The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-06-08

much conversation; still he had sense enough
TO perceive that something was expected of
him after the numerous slices of bread and
butter and sundry cups OF tea that had passed
down his capacious throat, SO he invented
few stories relative to his career, always TAX
ing care that he should appear in the most
favorable OF lights; and ere the evening had
closed he had so far succeeded in winning the
goodwill of Susan and her friend the cook
(who accompanied herr that Herr Kiddini
was the principal subject of conversation be-
tween them throughout the week.
How great was the astonishment of both
when, few days AFTER a thumb-stained let
ter arrived for Miss Biffin, inclosing an or
der" for two for the upper boxes at the
theater at which Kiddini was engaged, and 2
greasy half-sheet of note-paper, with the
words lotto Kiddini's ccmpts' scrawled
thereon! The receipt of this courtesy de-
manded that Susan should, with cooks as
sistance, eoncoct a letter of thanks to the
great terpsichOrean artist. The letter took
some time to write, because, as the cook re-
marked, it wouldn't "do to be too for'ard or
yet too distant" However, at last the hap
py medium was arrived at, and with many
bushes suttusing her countenance Susan dis
patched ria the postoffice her first communi-
cation to Herr Kiddini. The next thing was
to obtain the consent Of Mrs. Jobbins that
they might spend the evening together, be-
cause Susan declared she wouldn't 60 with
out cook, and the latter wouldn't accept the
ticket for herself and friend on any account
whatever Although it was awkward for both
to be out on the same evening, Mrs. J.'s con-
sent was won, and in the brightest of bon
nets and warmest of cloaks the two girls
went to see the pantomime in which Herr
Kiddini took such an active part. Prosperity
had not shed its golden rays upon the theater
of late and there was plenty of "paper" to
be had, so that when Susan and cook took
their seats in the stuffy upper boxes and
looked around them they were not SO dis
concerted as might have been the case if
money and not "orders" had prevailed. The
pantomime was played first that evening, SO
that the girls were not kept long
upon the tenter-hooks of expectancy.
The "opening" seemed rather long; but
there is an end to everything, and at
length the lamps were lowered for the
"carpenter's scene," which was to usher in
the glories of the transformation. The usual
bevy of fairies appeared suspended in the air,
there were the customary banks of impossi-
BILE flowers and the usual combination Of col
ored fires. Then Kiddini in his parti-colored
harlequin dress bounded upon the stage. the
very perfection of grace and agility-at least
so whispered Susan to cook, who nodded
acknowledgement throughout the rest Of the
performance he was to them the only object
ofinterest. The merry sallies of the clown,
the senile observations of the pantaloon, the
red-hot poker and the spirited "rally' were
in their eyes mere adjuncts to the dancing of
Kiddini, and only gone through in order that
| he might have an interval uf rest. Susan en-
We'd the active young person who appeared
/ as Columbine, and began tc think that dane
| ing with Herr Kiddini must be the greatest
| pleasure life could afford. But just when
the comic business" seemed at its height
the green baize dropped upon tableau of
which their hero, supporting the columbine
on his knee with one hand, was the princi-
pal figure, and the pantomime was at an end.
Cook had barely time to comment upon the
LONELINESS" OF the performance when Susan
felt gentle tap upon her shoulder, and,
looking round, recognized the friend by
whom she had been introduced to Kiddini.
You amt going for TO stop for the drama,
areyou? Kiddini said he'd sent you order,
and he gave me one, too. Liza (the speakers
wife) is outside the boxes, and we're off, be-
cause Kiddini said he'd come round and have
a bit of supper with u.s. You'd better come,
too"
The girls looked at each other, and then be-
gan to compare opinions. The friends house
was down news, within stones throw oil
their masters, and as perhaps (as Susan sug-
stupid thing, they decided to leave the thea
ter with their friend. The chief inducement
| with both Susan and cook, however, was
that there was a probability of Kiddini par
taking of supper with tkem.
Their hopes in this respect were not disap
pointed. The great man arrived at Their
friends house almost as soon as they did, and
agreeable and talkative than usual. As if by
a preconcerted movement Susan suddenly
found herself alone with the harlequin, and
ere her friends re-entered the room she had
become engaged" to him, and had promised
to become his bride in the following July
six months hence.
How long Kiddini took to declare his passion
is amoot point. Susan declared they were moi
alone more than five minutes, and that Otto's
confession burst upon her like bombshell
but cook averred that the arrangement tool
more than half an hour to settle.
That night Kiddini saw the girls home
and the sharp ears of the cook detected the
sound of kiss while she was descending tht
area-steps, leaving Susan to follow.
After this occasion more "orders" came
and Susan found frequent opportunity o
meeting her Otto, whom, as she conidentl,
informed the trusty cook, "she loved NOR,
and more every time she saw him." at whicl
synpathizing cook would give an approvin,
smile, and remark: "Very natural, my dear.
Susan's conscience occasionally smote he
when she recalled her behavior to youns
Perks, the grocer, who, cook said, "felt he
conduct much, and was reduced to skelin
TOM" for the little quarrel which had sepa
rated them had really originated with her
, and though all was over between them, ant
she was engaged to another, che could no
bear to think that she had caused him an,
/ suffering. She often fancied she would hav
liked to 60 round to his shop and confes
} herself in the wrong, but after consultation
, with cook she came to the conclusion tha
) such course of proceeding might inspir
( hopes in the young mans breast which coul
3 never be fulfilled; so she resolved that matter
. should remain as they were. Susan was OF
l sensitive nature, and when the rem ark tha
;. had been made by cook relative to The man
, / ner in which young Perks was "fallin
q away" recurred to her memory, it was wit
S difficulty she could restrain the tears tba