The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-03-02

talent II I mistake not Beatrice Es-
mond at twelve had begun to try her
glances on the groom. What then.
may one not expect from Rosalie, who
has already tested her power. from the
underground of the stair-landing. on
occasional messenger boys waiting in
the hall!
Rosalie's and Bertie's little games Of
play in the evening are sources Of
amusement only to Rosalie and BERTHE.
First they play the Huntsman and the
Little Hare Rosalie is the Little Hare.
and presently she receives deadly
wound. the poker miraculously dis.
charging volley of buck-shot The
corpse of the Little Hare lies on the
carpet for a space, gasping as loudly as
did the mortal remains of Julius Cesar.
as recently portrayed by dramatic
luminary. Then suddenly it rises on
all tours. and peeping at the Huntsman
with its enchanting pink face shining
under the table, says in an engaging
and sprightly tone:
'Now. Bert, the Little Hare's come
to life again. but he's grown up. He 3
an Old Hare. Last time he was quite
young. You know. you've got to
chase him." raising her eyebrows and
shaking her blonde locks. as she peers
at the Huntsman between the table
legs.
Father reused by this, says hope
fully: ''Old Hares are not as lively as
young ones-they can't run about so
much because they're stiff. or make so
much noise"
The game begins. and presently the
Huntsman becomes discouraged at the
agility of the Old Hare. which, despite
fathers logical deductions on the sub
DUNG influences of age. leaps with
shrieks of Joy under and over the
chairs, evincing singular vitality for
an antiquated quadruped.
At last father says despondently
from the depths of the evening paper:
isn't that aged rodent almost old
enough to die?'
ooh. no. father" cries the Old Hare,
in her fresh, gay voice. mot for ages
yet Bertie's got to catch me and skin
me first"
This bloodthirsty termination seems
to appal the Huntsman.
Don't let's play this any more?" he
says, subsiding on to his heels and
viewing the flushed and disheveled
Hare, "let's play Robber Chief"
Aunt Loo pricks the attentive ear.
An uneasy look comes into her eyes,
and she says: "Was it Robber Chief
you were playing in my room yester-
dayP'
"Yes, yes; oh, it was splendid"
cry the Huntsman and the Hare, in ex-
cited chorus.
''Oh, them" says Aunt Loo. hastily,
Il advise you to stick to the Hare.
It's sO-so-much easier to play"
When mamma enters, five minutes
later. the hunt is ut its height. The
Old Hare. close pressed, has to ''run
seme," under fathers chair. where it
les on its face, hammering its toes on
Zee floorin brcathless ecstasy. Father
and Aunt Loo, with a set look about
their mouths. were sitting in silence
with their hand folded and their eyes
closed.
BERTHE stays up half an hour later
than Rosalie. This sacred half hour is
generally dedicated to the improve
ment of the mind. For BERTHE has
mind to improve. He is young man
of parts. His favorite poem is 1.-The
Ancient Mariner" illustrated by Dore.
He is also fond of Come Into the
Garden, Maud" though a little dazed
by the power of speech exhibited by
the enamored vegetables in Maud's
garden. But the Bible is his particular
favoslte. From it he has culled some
of b's greatest heroes, having some
time ago matriculated from the story
of Little Samuel into the stirring add
ventures of the King of Judea. He has
respect for Aunt Loo's taste in all
questions of art and literature, and
generally refers to her on those halcyon
u
present to his grandmother.
Aunt Loo" he says. approaching
with piece of bent and grimy perfor-
ated board in his hand. II want to
make bookmark for grandma What
would be nice to put on it?''
Aunt Loo leaves the selection of an
appropriate motto to the giver.
The giver ENTHUSIASTICALLY look
ing inquiringly at Aunt Loo for a sug-
gestion. Suddenly he has scintilla-
ton.
1--WE got it! Oh. q butte! The pilot
shrieked and fell down in fit"
"But, BERTHE. that's not appropriate"
in high key of evaporation. "What's
the sense of that? Do you think your
grandmother in the habit of Shrek
ing and falling down in tis?"
'Well, she might and not tell any
body" says BERTHE. sulkily. evidently
suspecting his ancestress of rioting in
fits on the sly.
"Then it would be rude to remind
her. Try something else"
BERTHE. with lowered crest, decides it
is safest to keep to the same style. He
hazards his next selection with hesita-
ton:
"'Water. water everywhere. but not
a drop to drink" he says, interroga-
lively, nodding his head and raising
his eyebrows.