Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-05-03
PFPPERY PEGG.
Beating Diplomat With his Own WeapOns-A
Bright Bit OF Word Fencing.

Apropos of proposals, one of the best
inventions OF modern novelist is the
scene in the green-room between Peg
Wellington and the noble roue, Sir
Charles. The actress is studying her
part when the dissolute noble enters:
81 had the honor, madam, of laying
! certain proposals before you
"Oh, yes your letter, Sir Charles.
| have just had time to run my eye
down it. Let us examine it together. :"
She took out the letter with wonder
full appearance of interest, and the dip
lomat allowed himself to fall into the
absurd position to which she invited
him. They put their two heads to-
gether over the letter.
"a coach, country house, PIN
money'-and I'm SO tired of houses
and coaches and pins Oh! yes, here's
something; what is this you offer for
me, up in this corner?"
Sir Charles inspected the place care
fully, and announced that it was "his
heart"
"And he can't even write itrn said
she. That word is earth" All! well,
you know best. There is your letter,
Sir Charles"
She courttesied, returned him the
letter, and resumed her study of 10th
ario
Favor me with your answer, mad
am" said her sutton.
"You have it." was the reply.
MADAM, | don't understand your
answer" said Sir Charles, stif1ly.
II can't find your answers and under
standings too was the lady-fike re-
ply. ''You must beat my answer into
your understanding, while l beat this
man S verse into mine.
And like the birds, etc"
Pomander recovered himself little;
he laughed with quiet insolence. Tell
me" said he, "do you really refuse?"
My good soulr' said Mrs. Woflin-
ton, ''why this surprise? Are you so
ignorant of the stage and the world as
not to know that | refuse such offers as
yours every week of my life?''
Il know BETTER" was the cool reply.
She left it unnoticed.
~ have SO many of these con-
tinued she, ''that | have begun to for
get they are insults"
At this word the button broke off Sir
Charles foil.
Insults, madam! They are the
highest compliments that you have left
if in our power to pay you"
The other took the button off her
foil.
"Indeedr cried she, with well-feigned
surprise, "Oh, | understand. To be
your mistress would be but a temper
airy disgrace; to be your wife would be
a lasting discredit,' she continued.
"And now, sir. having played your ri
walls game and showed me your whole
hand Ga light broke in upon our dip
/ lomat), edo something to recover the
reputation of a man of the world. A
gentleman is somewhere about in whom
You have interested me by your lame
satire; pray tell him | am in the green
room, with no better companion than
this bad poet
Sir Charles clinched his teeth.
Il accept the delicate commission,
replied he, "that you may see how
easily the man of the world drops what
the rustic is eager to pick up
That is BETTER" said the actress,
with a provoking appearance of good
humor 4 on have woman tongue
if not her wit; but my good SOUL add
ed she, with cool hauteur, ".remem
Der you have something to do of more
importance than anything you can say.
II accept your courteous dismissal
madam" said Pomauder, grinding his
teeth. II will send carpenter fo
your swain; and l leave you. "-Londo,
Nclcs