The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-01-03
''Only Ten Minutes. +"


important matter that absorbed hel
mind either. She had been read
ing, but had stopped to consider
whether she would not have acted
differently under the circumstan-
ces in which the heroine CT the
story was placed.
Charlotte had one prominent
fault which unfortunately. she
could not be made to consider as of
much consequence. She was al
ways little behind-hand, given to
dilly-dallying. Tom had called
her twice, saying the last time
q shall be at the door with the
horses in jiffy, and if you want
to ride you must be ready
Presently she put away her book
and went upstairs, CHANGING at
her watch.
Ten minutes of three! I'll be
ready at three, and that will be
soon enough; Tom need not be in
such fret.
As the hall clock chimed out
the hour she went down stairs.
She could do things quickly when
she once got at them. The trouble
was, the habit of delay in starting
was strong upon her. She opened
the door and stood upon the steps
waiting for Tom. Just then the
stable bog came around the cor
ner.
where is Tom?" she asked.
Gone to the city
Gomez
"Yes'm; he said I was to tell you
he could not wait any longer, as
he had an engagement in the city,
and mast be there before banking
hours were over"
"Botherll" said Charlotte, in
vexed tone. He can't have been
gone more than a minute or twow
mo, ma'am; he only just went,
but he said every minute was
and here the boy stop
ped suddenly, which Charlotte
and she insisted upon
his finishing the sentence.
"Well, Miss Charlotte, it was
only he said he had given
you time enough to get ready"
Charlotte went slowly upstairs
and INDUCED in a hearty cry; she
was disappointed, for she very
much wanted to do some errands
in the city, and now they must
wait until Monday, for this was
Saturday. She would be obliged
to wear her old gloves to church,
and her little brother and sister
must do without the Sunday treat
from the confectioner's which she
always provided for them.
at was lust horrid of Tom, any
way"
Three hours later they met at
The tea-table; some way the story
had leaked out, and Mrs. Ballou,
seeing Charlotte's sober face and
knowing how great had been her
disappointment, said gently:
"fom, dear, couldn't you have
waited for Charlotte this after
loon?@
mo, mother; L was obliged to be
n the city at half-past three, and
told charlotte to be ready at ten
# the hour, so as to allow for de-
avs. And at it was, [ didn't get
way until almost the hour
sYou said ten minutes of three.
md Twas ready and down stairs at
he door at three. I'm sure ten
minutes isn't much to wait. [
Ion't think that would have made
much difference"
81 could tell you of time when
en- minutes saved a whole regi-
nent, remarked Mr.. Ballou quiet
y. eve didn't know what we
we're saving up the minutes for,
nut we found out when we came to
he river"
won't you tell us about it, sir?"
sked Tom.
at was during Colonel Grier-
on's expedition trough MISSISSIPPI
ii in 1868. We 1ere approaching
he Pearl river, and we knew it was
he season of high water, and con-
equently it would be impossible
o ford the river. The bridge was
ur only hope. If the enemy had
ucceeded in destroying the bridge
'efore we reached it, we would be
t their mercy. Every horse was
rged to its utmost speed, and ev-
ry man anxious for his life was
n the lookout for the cleaning of
he river. Before we caught sight
{ the water we heard the roar of
be rushing flood, and above that
ound came the crashing of the
imbers which told us that the
nemy were at the work of de
truction. | tell you, Charlotte.