The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-27
A Blighted Pleasure.

dizzy SpOOHdkeI eHJOyeu tue ldStS Vi
a new bliss the other evening. That is
to say, he experienced that exquisite
feeling of soothing content and exhil-
arating serenity that makes itself at
home IN the youthful breast when its
owner for the first time finds himself
bowling over a marble-top table, watch
ing the dancing light in pair of eyes
brighter than hope, while the most be-
witching of rosy lips wade into the ice
cream, and make the silliest nothings
the most precious gems of speech. That's
the way it seemed to Billy. Of course
he will get over it before the bleak
frosts of autumn nip The potatoe vines
and make him chatter in his over-worn
summer suit, as he wonders why in
cr-r-r-r-eation a woman wants to make
refrigerator of herself all the year
round; but just at that time he was un-
dergoing an ecstatic futter about the
heart that filled his soul with singing
birds and honeysuckle. The boy felt on
good terms with all the world, and
didn't worry about expenses. He smiled
as easy as going to sleep, and said witty
things without knowing it till after
ward. Oh, it was jollyl They cooed
and chatted and hah-hahed, and then fell
into confidential whispers, occasionally
looking in the direction of another
couple across the way, but scarcely no.
ticing them.
Not SO, however, the other party.
The man was eying Billy with a wicked
look, and when at length he got up and
started for the cashiers desk the man
followed and tapped him on the shoulder.
"See here, youngster, he said, with
thick breath, "I want word or two
with you privately. Come this way, if
you please" and the stranger stepped
outside of the door.
Billy was in a fog, and little scared.
He didn't like the looks of the fellow,
| and wondered what he could want with
him, but followed with some reluctance.
{" See here, boy" said the man, taking
| a firm hold on Billy's shoulder, "
want to know what sort of remarks you
was making about my wife to that gal
in there. Tell me at onest, or I'll larrup
the ground with yep and the stranger
gave him look that made his marrow
quiver.
Why, bless your life, sir" said Billy
in shaky voice, &C I never noticed your
wife, and didn't say word about her.
l didn't think of such a thing"
"That won't 60 down, little one.
had an eye on you, and time and again
l saw you both look over our way, an
then go to gigglin'. Was you maxim
| fun Of Mariar's clothes? | want tC
know" and the man gave him a cruel
shake.
| 4" I tell you, sir, 'pon honor, we didn't
once think of your wife. Maybe we
might have looked over that way, but
we didn't notice either one of you. We
were talking about something else all
the time, and laughing at our own talk
ing fun of people, sir-I was better
raised"
"Well, bang me, if I don't half be
Blow me, though, if / couldn't a'swort
clothes, an then titterin' about it te
the little schoolgirl with ye. 1 know
she's not rugged up as gay as some wo
men, sonny, an she don't fam on NJ
great sight O style, but she's as good a
the best of 'em, an though she amt t.
say purity, she knows how to keep thu
house lookin' as neat as show winder
an she kin make bushel of pertatur
hold out in hard times al to anythin.
that wears calico, an that's what make
me say, little one, that whoever under
takes to have gay time by pokin' ful
at her when Pm around will wake VI
the worst hornets nest he ever STUN
bled over. Hows' never, there's no harm
done, Johnny, an Pm mighty glad of it
You're bright little feller, an I'd hat
like sin to have to give ye spankin
afore the gal, which l should a'don
had things turned out the way though
they was. It's blamed good joke, aim
it?' and the man laughed with a mos
aggravating gIffaw as he went back t
rejoin his wife.
But Billy felt bad and put out, an
was nearly mad enough to cry. 1t wa
too bad-just when he was feeling S
grand and important have this grea
burly man come along and call hir
"bub," and sonny" and crush him t
earth by talking about Spanking" i
.. voice loud enough for the angel il
side to hear every word. No wonder b
was glum and gloomy the rest of th
, evening, and made no witty speeche
during the promenade to his charmer
home. There will be no giggling owe
: the frigid cream next time.