The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-02-21

Major, shut it isn't to be compared with
the Sierras- And as for evergreen forests
Il just wish you had seen the woods al
Lake Mistassini, where l camped last
summer. As for rattlesnakes-''
At that moment a piercing scream rent
the air. The Major jumped up from the
tree stump where he was sitting, a sar-
dine sandwich in one hand a wedge Of
marble-cake in the other Two meddle-
some little lads had pried amoss-enameled
rock from its resting place. 1t fell with
aresounding crash down the steep mount
ain side, revealing most startling sight.
"By George, nest of rattlers''
shouted George Ducey.
The little group scattered in all direc-
tons. One or two girls tainted, the
children ran away; an ominous sound of
Kissing filed the air. lothian Merry
wise sprang from his seat at Theodosia
Miners side.
''Hello, Majorl1 said he, there's an
opportunity to try the back-of-the-necl1
knack Or you might do little snake
charming-ehl"
But Major Bathurst had turned very
pale He dropped his sardine sandwich
and took promptly to his heels, speeding
down the mountain like a practiced.
runner trying for the stakes.
Elcise had sprang up, too, but on the.
default of her cavalier, stood there with.
dilated eyes and crimsoned cheeks, over
come half with indignant modification,
half with terror.
sit would almost appear" said Mer-
rywise, picking up a convenient jagged
stone, "as if the valiant cavalry officer
was afraid
"Kill 'em, somebodyin bawled Major
Bathurst, from the bottom of the hill.
'.Tve a constitutional horror of snakes.
Ny mother was Just so, and my grand
father on the Bathurst side. If you'll
Just step down this way, Miss Eloise"-
with tardy sense of his social response.
bilities-ssIlls see that you are protected. -
y need not 90 SO far as that to be
protected, said Eloise, haughtily. "Yo1
can come back, Major; Mr.. Merrywise
has killed the rattlesnake."
s.Got bitten2 Whisky's good for
that-or a red-hot iron TO cauterize the
wound, shouted back the Major s'I
guess I'd better go for the doctor.
There amt a second of time to be lostin
And he vanished, leaving Miss Elton
to return from the picnic ground as best
she might
ehln said Squire Elton, when he came
home the next evening. '.And Joe Mer-
rywise killed EN- all, did he2 Well,
sooner he than me. 1t takes good deal
of rtraight out pluck to tackle a good
old fashioned RATHER, such as used to
grow on Rattlesnake Hill, though 1 did
suppose they were all hunted out long
ago. But Jotham's one of the kind that
isnt't easily scared So the Major showed
'em clean pair of heels, did he9 Well,
I've sort of mistrusted that fellow all
along. His big stories were somehow
too big to be true"
s'The coward" cried Eloise-"to
leave Us all to perishl He need never
come here againl"
"Well, don't think he Wilt" chuckled
the squire 81 saw EN- pilin' big trunk
up on the stage as passed the hotel, and
the initials on the end were b. B.,
which l take to be Basil Bathurst, With
a u. S. A., in extra big letters, painted
By-the-way, Theo Miner
IS going to have that snake skin cured
and mounted for her parlor cabinet of
,uriosities.
''Theo Milner" repeated Eloise, red
iening the roots of her bright auburn
lair. what business has she with IL,
I'd like to know?'
Haven't you heard?n said the squire.
He's asked Theo to be his wife. They
IRE to be married in the spring"
Eloise Elton sat with burning cheeks I
md eyes that felt like twin Goals of fire.
t was hard, but she felt that she had de-
erved it. She had allowed herself to be |
lazzled by the Majors conversational
she had spurned faithful Jo-
ham, and this was the result.
"Why, Eloise, you are cryingln said (
deep, familiar voice, close to her
ar.
"Crying? What nonsensem she re-
orted, with little hysterical attempt at
laugh sits only-only bit of sand
n my eye. There-it's all right nowl
we Just heard the newsi'
ssWhat news?"
''And I'm sure congratulate you with
Il my hearth bravely added Eloise.
''For what, Eloise"
''Your engagement to Theodosia Mil
Ter.
''But I'm not engaged to her, as it
s'Isn't she to be married in the spring."
Eyes; but not to me-to Jacob Jayeox,
Town at the sawmill And film ever to
&c engaged, Eloise, it will be to you. Am
? Come-speak quiekl"
And Eloise answered f'Yesr'
But / must tell you, Joe, - she said,
peaking very rapidly, and with eyes bent
n that particular vest button of his
which she was twisting, that 1 behaved
cry ridiculously to you about Major
bathurst"
mot half SO ridiculously as he did
bout the nest of rattlers, said lothian,
sughing but come, Eloise-we'n let
ygones be bygones, and commence the
forld anew.1
And Mrs. Merrywise had Eloise Elton
Or a daughter-in-law, in spite of her
about Major Bathurst. -SaturI
ay Night.
A Grow That is Almost Human.
eBudge" is the name of tame crow
elonoing To Miss Orlie Wheeler of,