Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-06-02
BOBBY SHAFTO.r

1t IS bright and delicious June morn
ing. The sea beyond the gray cliff line
is flashing million jewels beyond the
rays of the sun. From my seat at the
piano can see a dozen snowy sails dot
ting the blue surface. My canary in the
bay window is going crazy over his own
music; and drum out on the ivory KEYS
nonsensical air of my own composition,
and sing loudly the equally nonsensical
verses of nursery fame:
Bobby Shafto's gone to sea,
With silver buckles on his knee,
He'll come back and marry me-
Pretty Bobby Shafto.'
The front door is wide open, also the
door from hall to sitting room, and a
masculine voice, expressive of much
amusement, says:
'Lucky Bobby Shafto."
/ wheel about on the stool, and there
stands young man dressed in q dark
flannel suit, hat in hand, laughing at
me.
II haven't the honor of your acquaint.
ance," say, rather flippantly.
He steps over the threshold and makes
me low bow, as he replies.
''Bobby Shafto. at your service"
"Nonsensew says l, laughing a little
in spite of myself.
"At any rate" he pursues, quite seri-
ously, my name is Robert Shafter, and
that, you will admit, is very like Bobby
Shafto. called to ascertain If l could
procure lodging here for the season. The
hotel clerk thought that might. There
is not one comfortable room left at the
Eyrie."
have ascertained by this time that he
is rather nice looking. His hair is light
and curly; his nose is large, but he has
very pleasant, dark blue eyes, a long,
curling moustache, and q square chm,
cleft in the centre.
"Please be seated" said, remember.
ing my manners of sudden. II will
speak to Aunt Jane"
You must know that Aunt Jane came
to take care of me, tiny girl, when my
mother died. She has been with us ever
since, and her word is law with father
and me. Father, busy with his manu-
scripts oil the time (for he is o news
paper correspondent is only too glad to
let the reins of government slip into
such capable hands as those of my worthy
aunt. She is spinster, tall and gaunt
of figure, with keen gray eyes behind a
pair of steel bowed spectacles, and she
wears her inevitable high white cap and
chocolate colored gown when l bring
her in and introduce her to Mr.. Shafter.
He fushes unaccountably and seems
about to speak, but Aunt Jane says di
rectly in her most business-like manner
"My niece, Adelaide, tells me that you
desire lodging"
"Yes, madam" replies the young
man, ~ belong to the band which is t(
make the season here at Bluff Point
and"
"Oh, then you are one of those band
men" interrupts Aunt Jane, rather dis
paragingly.
~ have the misfortune so to be-" Mr.
Shafter replies, quite meekly, but there
is q quivcr of his lip and laughing
twinkle in his eye. 81 play one OF tn
| cornets."
Now ie there is anything on earth tina
Aunt Jane abhOrs it is q wind instru
ment.
She hesitates.
], being rather in favor of having hin
come, suggest that he may be willing t.
do his pract;cing away from home.
"Oh, certainly" responds he, cheer
| fully. "If you will be good enough 4
take me you .hall not be annoyed by tn
sound of my cornet."
every we'll" Aunt Jane decides, "yol
may have tae southwest chamber, whicl
is the pleasantest room in the house, TO
three dollars week."
"Thank you, very much" says Mr.
Shafter, promptly. II will send m,
trunk over this afternoon"
llWith that he bows himself out, leav
ing me much elated at the pfospect Of s
pleasant an addition to our family.
In . weeks time Mr.. Shafter and / ar
the best possible friends. n
Father, to speak tiguratively, has tai
' him to his bosom-indeed these tw