The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-12-25
CHRISTMAS SNIPE HUNT.

so surprised, too; for you know you
expected to remain in st. Louis till
after Christmas. 1t has been awfully
stupid here at Helena since you have
been gone. There has not been a sim
gle party of any kind that I have heard
of. L don't know what 1 should have
done but for that conceited coxcomb,
Raymond. who has been trying his very
best to do the agreeable, and I must
say amused me exceedingly"
What, you don't mean that foppish
New York drummer? Why, he is
greener than cucumbers if he were
turned loose out in the meadows the
cows would follow him. He comes
down here to Arkansas selling Yankee
notions and gimcracks, and struts about
in his new store clothes as though he
were heap better than any fellow in
the State. And so, Kate, he has been
shining around you, has hep"
eyes, but 1 only laugh at him q
lady must have company of some kind,
you know, Henry. If none come along
whom she can laugh with, she some
times is content with one she can laugh
at. This fine New York gentleman
MIR. Augustus K. Raymond he calls
himself-has invited me to the grand
party to be given by Mrs. Gordon on
Christmas night"
But you surely did not accept,
Kate F.; why, heard of this party, and
hurried home from st. Louis before nv
business was half over, on purpose to
ask you to go with me-"
L am extremely sorry, Mr.. Morgan,
that you should be so disappointed
but what was q poor girl to do? T
wouldn't have missed going for the
world, and how could I know that you
would put yourself to so much incon-
venience for my sake p
Now, Kate, this is cruel in YOU.
Why do you call me Mr.. Morgan, and
adopt this lofty tone toward meP We
are old sceoolmates and old friends,
and-and I had fattered myself that
we were very good friends. 1 had even
ventured to hope that some day we
might be still better friends. In fact
but am making myself as great fool
as that fop of notion peddler. My
dear Kate, L scarcely know what I am
saying. 1 only know that I love you
devotedly, and that if you will give me
the least assurance that you love me in
return, 1 shall be the happiest fellow in
Arkansas. Can you give me just one
word of encouragement? ?"
Yes" replied the roguish girl with
provoking brevity, but serious look
Immediately stole over her counte-
nance, and after a few minutes of
silence, while the young man ardently
pressed her hand, she added, as her
downcast eyes were raised again to
meet his "You knew all the while
that you were the only one of my ann
tlemen friends for whom L really cared
anything"
was bold enough to think you
preferred me, dear Kate, or should
never have been brave enough to de-
clare myself. But what's to be done
now about this Christmas party :? That
simpleton, Raymond, shall not go with
you If L have to run him out of town."
"Never fear, Henry, will get rid of
him IN some way. He bored me terribly
before. He would be insufferable
now."
" know how we can get rid of him,
Kate. We young fellows will get up a
sniping party for Christmas eve, and
make him hold the bag"
ooh that will be capital" said
Kate, gayly. "That's just the thing /;
but there's the bell now, and no doubt
it is he himself. Just wait and see how
nicely shall dispose of him. You are
to be my cousin, mind"
A card bearing the name of Augustus
X. Raymond was handed in, followed
a moment later by an over-dressed
young gentleman with waxed NOUS
tache, hair parted in the middle, and
the air generally of one who has got
himself up to make stunning i'm
preston.
GOOD evening, Mr. Raymond. Per-
NIT me to introduce you to my cousin,
Mr.. Morgan"
Delighted to have the pleasure of
your acquaintance, sir. You reside in
Helena, L suppose"
81 live here" replied Morgan,
curtly.
"Ah, then, perhaps you are in the
business. have the honor
to represent one of the leading notion
houses
"No, am not in the trade, inter-
rupted Morgan, dryly.
My cousin, explained the lady, is
in the game business and, apropos of
game, he has just been telling me that
he is going with party of our young
gentlemen on grand snipe hunt to-
morrow evening-Christma eve."
" Yes" added Morgan, and we should
like to have you join us"
"Do go with them, Mr.. Raymond.
do so want a snipe feather to wear in
my hair at the party. They are all the
rage with the girls now. Such beauti-
full feathers they are, too Long and
dropping, with the richest red and yell
low colors. You must go with them
and get me snipe feather, for can't
think of going to the party without one,
and Cousin Henry here, even when he
goes, is never smart enough to secure
me a good feather. Somebody else al
ways gets the privilege of holding the
bag, and so secures the finest of the
feathers"
Certainly I'll go, with great plea
sure, Miss Andrews, that is, if the gen
tlemen really desire that l should honor
them with my company"
OF course We'll feel greatly honored,
MIR. Raymond" said Morgan, "if you
will condescend to join us in one of our
simple Western sports. I can even
promise you the post of honor on the
OCCASION"
Really, you quite overwhelm me. I
shall not fail to be with the party, if /
san be of servicel I am not familiar at
all with-with-what did you call the
h,,3 &