The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-12-24
..what for. marmr" cried the poor

"Its swindlingr said the curly fair
one-"downright swindling! We are
partners. And Miss Smith is to lecture
nowhere unless sing ballads in the IN
termissions. It's share and share alike
in the profits and the expenses, and
won't be cheated! And so you may
tell her. landlordr'
The landlord smote his forehead in
despair. :.
the whole 'varsal world ageep Miss
Smith amt here. nor Mary Smith amt,
nor Mrs. Smith. nor none OF the Smiths,
as know Off
Landlord" said the curly lady,
screwing up her thin lips. ''yon are In
the conspiracy against mel"
The landlord uttered groan.
IL wish to goodness I'd never heard
of the whole thing" said he.
ssBut if there's law and justice in the
land, I'll have my rights screamed
the excited lady. ''rll telegraph to
Boston to q lawyer. I'll have up the
constable. rll-"
The landlord was vainly considering
in his own mind whether it was best to
90 under the counter, escape by the
back window or seize his grandfather's
rusty musket from the iron hook where
1t hung above the chimney piece, and
defy the whole party then and there.
when merciful Providence interfered
in his behalf. The depot hack rumbled
up to the door and out stepped tall.
pretty young woman. with deep blue
eyes and bronze-brown hair. French
gray travelling dress and marvelously
composed manner.
"Mary Smithr' said she to the land
lord. "Are my rooms ready? l lecs-
ure here tonight in the lyceum.
'sNever was so glad to see nobody in
my born days." croaked the landlord
..fes, the rooms is ready; but your hus-
band, he's out on the green, and your
mothers here a-waitin' to forbid the
banses. and your pardner a-vowin' and
swearin' she's been swindled. and"
''It's some mistake" said Miss Smith,
in her clear. incisive voice. shave no
husband. My mother has been dead
seven years, and partner Is luxury
in which have never INDUCED myself"
ssThis amt my daughterr' said the
starched female. my Mary Smith has
red HAIR, and she suffers"
.sQuite different sort of person from
my partner" said the lady with red
shawl.
"And my wife weighs two hundred
pounds, and she wears the bloomer cos.
tume," unwillingly confessed the stout
person, who had by this time come IN
from the green, and was standing star
| ing in the doorway.
The landlord heaved q mighty sigh o1
relief.
"Wal," said he. .Idon'tsee but thai
the lectur' may 60 on. arter all"
The three discontinued spirits van
ished.. Miss Smith retreated to hcl
room, and the landlord breathed freely
again.
But in the afternoon train from Bos
ton, q young man, in the undress uni
form of q naval officer, came unexpect
eddy upon the scene.
s'Is this the place where Mary Smith
lectures tonight" he asked Of the land
lord.
II believe so" said that worthy, Sc
cretly wondering If there were an.
more relations to object. ''Ef y0l
want to speak to her, there she is on
in the back garding, readin' poetry un
der the pear trees"
| Polly" said the young ofiicer, lean
ing over the pretty. French-gray shout
der.
| at hear you," said Miss Smith, turn
ing over q leaf and pretending not t
be aware of the pink flush which wa
overspreading her cheek.
"Are you really determined to 60 o
with this public lecturing tour! b
asked quietly.
sWhy shouldn't n" cross uestione'
Miss Smith.
Because don't like it, Polly"
ssYou quarreled with me, said Mary
II beg pardon" said the young off
Ger, you quarreled with me !"
"Do you really CARER said Mar
Smith, melting into softness.
II care more than you viii eve
know" he answered. fervently. Iii
tie Polly, love you! And as for won
! ems rights, you shall have every rigf
you wish, If only you'll give up tn
lecturing business and marry mep'
She smiled hesitated-visibly yiel'
ed.
\, But I've made the engagement"
II "Break it, them" said the Office
, /" The clergyman lives just across Il
green-I had his house pointed out
me. Let's 60 there this very minu
! and get marriedP'
Mary Smith laughed and blushe
. and burst into tears, and finally put b
7 hand into that of the naval officer.
"Have it your own way, said sh
"But don't know what the public W
say"
s.Henceforward," said Captain Lac
& II am to be your public. And my We
!, dict is entirely in your favor"
= So there was no lecture in the Stl
Mountain Lyceum that night. And &
stout man went home, where he fouI
his wife and mother-in-law in . gre
j, rage, the starch female proceeded to t
= nearest camp-meeting, and the cur
= ballad singer composed . new son
called "Love's Triumph" founded