The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-06-30


heavily. The newspaper OF the nrev;,
ous aay was on small table by the
WINDOW SO took that up, just to pass
away the time, and was soon listlessly
peruslng the advertisements. Ihad not
been sitting thus above a minute or two
when heard slight rustling, as of
lady's dress; simultaneously came three
or iour light footsteps through the, win.
uoW into the room; and before could
look up from my paper or rise from NV
seat musical voice accosted me with.
good morning, uncle; here is your but
ton-hole." -
! started up in no little surprise at
this greeting, which was evidently not
intended fer me; and there stood before
me falry-like maiden of some sixteen
summerssher crown hair falling loosely
from daintily-shaped head; her cheeks
agioW with the healthy morning air she
had been enjoying, and deepened. too.
by rosy blush, when she discovered
her greeting had been unwittinglv ad-
dressed to stranger. She was stand
ing before me, holding out the little
knot of flowers destined for her uncle's
button-hole-how l envied her uncle!-
a very picture of health and life and
happiness and beauty. Her expression
OF unrestrained enjoyment had changed
IN moment to one OF embarrassment
and dismay, mingled with CLEAN of
amusement in her bright eyes as the
humor of the awkward situation we
were In broke upon her. An instanta-
neous mutual agreement seemed to flash
between us. We both broke into a
merry little laugh.
In few moments we were chatting
away like old friends. | fancied nv
fairy seemed to be actually pleased
when announced that I was going to
stay for breakfast; and I had almost
summoned up courage to ask her to
present me in reality with the flowers
she had undesignedly offered to me,
when the entrance of the servant with
the completing dishes for the breakfast
table served as an excuse for her to
leave the room.
She had scarcely gone through the
door, whenI heard again the greeting
- Good morning, UNCLE" followed this
time by an unmistakable sound, which
made me long more than ever to be that
girls uncle. The door opened once
more. stepped forward to meet nv
employer, but suddenly paused. as a.
tall gentleman entered the room whom
| had never seen before in my life. ia
He stood looking inquiringly at me
after sharp '.good morning" was
too embarrassed to make any response.
My first thought was: s.He is some
visitor" but in few. moments the
awful truth dawned across my mind,
that this was in reality the owner of the
house | was in and that by some means
For other had got into the wrong one.
The situation was tremendous, 1 am
naturally cool character; but l was so
taken by surprise and chagrin, that I
could only cumbersome confused apology
about having been invited to breakfast
by Mr.. Robertson; that I humbly apollo
gized for my intrusion and hoped he
would pardon it. So speaking, made
frantic dash at my hat, maddened at
my stupidity, at the loss of my break
fast, and still more at the thought of
never seeing or speaking again to that
charming little lady, who in less than
five minutes found was absolutely in
love with! @s3
/ said a hurried "good morning.
and was trying to make a ghastly at
tempt at a smile as | left the room
when, would you believe itp That tall,
dark man burst out into loud laugh.
l felt ready to knock him down. I
knew how my stupidity would be gay
ly discussed at the breakfast table, be-
fore her and felt my discontinue and
humiliation deeply; but this open mer-
riment at my expense maddened me.
A strange calm succeeded this storm.
1t was caused by some words uttered
by my tormentor. You really must
forgive me: could not refrain from
laughing. My name is Robinson. Your
friend, Mr.. Robertson. lives in one of
the other houses. We frequently get
parcels and letters and even callers
coming to the wrong house; but in all
my experience, we have never had so
amusing mistake so early in the day
as this 0ne." " 81 a
Now, this explanation toned down
my anger considerably; but the words
which followed were like balm to my
troubled heart. "Mr. Robertson viii
have finished breakfast by now. lean
not think of allowing you to go. Do
ME the favor of remaining here and
breakfasting with us this morning."
So saying, he took my hat cut of my
hand and led me into the room again.
Of course, it did not need much persua-
sion to make me stop. Two minutes
before had been ready to knock this
man over; / now thought him the kind
est and most considerate fellow in the
world.
OF course the breakfast was delight
full / found Mr.. Robinson and his wife
sensible. genial, kind-hearted people, i
found their niece even more sensible,
more genial and kind hearted than they
were; and when, after breakfast, ac-
companied her and Mr.. Robinson into
their pretty flower garden. and received
from her a rosebud for my button-hole,
which kept for some years afterward.
When saying goodbye. Twas perplexed
by thinking how | should see her again;
it must be contrived somehow, mem
tally resolved. Upon returning to town
| lost no time in explaining the situa-
tion to my worthy employer, Mr.. Rob-
ertson, who rallied me good -naturedly
upon my mistake and upon what the
conSnnupucoS u,irht hal Nayf Waak +