The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-27
TIED HERSELF IN A KNOT.
A Society Belle Wins Wager, But There
Was Il Funny Hitch.

A Society Belle Wins y Wager, But There
Was Funny Hitch.
COLUMBUS, O., July 26.-Pretty Fannie
Beale. lively Cincinnati society bud, is
visiting her cousin Nellie in Piqua. Young
Mr.. Filley. of St. Louis, and his sister
Nina arc also visiting at the same house.
Barnum's circus was in Plqua the other
day and young Mr.. Filley took the girls to
see the show. In discussing the perform
ance afterward the young man expressed
his particular wonderment at the feats of
female contortionist. He was especially
amazed at the highly accomplished
manner in which she twisted
her feet around the back of
her neck and made cushion rest for her
head out of her heel The warmth with
which Mr.. Filley expressed his admiration
of this act of the contortionist seemed to
nettle Miss Beale a trife, and she turned
up her nose and said: "Pshaw! that isn't
anything to brag about. l can do it my
self!'
Cousin Nellie and Miss Filley screamed,
and assured Miss Fannie that she was
awful, and young Mr.. Tilley laughed at her
and pooh-poohed. But the spoiled beauty's
Cincinnati sporting blood was up, and she
turned to Mr.. Filley and said, in decided
tones: "I'll just bet you the price of box
of kid gloves that I can"
Young Mr.. Filley promptly took the bet.
Then the delicate question as to how Miss
Beale's ability to perform the acrobatic feat
could be proved to the satisfaction of the
young gentleman arose. and it was finally
settled that Cousin Nellie should be present
while the act was on, as referee for Miss
Beale, and that young Mr.. Filley's sister
should also be there, in the interest of her
brother.
The three girls retired to Miss Beale's
room. and MI. Filley waited on the piazza
for an official report of the result of the
feat. Spasmodic bursts of mirth from
Miss Beale's room reached his ear for a
time, and then there was a painful silence
for few seconds. This was finally broken
by screams of laughter, an exclamation of
wonder, and loud clapping of hands in the
room.
"Blinked if don't believe the little Tar
tar has won itw said young Mr.. Filley to
himself.
Another period of painful silence followed
the outburst of wonder and applause. This
prompted by mirthfulness or wonderment.
Suddenly Cousin Nellie burst from the
room and ran out. shouting in alarmed
tones for her mother. Young Mr.. Filley
arose.
'Has she done it. Nellie?' he asked.
I'm, Mr.. F1lley. MlS6 Nellle sODDou. ons
has done it, but she can't undo it! Pleas
run for doctor. And, oh, Mr.. Filley, gel
an old one.'
Fortunately a physician of forty years
practice in the town lived only two squares
away. Young Mr.. Filley called him in |
hurry. He was good while in Miss Beale'
room, but when he left it he WAS smiling
| When Miss Beale came out an hour or s.
later she was a tritie lame. but she an
nounced triumphantly to young MIR. fIile
that she had won the bet. The officia
report of the referees unanimously sus
tanned the claim, and it was promptly paid
81 used to do it easy when was at school.
said Miss Beale refiectively. "All the girl
did. My heel never once stuck before.
guess must be growing old" said the Gin
cinnati bud with sigh.