The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-01-20
IN THE PALACE OF TRUTH.
The Remarka BILE Experience of MIR. Rich
ardTurner at EErs. Grey Rail.


Richard Turner, Esq, a lawyer, let
us hope of future fame, returning home
the other night in an unenviably bad
humor, found certain dainty little note
awaiting him on his mantelpiece. 1t
had just come, his landlady said, and
slowly tearing open the envelope, Dick
read as follows: r r<
Ny DEAR Mr.. TURNER: Many thanks for
yaf lovely flowers, which have been greatly
admired twas like your thoughtfulness to
remember my birthday when had almost
forgotten it myself | was so sorry to have
missed you this afternoon.
a Sincerely yours, & 10 z e SsfTE 400
.- FLORENCE REDIFER.
A very, gracious little note. but for
some reason it appeared to afford its
reader but small satisfaction. Dick read
it twice with a curling lip, then tossing
it into the scrap basket, he lit a cigar.
stretched himself in an easy chair and
thoughtfully observed through the
smokewreaths that began to float around
ms head: " What a precious little liar
she is. As if | didn't see her. ten min
utes after she was not at home to me
this afternoon, start out driving with
Tom Baker in that confoundedly ierky
dog cart of his. Shouldn't wonder if
he had jerked her out before they got
home; and serve her right. tool Whv,
snip, what is the matter with YOU. sir?''
snip was the skye terrier, who failing
70 understand why he hadtbeen sighted,
was seeking to secure his masters no.
tlcs by sitting upright and waving his
front paws to and fro in gentle and
deprecating fashion.
Did | hurt your feelings, poor little
ooy?' said Dick, tenderly. sWell,. l
wouldn't, L assure you, for dozen lit
Tie flrts like Florence Reiifer, but do
think, Snip, and | expect you to agree
with me, that we would all be much
better off if women and men, too, would
say out truthfully what was in their
minds instead Of this eternal beating
around the bush. Why can't people be
ailttle more candid with their fellow
creatures instead Of fooling them to the
Top OF their bent and then laughing be-
hlnd their backs? Do you know, Snip?"
Snip didn'G know, but he was the last
Dog IN the world to- confess his igno-
rance, so assuming a look of wisdom
which Solomon might have envied, he
gave mysterious little bark that could
mean anything and composed himself
again to listen.
Just eight o'clock" said Dick, con-
suitlng his watch. In two hours I've
got to dress and go to Mrs. Grey's ball,
the blggist bore of the season | haven't
q doubt; but there is no escaping it.
Aren you glad, Snip, you don't have
togo to balisp'' = ....s-..ss
), onip barked again, this time in an af-
nfhatfve manner He always accom-
noa aated himself to his masters moods
anu was we'll accustomed to being
questioned. Alert and vigilant he
watched the cigar dwindle down bv
siow degrees. while he waited in we'll
pred silence for a renewal of the con-
sersatlon. But Dick was drowsy and
oioss' and when the cigar was smoked
OUT he turned his head aside and fell
iaSt asleep, while his little dog, curled
s.oh'entedly around his feet. looked up
ih.o MS masters face with world of
paeieht love in his honest brown eyes,
seven, eight, nine, ten! Was it pos
sioie that he had slept nearly two hours
aad m the clock was really striking temp
uiek Jumped up, glanced at his watch
70 make sure and with stified groan
prepared to induct himself into his
suit s This was never very rapid proc
.ss with him and by the time he en-
seIeu Mrs. Grey's brilliantly lit-up
mousse the great clock in the hall was
Pu,n'lhg III, to quarter past eleven.
me- rooms were crowded and sitting
! not The very flowers appeared to
uroop under the glare and the heat, all
bbacept some deep red roses which had
Seen S arranged in sentence over the
uoofway and whose glowing hearts
presented the most sumptuous and in
teuse s plt OF coloring, even in that many
naea apartment. 1t was strange, but
nlcS M found himself unable to read that
sentence, seen'ehee, although composed of only
~ HISS !, short words. The language, even
sne ieelefs, were unknown to ffin1 and
tpa tpf aali a minute he stood puzzling over
one mystery. Then the incoming crowd
sen.iy showed him sside, and abandon
'ng The effort he made the best of his