News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-04-30
A OKILLFUL PLAYER.
BY MARGARET NEWCOMB.

BY MARGARET NEWCOMB.
Hubert Dale stood regarding the
tennis net 1t was blown to and fro
by a salt wind racing in from the
| ocean.
I'm going over to the South
worth, " thought he. 'It will be still
He sauntered off S5Sard the vii.
Iage. Suddenly he turned and ran
back to the house. Mother" he
shouted, mother, is Cousin Frances
coming to-day"
Eyes" " said his mother.
Hubert went down in q heap on
the floor
"HubertP' said his mother.
He picked himself up and pursued
his way to the village. Dear, dear
Oh, dear y he thought all the way.
But when he arrived at the South
worths' he found there a great ten
mis- player from Princeton.
The ladies wanted progressive ten
mis-, and by good luck Hubert was
given a pace opposite the great
man.
Played much?" asked the great
man.
Every day except Sundays" an
swered Hubert
Sometimes these little fellows do
first rate, said the great man to his
partner.
"The game is called" shouted HUI
bert. | cannot tell you how delight
ed he was to serve to the great man.
He had adopted at that time an
overland serve, rising on his toes
and slamming in a way he thought
very effective. But he found his most
intense slam could not cope with his
opponents easiest wrist movement
Why! how could it be? He found he
must be everywhere at once! Very
well; he would be! Hubert became
tor all the world like one of those vi
brant mosquitoes that come II early
July. He was sharp at a zigzag, ex-
act on a curve, all eyes and all agil-
ity, and he won just one point that
set. Then he changed courts. and
did not meet the great player until
the last set The ladies being tired,
the great Mr.. Vorne suggested that
Hubert and he should play it out
alone The whole company sat
around to laugh at Hubert, but they
finally cheered him.
Good playP' "Pluckyr' "Fair-
ly doneP' go it, Hugh!"
At that Hubert flew down the
court, picked up the ball, and sent it
back over his head. TTGreat ap-
plause.)
The balls easy return finished the
set, and the great player gravely
shook hands with Hubert.
ut was not half bad" he said ear
nestly.
Hubert went home in an exalted
frame of mind "Motherp' he cried,
as he burst into the house. "Mother!'
Put it down in the log. I've been
playing with Mr. Vorne, and he said
and he said-put it down-and he
said"
Hubert, will you compose your
self, and tell me what he said?" said
Mrs. Dale.
The Dales kept a log at their sea-
side cottage, and everything OF in
terest was written therein. Here Is
Hubert's entry:
This day, the first of August,
Hubert Dale played the Princeton
champion, Mr., Carter Vorne, two
sets. He made one back-hander
while Mr., Vorne was picking up his
partners handkerchief Hegave two
placed balls and a volley which,
though returned, elected much APP
plause. The marked excellence OF
these sets is shown by the words OF
the great champion 1T was not
half bad.
After lunch Hubert went to his
room, scowling and muttering as he
brushed his best coat and squeezed
into black shoes. He was going to
the station to meet Cousin Frances.
Cousin Frances was a tall, elderly
lady with light blue eyes and quick
movements.
"Dear cousin" she said, on meet
ing Hubert, 81 am so sorry not to
see the coachman. There is to be a
thunder storm. We'd best stay here
Put up the horse, my dear. l will
close the blinds in the waiting
ROOM"