The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-12-29
BELLEVUE La, THURSDAY, DECEMBER %, 1881.

herself on the nearest chair and clasp
ing both hands firmly over the umbrella
handle - s@ 1f-@~7 Ei&
| The landlord looked feebly at her.
and almost within the same second. in
hurried short, overdressed lady, with
curis. Jewelry, bangles and scarlet
shawl. while shabby, black silk skirt
trailed It's flounces over the dusty floor.
Landlord" said she, .'take down
those posters at oneer' ,
'What for, marmp" cried the poor
man. l.ys.se
'1t's 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 I
won't be cheated! And so you may
tell her, landlerdp' ss
The landlord smote his forehead in
despair.
"Be. 1 goin' crazy?p he said, ssor is
the whole 'varsal world ageep Miss
Smith ain here. nor Mary Smith amt,
nor Mrs. Smith, nor none of the Smiths,
as know Of pr SO s1s* fgss =
| Landlord, said the curly lady,
serewing up her thin lips, s.you are in
! the conspiracy against meE
| The landlord uttered a groan.
"lwish tosgoodness I'd never heard
OF the whole thing" said he.g-
| "But if there law and justice in the
land, I'll have my rightsi" screamed
the excited lady. '.rll telegraph to
Boston to lawyer. I'll have I'D the
constable. PHI
The landlord was yainly. considering
in his own mind whether it was best to
go under the counter, escape by the
back window or seize his grandfather
rusty musket from the iron hook where
1T hung above the chimney piece, and
defy the whole party then and there,
when a merciful Providence interfereds
in his behalf. The rdepothack. .rumbled
up to the door and out stepped tall,
pretty young woman, with deep blue
eyes and bronze-brown hair, a French
gray travelling dress and marvelously
composed manner.
''Mary Smithr' said she to the land
lord. ..Are my rooms readyP T lect-
ure here tonight in the lyceum.
"Never was SO glad to see nobody in
my born days." eroaked the landlord.
.'Y es, 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' $ some mistake" " said Miss Smith,
in her clear, .incisive voice. II have no
husband. My mother has been dead
seven years, and a partner is luxury
in which have never indulged myself .
'.This ain't my daughterr' said the
starched female. "My Mary Smith has
red hair, and she stutters.'' sl 'ie@fs
.'Quite 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. Aaa a.
The landlord heaved mighty sigh of
relief, IA fse3o So
''Wal, said he, s'Idon'tsee but that
the lectur' may go on, arter all. y
The three discontented spirits van
ished. Miss Smith retreated to her
room, and the landlord breathed freely
again. Ie. - :.
But in the afternoon train from Bos-
ton, a young man, in the undress uni
formof naval officer, came unexpect-
edly upon the scene. aaa
''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 any
more relations to object. ssEf you
want to speak to her, there she is out
in the back garding, readin' poetry un-
der the pear trees.n sR sT
I" Polly said the young o fficer, lean
ing over the pretty, French-gray shoul-
der. = .N3I
as hear you,' said Miss Smith, turn
ing over leaf and pretending not to
be aware of the pink flush which was
overspreading her cheek. ss s...', :59'
"Are you really determined to 90 on
with this public cturing tour!'' he
asked quietly. j. 'ae
why shouldn't IP" cross questioned
Miss Smith.
. Because don't like it, Polly."
"You quarreled with me, :" said Mary.
81 beg pardon said the young Off
Ger. ''you quarreled with naen'
DO you really care?' said Mary
Smith, melting into softness.s
81 care more than you will ever t
know" he answered, sfervently. "Lit-
tie Polly. I love you! And as for wom-
ems rights. you shall have every right |
you wish, if only you'll give up this |
lecturing business and marry me!''
She smiled-hesitated -visibly WELD |
ed. sc ,eaat9 go
g But I've made the engagement"
"Break it, then,n said the officer. |
% The clergyman lives just across the |
green-I had his house pointed out to
me. Let's go there this very minute
and get marriedp'
Mary Smith laughed and blushed,
and burst into tears, and finally put her
hand into that of the naval officer.
'.Have it your own way, said she.
'.But don't know what the public will
say" .3E
ssuopooforcro~J - ..:J E~-k.:~ T.