The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-09-12
before. But he didn't know me, and
that's the cream of the i0ke"

snat tne cream OF the joke" .,
"How so?'
''Why. you see. we fell in with eacl
other. and As he was coming this way
We got to talking about the folks il
these diggings. Says l.:
"'Old Squire Little lives somewher,
near here, don't hep
Yes says he, grinning-for tn,
moon shone. and could see him grin
do you know his daughter?'
I've heard OF her, says I; she,
pretty, they say
! well. she isn't any thing else,
says White. and he looked at me as i
he thought he was pulling the WOO
over my eyes completely"
"'She has plenty of beaux, 1 hear,
says.
Yes says he. laughing; there is /:
fellow by the name of Brown trying Il
come in there, suppose you know
go, yes, says l. but he can't
Il looked very closely at him, and
saw he did not mistrust l was Brown
and could hardly keep from laughing
right out.
"'He can't come in,' says /: there's
a fellow by the name of White that's
going to cut him out, I hear
EYES, says he, 'White stands a
pretty good chance, l guess. l know
White
"'Do you, though, says I; can,
you introduce me some time? In re-
turn I'll do you the favor to Introduce
you to Brown. whom l am intimately
acquainted with. Browns good sort
OF fellow. although he may be unfortu-
nate in his love affairs. He is good
natured fellow, and presume that. il
he were in my place now, and you
were White himself, he'd sooner joke
you than quarrel with you.'
That's just the way with White,
says he, he wouldn't quarrel with you
If you were Brown
Il talked with the fellow in this way
for some time, aud kept my countenance
so we'll that he'll be surprised, reckon,
when he learns am Brown himself.
Wasn't it rich joke, Lydia?"
"Ah, very'' replied the girl. laugh
ing heartily. "But what noise is that?''
There are Footsteps
20, it is father"' exclaimed Lydia,
not little hurried. "Quick-you
must go!''
Brown didn't wait for ceremony, but
I'D Snf0 ho liz ho%
He would have fastened from the house
in an instant, but he heard voice
which sounded SO strangely that he
had curiosity to know if it was in
deed Mr.. Little who had come.
He crept softly back to the door by
which he had made his exit, dropped
on his knees, and applied his ear to the
key-hole.
At that moment he heard a noise that
sounded so much like hearty kiss
that it made his heart come up into his
mouth us large as a pumpkin.
He looked-and oh, the faithlessness
and tickleness of woman! there was
Lydia. blushing and smiling in the
arms of his rival-of his new acquaint-
ance-White!
Browns first impulse was to burst
through the door and eat up his rival.
but he soon thought better of it, and
determined to give him few moment s
reprieve before he demolished him ell
tirely.
There, stop!' cried Lydia. "You
shan't kiss me again to-night!'
'Wh by not?' asked White
because you didn't come to see me
at the time I appointed. It's all: of
twenty minutes later. That's why.'
You don't imagine what good ex-
cuse I've got," replied White, laugh
ing. ~~>r~<sH
What is it?''
Il met chap who bothered me-"
THAT was me-" thought Brown,
still looking through the key-hole. IL
did bother him, and l bluffed him of
nicely, too. l wish l had wrung his
neck for him.
''You can't guess who it was, Lydia"
said White. laughing.
do you know?'
ITO be sure l do! though he didn't
mistrust knew him. 1t was my re-
doubtable rival, Mr.. Brown"
1.-The deuce-"' muttered the lis
tener, biting his lips in perplexity.
Ibid yoa meet that fellow?' asked
Lydia. 20, l wish you knew how
much fun I've had with him! Why,
the great TOOL flatters himself l am
ninny enough to love him.
"Highly complimentary" said
Brown, grinding his teeth, and looking
harmless daggers through the key
hole.
You'd have been amused, Lydia,
to hear me talk with him and lay on
the soft soap! Il got the wool over his
eyes nicely. He didn't know me, and
1 chatted with him about you and my
self and him, and it went down like a
pill taken in apple-sauce."
Lydia laughed heartily to think how
completely the rivals had fooled each
other. each believing all the time that
the game was all on his own side, and
White laughed, too. at the thought of
having played such trick on Brown.
Brown was the only one who didn't
laugh. The though of having beea
made such a fool of didn't, by any
means. inspire him into merry mood.
II can't stand this thought he.
scowling' at the key-hole. Il must
have my turn now. White may take
my place here in the dark, if he likes,
and I'll step into the sitting-room.
He stole cautiously out at the back
door, and proceeded around the house.
A minute after, Lydia and her dear
White, who were having fine time
heard footsteps approaching the door.
Its father!' cried Lydia, believing
the old gentleman had really come.
''You mustn't be seen by him, White.
Run in there and get out OF the house
us soon as possible.