The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-02-21
PUT TO THE TEST.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Nre-fASf
said Mrs. Merrywise, with tears behind
her spectacle glasses. ''And l made it
myself, after the recipe you used to like
when you were little boy-and you've
scarcely tasted itln
Its very nice, mother, declared the
sunburned young Apollo, swallowing an
additional mouthful of crabapple cake
with an effort, ''and you're the best cook
in the world; but you see Pm in such a
hurry Jack. are you there with the
horse and buggyan
"Going to see Eloise Elton, I s'poseln
said Mrs. Merrywise, with true maternal
Jealousy.
"I'm going to ask her to go to the
chestnutting picnic with me next Tues
day, mother
'Twon't be of no use" oracularly
spoke Mrs. Merrywise, beginning briskly
to clear away the table.
''Of no use, mother? And why
shouldn't it be of use?n demanded Jo-
than, stopping short, with his shrimp
pink necktie half tied.
Mrs. Merrywise shrugged her plump
old shoulders.
''You must be blind, lothian, - said
she, ''not to see that every girl in the
neighborhood is cleaned bewitched with
that New Mexico major fellow, with his
gold shoulder-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 donel There amt
never nothin', I've noticed, about what
he's doin' nowi"
s.He's a 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 stranges yet-and
there amt no 'of course to it as know
of, retorted Mrs. Merrywise. gathering
the spoons together with a great noise.
'sAll know is that Honor Belknap has
quarreled with her young man about him
already, and Bessie Morton has left OF
keepin' steady company with Simon
Orkney"
But You don't suppose that Eloise-"
~ s'pose she amt much different
from other gals, tartly spoke Mrs. Mer-
-Ifesss OF -ffer jeff}=eaif1e.
lothian made feint of laughing in /
credulousiy as he jumped into the buggy
and gathered up the reins to drive away.
But when he came in sight of the Elton 1
cottage his heart sank within him: for |
there, sprawIing comfortably In the pilzza
hammock, appeared an apparition in I'M
dress uniform, with gold-laced cap on {
the floor, and good deal of weIl-waxed I
moustache visible. Eioise Elton sat I
crocheting on a low chair close by, and |
Sadie, her elder sister, was hemming
handkerchiefs on the piazza steps.
Eloise colored little, jumped up, and
performed the ceremony of introducing
Major Bathurst, of the til Calvary, U.
S. A., ID Mr.. Merrywise. lothian
bosed stifly. The Major nodded, and
made grasp at his cap.
How de do, sir7 Glad TO meet you.
I'm suahln simpered the man of war.
''Msrrywisel A good name-ha, ha, Ia
Its well to be merry and wise; it's good
to be honest and true.
'Yes, know unceremoniously in
terrupted lothian; land perhaps you
haven't forgotten the last two lines of
the verse, sir:
+" It's well to be Off with the old love
Before you are on with the newr
''I've called, Eloise, to ask you If you'll
60 up Rattlesnake Hill with me, on the
chestnutting picnic, next Tuesday"
The Major sat up in his hammock,
pushing the perfumed curls from his fore
head.
sShe ean't-ha, ha, hal" said he.
ALREADY engaged, Mr. Merrywise.
Your humble servant-ha, ha, ha Rattle
snake Hills that the name of the
mountain An odd name, very. We used
to hive lots of rattlesnakes around when
was qusrtered in West Virginia. Don't
mind 'em any more than snails. Once
you get used to the rattle, its all right. ,
I've way Of gripping EN- 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 donel l don't know how many
rattIss and dried skins have got at
home. You can easily charm the crea-
lures, too, once you get the kDack One
Of my men, Hindoo, taught me. -
'sIndeedg"
"The simplest thing in the world
quite the simplest, " said Major Bathurst.
I'm show you, if you'd like "
Thanks l needn't trouble you, said
lothian, frigidIy. "Then you won't 90
with me, Eloisein
''I'm ever so much obliged, said
Eloise, shyly glancing up from under her
syelashes, shut I've promised Major
Bathurst >
lothian bowed and silently turned
sway. Eloise, perhaps little con
ieience-stricken, followed him to the
gate.
sIsn't the Major perfectly delightfuli''
aid she.
''Humphi" commented lothian. /
az wish you could hear the thrilling ,
tories he has told US Of lion hunting in
Arabia and elephant shooting in Ben +
yai" ,
q must Try and dispense with 'em, !
lrily uttered lothian
4'And those dreadful skirmishes with
sitting Bull ami his savage hordes, out
n New Mexico7'
Sitting Bull wasn't Pueblo brave, !
hat ever heard of, " said lothian. :
..It was Geronimo, theniH =
Wrong again" corrected lothian. :
But perhaps your Major realizes that it y
sat very necessary to be accurate in his /
when women are con !
ened.
lothian. how can you be so unjustl7 !,
asbed up Eloise. ''8Iy Major, indeed Z
i've great mind never tc speak to you
ain. v
nd it ended in lothian Merrywise's r