The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1875-10-21

| .'But you loved him. remarked
Bob.
"No, l didn't! My affection was
wasted long ago upon one who never re.
turned my love- and the fast-fadine
idol sighed heavily.
They had covered my face by this
time, and were standing few steps
from where lay.
'About how long ago, 'RushaP'
asked Bob.
"A year, or such a matter,'' with
another deep sigh, which ended in fit
of sneezing.
''About the time went away?" in
terrogated the cautious Bob, coughing a
little.
"Well, yes, some res near" assent
ed my dear affianced.
'sNow, Jerusha, you don't mean to
insinuate that IN
II don't mean to insinuate any thing,
Bob Smith," and the angelic sweet
ness of her voice was somewhat sharp
ened.
t'Now, see here, Russia, Iloved YOU
ever since you were knee high to a
gopher, but thought when you came
home that you was sweet on that other
chap; but swan l believe you liked me
all the time.'
'.Oh, Bob" said my was to be, in a
gushing sort of way.
esMine own Jerusha - remarked
Bob.
Then l heard a subdued rush, accom-
panied by violent lip explosions I tried
to kick or CRATE my teeth, or do some
thing to relieve my outraged feeling,
but not kick or CRATE could raise.
1t was an awful fire to be in, but had
to stand it, or rather lay it, so lay still
and let 'em alone until they got tired of
It. and then they went out, and was
again left to my own pleasant refec-
tions.
Night came, and so did a lot of Young
fellows with their girls to sit up with
me; and they had a jolly time of it, al
though it was against my principles to-
enjoy it on SO solemn an occasion.
1t seemed an age until morning, but
it came at last, and they went away. r
heard them say that was to be buried
that day at o'clock, and was begin
ming to feel decidedly shaky, when Je-
rusha and her mother came into the
room and began arranging for the
funeral.
'.'Rusha," said her mother, sshere
is that snuf-colored suit of poor Ben's;
of course he will never have any more
use for clothes, SO just put them away
among your carpet rags; they'll make
splendid stripe"
Now that particular suit of clothes
was just the neatest one I ever owned,
arm-holes, collars, Wristbands, but
tons, all just the thing, and my blood
boiled to hear them talk SO coolly of
using them for stripes in rag carpet.
They kept on talking as they swept,
busted, and cleaned up the room.
bob says he will take the Martin
farm to work this year." said Jerusha,
cheerfully, ''and as soon as we are
married we will go to housekeeping in
that little cottage close to the road.
Now must get my carpet done just as
soon as possible, for want it in that
nice little front room. These dnds of
Ben's will make out enough rags, I
guess. His folks live SO far away they
will never inquire about his clothes.
Novb if it wasn't for the looks of it.,
we Could ask old Mother Smith about
coloring yellow; she's sure to be here
to-day. :"
was getting very mad now, indeed.
felt that the crisis was near, and that
should either die or explode if they
not let my snuff colored suit alone
Jerusha picked them up-I knew it, for
[ heard the buckles and buttons jingle
and made for the door. I tried to
shake my fist and yell at her, but all
in vain. I lay there, outwardly as quiet
As a lamb, inwardly boiling with wrath.
It was too much! The deepest trance
would not have held out against the loss
of that suit. With powerful effort |
'prang up and screamed. Jerusha
dropped my clothes and her mother the |
luster, and both fed from the room
md house, never stopping until they |
reached DR.. Browns, across the street. |
With difficulty / managed to get my |
clothes, | had just got them fairly on,
When Mrs. Jones and her daughter,
by numerous company of
men, women, and children, came peer
ng cautiously into the room. sat on
ny board, and looked at them. Such
! scared looking crowd was enough to
muse an owl, SO / laughed; I knew it
vas unbecoming, but I couldn't have
lelped it if they had chucked me into
ny cofin-which the undertaken was
ust carrying past the window-and
,uried me the next minute. / laughed
ntil I Jared the chair out from one
nd of the board, and down I went with
crash. Then the Doctor ventured into
he room, saying rather obviously: $50
'ou are not dead yet, BenP''