
picnic, as the ruin was picturesque, and
moSs-grown, and shady, shelter'ng Us all
from the sun. Jessie and her aunt were
there waiting 10 meet US; Jessie looking
lovely, as, indeed, old Foxberry as good as
told her during lunch.
"When you're both installed in fine
house, she'll look all the better for such
frame Some one" be added. with mean
ing, 'win take care OF you BOTH
Dinner was over, and he called to his
man 20 bring him his cigar-case out Of the
carriage
81 never was in better humor for ci-
ear, and for good cigar he said. "AfteF
that little repast. too, shall enjoy il the
more. Here Is a good eorpulent one for
you, and another for me. always say.
give me my smoke, and the world may
turn upside down. Ay, and every human
being in it, too, . he added.
We laughed at the jest. Such little
tribute was only due TO him after the zen
eruus declaration about Us.
''6ive me light" he said. sticking the
cigar into a hole in the extreme corner OF
his mouth, position which fanatical smo-
kers are fond of.
/ drew out my bundle OF matches with
triumph. II have half boxful in my
rocket said. "It never does To be with
out them" And | rubbed one on my
boot-heel. Ii missed fire | tried anoth-
er. Itmissed also. | tried third. Ii
missed again. I4It Sbf#t
''Wkat are yon about ?" he said, testify.
r'You are yefy awkward; thought any
fool could strike match -n
SNy boot Is damp.f' I said nervousiy
am try the wall here | did so, and
failed with three more in succession.
He now lost all patience. "You are a
more stupid fellow than ! took YOU for
Here give 'em to men He tried himself,
but in vain they all failed one after the
other. felt my heart sinking.
The damp must have got at them,n
faltered. trying again.
81 hate delays he said in passion. sit
spoils my smoke. Are you noodle 70
"Why," cried Jessie. who had been look
ing at one Of themclosely, nthey are safety
matches! They light only upon the box"
Old Foxberry flung his cigar over the
wah IN a Ghry. He gave me one look and
walked away to the carriage. rushed in
despair TO the coachman and the footman
..For Heavens sake, match Twenty
pounds for one" whispered hoasely.
lord bless the man n said the former,
starting, "what dye mean ~
"a match, match Quick, common
lucifer match y
gsI ought TO have one, he said, feeling in
his waistcoat pocket. "Wait-no-yes-
there is one do believe.n
He pulled out one-saved! IL was as
precious as a gem, that little splinter OF
wood Alas with fraying in his pocket
the top had all worn off. IL was no good
struggling with fate. bowed my head
and submitted. All the way back old
Foxberry never opened hts lips. When he
got out he complained Of being i'll, and said
TO the housekeeper-"That blackguard had
done it purposely, in hopes Of killing me
but I'll be even with him." The next day
he altered his win
snow" added Bob, 'admit that have
reason to loathe the sight of safety match
es that light only on the box