The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-24

before me. The thought was too com
ical, but it came to me that she was an
| actress, for her attitude was theatrical
in the extreme. Positively her eyes
were green, and, in the Ian qua re of the
novel-writer, l ''quailed" before her
intensely-carnest gaze.
Madam" l said, "will you be
seated?"
''In your presence, never!" she re-
piled. Il am glad that you have put
aside your ideas of royalty to so condo
scen1to ask me to be seated, but l shall
stand"
''As you please" l said.
IL do please" she returned, ''that
su n an one as / should st in your
presence is not etiquette. Though an
American, l am converSant with eti-
quette and well know your training"
my good lady" l interrupted, you
have advantage of me in knowing me
so well. | regret that You are a
stranger to me-
Would you know my name?" she
asked.
Il should be happy to-"
81 admire your gracious kindness"
she returned. "My name is Ophelia
Hooker, at your sevice."
.'I an glad to meet Miss Hooker" 1
answered and asked: "Can L do any
thing for you?'
"You can, my Lord, she replied. II
am here to make a request. l am
president of our Woman's Club, local
institution of great merit. May l ask
of you if you will allow me to enroll
your name as an honorary member"
"With pleasure, l said.
Thanks" Miss Hooker returned,
Il rejoice that you are one of u.s."
Another knock was heard at my door.
| stepped forward to answer it and
Miss Hooker turned square around and
faced the window. Two pretty girls of
sixteen or eighteen presented them
selves at the door. invited them in.
''Please, sir" they said in concert,
"Will you please write your name in
our autograph alblmS?"
The request was made in charming
shyness and the two little books that
they produced were conclusive.
Certainly" l said, wondering why
they should want my humble auto
graph.
please walk in"
They did so.
81 have no ink" 1 said, "but will
pencil do?"
80, yes, sir!' they chorused. Bat
Miss Hooker supplied ink. So scrib-
bled in both of the albums the auto
graph, Yours, etc, Al. Martin
L had no blotting paper, and laid the
books open to dry. Bat some one
raped. and the girls caught up the
books as if they feared that they would
be stolen. The result was that they
were beautifully blottei, and the auto
graDh rendered illegible.
Without awaiting my permission Mr..
Selectman Briggs entered, and the |
autograph-hunters darted out past him. |
"My cutters here, your Honor" he |
said obsequiously, land l wait your |
pleasure.
Il am all ready" l answered.
/ turned toward the chair where my |
coat and hat lay, and Miss Hooker
swept grandly out. Mr.. Briggs
me to his sleigh. The hall of
he tavern was crowded bypeople, and
nen, women and children were con-
,regated on the steps.
Il had no idea of seein' you," Mr..
Briggs said, as he sat down by my side
n the sleigh and drew the reins over
IN ancient white horse.
"But fortooishers circumstances has
,rought it so. Had we knowed you
we're comm, | shu'd 'er git up a
yelkim as it orter be. But two hours
in t time to get up much"
Then he proceeded to tell me that
lis wife had "got up this ere party
n my honor on the "spurs of the
mint" There was no chance for me
o put word in edgewise, else should
rave asked why it was that Bunkville
lid me such honors.
Well, we arrived at the selectman's
louse, and was ushered in by Mr..
Sriggs, and was told to 'leave my
hingS."
You need not fear but what your
III be inthoosiastic, he
and he led the way to the
'arlOr.
uch an experience as the occasion of
ny entrance afforded ME. A three
quarters of brass band struck up:
God save the Queen" as entered
he hall, and as my feet touched the
hreshold of the parlor, the assembled
,uests set up a loud, thrice-repeated
heer, accompanied by an uproarious
tapping of hands. Then all was
ilent, and several scores of eyes were
Ixed on me. l made an attempt to
'ow to the people, but my bow went
10 futher than to a motherly-looking
ady, who, Mr.. Briggs assured me, was
lis wife: l tried to say something
'raceful to her, always offering my
est respects to my hostess, and she (
eplied to my salutation that IF hadn't {
-come she'd never forgot it."
Then Mr.. Briggs led me from room
o room, and looked behind every door,
nd in every closet-drawing out every
ne of his guests and introducing me
D them as ''our honored guest" They
7ere of every kind and quality, and the
'riggs' family were no doubt the
upper ten" Their number exceeded
legion, anu Wnen tne nOSI nau IOunu |
he last one in the woodShed he ex- l
laimed:
There, by gum, that's the last of '
emr' 4;
l was now permitted to be seated.
nd much to the lady's pleasure, took i
chair beside Mrs. Briggs.
I'm real glad to see YOU" she said. S
This is very unexpected" replied, c
but l am happy to be here"
She dropped personal conversation '
nd devoted herself to discussing the :
lerits and demerits of some of her
uests. listened to her confidential t