The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-12-12
PUT TO THE TEST.
By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"A crabapplc jclly-cakc, lothian ~
said Mrs. McrrywiSc, with tears behind
her spectacle glasses 'And made it
/ myself, after the recipe you used 10 like
when you were a little boy-and you've
scarcely tasted IT,"
Its very nice, mother, declared the
sunbuned young Apollo, swallowing an
additional mouthlul of cubappc cake
with an effort, "and you're the best cool,
| IN the world; but You see I'm in such a
hurry. Jack, are you there with the
horse and BUGGY"
"Going to see Eloisc Elton, I s'pose,'
said Mrs. Msrrywisc, with true maternal
jealousy.
"rm going to ask her to 20 to the
chcslnui;ing picnic with me next Tues
day, mother"
Iwon't be of no use" oracularly
spoke Mrs. Merrywisc, beginning briskly
70 clear away the table.
"Oi no use, mother? And why
shouldn't it be OF uSc!' demanded .Jo-
than, stopping short, with his shrimp
pink Eecktic half tied.
Mrs. Mcrrywisc shrugged her piump
old shoulders.
"Iou must be blind, Jotham," said
she, mot to see that every girl in the
ncighborhood is cleaned bcwitched with
that New Mexico major fellow. with his
gold shouldcr-straps and buttons, and his
little cap worn on one side, and them end.
less yarns he's always spinning about the
brave things he's going TO do, and the
valiant actions he's done! There amt
never nothin', I've noticed, about what
he's doin' nown
"lle's stranger in town" said .Jo-
than, going on with the shrimp pink
bows. "Of course they have to be polite
to him"
IL wish he was stranger yct-and
there ain't no of course to it rs know
Of, rctortcd Mrs Mcmywisc. Gathering
the spoons together with Il great noise.
"All | know is that Honor Bcllnap las
PuarrcIcd with her young man about him
already, and Bessie Morton has left of
kecpin steady company with Simon
Orkney
But YOU don't suppose that Eloise-"
81 aposc she amt much different
from other gals, tartly spoke Mrs. Mcr-
rywise, who had not yet forgiven the af-
front of her ielly-cakc.
lothian made fciut of laugninp in
credulously rs he jumped into the buggy
aud gathered up the rcins to drive away.
But when he came in sight of the Elton
cottage his heart sank within him; for
there, sp1wling comfortably in the piazza
hammock, appeared an apparition in un-
dress uniform, with gold laced cap on
the floor, and good deal of wcll-waxcd
moustache visible. Eloise Elton sat
crocheting on n low chair close by, and
Sadie, her elder sister, was hemming
handkerchiefS on the piazza steps.
Eloiso colored little, jumped up, and
performed the ceremony of introducing
Major Bathurst, Of the TIL Calvary, u.
S. A, to Dir. Mcrrywisc Jotham
bowed stillly. The Major nodded, and
made grasp at his cap.
GLOW de do, sir! Glad to meet YOU.
I'm suah" simpercd the man of war.
"McTywise! \ good numc-ha, ha, ha!
Its well TO be merry and wise; it's good
to be honest and true"
"Ics, know" unccremoniously in.
tcrrupted lothian; "aud perhaps YOU
haven't forgotten the last two lines OF
the verse, sir:
"'it's well to bo oR with the old love
Before you are on vita the new"
GIVE called, Eloisc, to ask you if you'll
go up Rattlcsuakc Hill with me, on the
chc'tnutting picnic, next Tuesday"
The Major sat up in his hammock,
pushing the pcrfumed curls from his fore
head.
"She can't-ha, ha, ha." said he.
"Alrcady engaged, Mr.. Mcrrywisc.
Your humble servant t--ha, ha, ha! Rattle
snake Hills that the name of the
mountanl An odd name, very. We used
to have lots Of rattlesnukes around when
/ was quartered in West Virginia. Don't
mind 'em any more than snails. Once
you get used TO the rattle, it's all right.
I've way of gripping 'cm by the back
of the neck, and hey presto out comes
your pocket-knife or your handy dagger,
or anything you happen to carry, and the
business is done | don't know how many
rattles and dried skins | have got at
home. You can easily charm the crea-
lures, too, once you get the knack. One
OF my men, lIindoo, taught me-"
"Indeedm
"The simplest thing in the world
quite the simplest, v said Major Bathurst.
I'm show you, If you'd like"
Thanks | needn't trouble you, said
lothian, frigidly. 'Tken you won't so
witI' rue, Eloise!'