The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-22
OUR cRoQUET CAMPAIGN

Smith was in my rooms. Not thai
there was anything unusual IN that, iol
ichums in early days, when we robbed
the orchard OF that old -eurmudgeon
Brown, in company, climbing the trees
by turns and giving one another mutual
''leg.up," getting the same amount ol
foggfng by the DOCTORS directions, In
,conseq and by strange coincl
denee eyincing the same disinclination
for sitting posture for days arterward-
down TO this very May morning, when
as Smith remarked
1--WE have been called together;
D, what can part us now9'
"a pathetic quotation some what marred
by his finishing the bitter at dfauRht,
while meditated on the proceedings OF
this member Of the firm and looked sadly
on the empty pewter.
Smith, my cbum, was spoken of vague.
ly as ''having money!" much in the same
way as he is suppos ed to have "expecta-
tions," from the Tact of his posse essing al,
aunt, Lady Blackstone, OF fabulous age,
who was good enough to visit our ohaIn-
bers on one occasion and express her
disgust at the "shameless hussies" who
professed TO dust the place, and to wish,
in voice to make your hair stand on
end, that she had "the dusting OF them"
Beyond that circumstance l know noth-
ing of her views'or Intentions.
Neither, says Smith gloomily, does he.
i had no mere work than usual to do
this particular morning, and from the
window was looking into the court be-
low. just enough green to make one
long for the country and the fiesh morn.
ing air coming over the uplands; enough
dust to give one a sensation OF hatred VI
the hot Hagstones.
Counselor Bodger went by with his
clerk, smart and dapper, and bag so
bulky that it constrained Smith to shake
his fist at him, gesture which, as Bod
ger happened to look up at that moment,
he made as best he could into friendly
wave.
There was rattle of letters in the box,
and being of a sanguine temperament,
not knowing what. post may bring
forth, went to investigate, while Smith
made sarcastic reference to the prob
able contents.
No attorney implored our services, no
one knew of anything to sour advan-
tage," but there was hasty scrawl from
W CuuSiu, Deiic ileol tiSy. NoWt udu
always an affection Tor Belle, in my
youthful days carrying toffy in my pock-
ct till it had lost all sembIance OF toffy to
give her mark thereof. She never ap-
preciated it; it may have suggested Bob
SaWyeps apple to her. At all events, it
came to the same end, for ate it my self.
Here is the letter:
"We want two more men for croquet.
Now, Ned, dear, no pretense OF business,
but come over to-day, with friend.
Not to spoon, remember, even with
BELLE"
1 handed it TO Smith.
"All right" said he, after he had read
it; "what time do we go?" Here he
seized railroad guide lying near. "An
hour and half. Now, JONES'" he con-
tinued, impressively, edo not, beg oil
you, my dear boy, ruin your prospects by
indolence.o (Smirh had just break.
tasted). "Hsre, Tom, you can tell any
one inquirlng for US" he stunned my
eye) "that we are engaged ON railway
business"
Tom promised attention with the most
commendabie gravity.
So prompt were Smiths movements
that we were at the station before the
time had expired, took our tickets, and
found ourselves at Stockton Brook in
such q bewilderingly short space oi
time that ! half thought our surround.
ings were part and parcel OF the visions
we sometimes indulge in in our Temple
chambers.
L was rich in cousins, and as locke ed
around did prefer BELIEF There was
the pretty brunette Marion, the blonde
Eva, the tall, graceful Ethel, the petite
Nora, and felt, on the word and honor
OF single man, that l loved them all
Smiths feelings seemed TO coincide
with mine, and concluded he loved
Them all.
Belle approached, a frank, jolly girl
a girl with whom one would wish TO be
on cousinly terms, and for whom one
would leel unlimited cousinly affection.
"You are awtully welcome, Ned. Dop'
(she turned to her companion), s'my
cousin Ned is not dangerous, FOR" u
aside) "he has been in love
W itb me ever since can remember"
And gracious powers! what a vision
burst Oh our eyes, Smiths aud mine!
lido not think could describe Dot, my
Cousins companions; and Smith, to whom
| have applied, confesses 1t is out Of his
mower to do so. l can not say If she
were tall or short, dark or fair; only
youch for creamy complexion, quanti-
ties of rich brown hair, and all the rest
eyes. Smith, too, says eyes; eyes Of the
darkest brown-yelvety, sweet, trusting,
with an expression and depth.
Had ever loved BELIEF doubted it
as / walked by Dots side toward the
house: for our meeting had taken place
on the lawn. She proceeded to give me
an account Of an hour at croquet, when
the men bad cheated awfulIy; "And,"
she continued pitifuly, 1--WE do want
some one 10 take our part"
How sympathized with her! how nv
lips curled in contempt Of their opp0.
nents wilesl How l felt myself Gro
lueting the ball of the opposing powers
rom one end Of the ground to the other
mi der tar-distant prickly shrubs, whence
he searchers should emerge hot, dusty
and angryi How !, in short, fell In love
IN the space Of twenty minutes. Smith
and were cordially welcomed, and soon
af.er our arrival my aunt, taking me on
me side, proceeded to give me few par
,Icujars respecting Dot, otherwise Dora
Elton.
"You will see, Ned, how stand. Gen.
Elton intrusted her to ME with the under
standing that she should have no oppor-
,uuity OF falling in loye-see no one, in
'act. There is no accounting for the abb
,urd ideas men get into their heads, but
,he will be quite an heiress. Still can
not absolutely smut her up, so inyited
.wo safe men, and 1 know neither you
" r..on1 will hatra~ o1nI