The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-17
Major Boots.

Once upon time a certain gentleman,
who lived splendidiy and did not pay his
debts, owed his shoemaker large bill, and
the shoemaker having been told to call
again many times, and having written notes
without end asking for a settlement, re-
solved to disgrace his customer by expos
ing him to his friends the very next time
lie gave one of those large dinner parties
which 30 excited the creditors Ire.
Accordingly, having seen the wagons of
the caterer stop before the door, and watched
the watcrs enter one by enc, Mr.. Shoe
maker, attircd himself In his Sunday suit,
and with his little bill elegantly written
ont, awaited the appearance Of the car
riages and when at least fifty had arrived,
set down their burdens and departed, stallked
up the doorsteps like vengeful ghost, and
ringing the bell furiously, found it opened
for him with startling celebrity, and stood
face to face with tall, black waiter, white
glovsd and stately
"Whcre's Dir. Cheatem 2" whispered the
shoemaker.
"Gentlcmen's dressing room, second floor
back, y responded the waiter.
Some one else had arrived, and was
treading on his heels. a vision of splcn-
dor, in the most wonderful, soft, white
wraps floated past him.
Ladies', front room, second floor, gcn-
tlcmc1i, buck, " repeated the waiter.
Mr Shoemaker was hustled forward, hat
In hand, and saw his delinquent debtor in
all the elegance of dress coat button hole
flower, and white cravat, bowling to, sllak-
ing hands with and smiling upon aristo-
cratic personages innumerable.
The sight famed anew tho flame of the
tradesman's just wrath. lie marched for
ward, planted himself directly before the
elegant Mr. Chcatem, and stared him in
the face.
But Cheatem did not wilt. He knew his
guest we'll enough and he understood his
purpose; but what hc did say, was:
'Bcg pardon for the moment I've for.
gotten your name."
''Have your Then perhaps you'll re-
member me when l toll you that made
your boots."
''Now, If you'll trouble yourself to repeat
these last four words rapidly, you will find
that you don't soy, as you believe you do
Il made yoatr boots, but, Il majur boots. >"
The lucky Cheatcm detected this fact on
the instant.
''blajor Bootst" he cried, demonstra
lively shaking hands. "Dcar, dear; how
could forget YOU for moment! Delighted
10 see you-delighted. Mrs. Chif1ins, let
INC introduce you 10 my old friend Major
Boots."
$50 glad to know you," responded the
old lady thus introduced. 'I'm sure I've
heard Cousin Cheatem speak of you a
thousand times. Sit down, do, and tell
me who all these people are. Pm quite a
stranger I've isolated myself in Europe so
long. Bit down, Major Boots; lore is a
chair"
The newly -chrlstcncd shoemaker hcsita-
ted moment, but it was not possible for
hlm to cry out: "Pm not Major Boots; Pm
CLAMP, the shoemaker, come for my bill. I"
He found he had not the courage He
crammed his hat under the velvet chair to
which he was motioncd, and subsidized into
angry silence while the old lady went on
''Oh Major, always feel 80 privileged
whom have the opportunity to talk to n
military man. l adore courage. And
wcro you evor wounded2 DO tell me all
about It,"
The bootmaker, finding it necessary to
reply, said ''that he never had been
wounded"
And the old lady wont on:
"Never! How charming! Bore charmed
life, and all that sort of thing Do tell me
all abost IT,"
The shoemaker replied "tbat there was
nothing to tell"
On which that most gushing of old ladies
cried:
"Now. Major, won't believe that. It's
ike the modesty of you celebrated military
men. l know you stormed rcdoubts and
lcd torlorn hopes, and were the only one
LETT OF your regiment, and all that. I'm
sure ! read all about 1t at the time. Oh,
here Is Colonel Hobbs, celebrated English
officer, did something awfully brave in In
da Colonel let ME made you acquainted
with Major Boots, one of our bravest mill.
tary men. He's been telling me all about
the wonderful things he did In the army. |
mean he wouldn't tell me about them
just like all you great men--won't trouble
himself to fight his battles over for an old
woman"
"Aw-awfully charmed, Pm sure" re-
sponded the gallant colonel. lawfully,
aW. Must introduce you to my brother,
Captain Hobbs In the same wegment, with
myself"
The shoemaker had arisen and was look.
Ing down On his business suit.
II didn't intend to---that ISL didn't ex.
pectto be at such swell affair as this, The
drcss-sult."
''Oh, my dear fellow, we always expcc,
you AmeMoan officers to be wough aud