Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-09-04
MIR. COLLINS. CROQUET
[Nom the Danbssy Neus.

| Sci.
From the Danb1y Neus.l
Croquet, that eminently fascin-
ating game, was introduced on the
premises of the Collins's, Friday.
In the afternoon Podge's boy br0't
up the set. and just before tea Mrs.
Collins arranged the Wickets; and
Sc, on that delicious afternoon they
took out their mallets and balls,
and commenced the game.
Now, Emmeline, playfully OBJ
served Mr.. Collins, don't you be-
gin cheating at the start. If you
do, the game will be prostituted
to mere gambling, and We'll in
jure our moral natures in trying
to build up our physical
People who are so ready To
charge against others may need
close watching themselves, young
man. said she, in the same spirit;
land | mean to keep sharp eye
on YOU
Then they both laughed.
But il will be good thing for
you, he added, with tinge of
tenderness in his voice; you ere
kept cOeped up in the house SO
thot you hardly get breath of
fresh air. This will give you &
ercise, and keep you out of doors,
too
You are always thinking ofme,
(said she) as her eyes grew moist.
You need the outdoor as much
as l do, but you are too unselfish
to think of YOURSELF
And thus exchanging senti-
ments which did credit to both
their hearts, the game progressed.
After passing through the center
wicket. Mr.. Collins used her ball
to help himself through the other
wicket to the upper stake. Then
he left her near the first wicket
and struck for the stake, which,
being about eight inches distant,
made him confident. The ball
missed by about an eighth Of an
inch
Il declare he exclaimed in vex-
alton.
Then she, having watched his
rapid progress, now struck for him
and hit him, and a minute later
his ball was spinning through the
grass to the other end of the play
ground. She was in position for
her wicket, and passed through it
and the others to the stake, but
missed it. Then he came up by a
well-directed blow to within two
inches of the stake. But she went
for him again, and when she got
through she was three wickets be-
yond the stake, and his ball was
at the other end Of the ground
again and his brow was finely COR
rugated. He stepped nervOusly
toward It, 1t was quite evident
that he was not unruff1ed. When
his turn came again he drove back
to the stake, but struck a wicket,
and rebounded 80 close to her that
she easily hit him, and again in
troduced him through wickets he
was not for, and then sent him fly
ing again. Her success caused her
to laugh, and he heard it.
You think you are pretty smart
but I'll get even with you, said
he, without saoiling.
You'll have to play better than
you have DONE she pertinently
suggested
/ think know as much about
croquet as you do he said, still
with straight face. If you had
any fairness about you, you'd let
me have that stroke over when /
was up to the stake You knew /
slipped as we'll as I did, he said,
growing red in the face.
No, j didn't know anything
about it, she replied. taking on
little color.
Il say you did,
And I say / didn't. But ii you
are going to play this game, why
don't you 60 ah ead?'
I'll play when get ready he
answered,turning white about the
mouth.
If you amt going to play, you'd
better 60 into the house and shut
up she suggested, raising her
voice.
Don't you talk to me that way
he cried, sor I'll make you sorry
for 1t, you braxen faced hussy.'
Hussy! hussy = she screamed
'Ain't you ashamed of yourself,
John Jacob Collins, to call your
wife . hussys .iussy, am /, you
viiiaiaY Hussy. - IL, you missr-