St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-08-15
A DRAWN BET.
Why the Promised New Hat Was
Never Bought.
The note ran thus:

"BACHEIOR HALL.
my DEAR BoY-Yestcrday received . let
ter from my cousin and dearest friend Of my
youth, Helen Powers.
1T informed me that she would be in this part
Of the state perhaps by tomorrow. and would
do herself the honor TO spend few days with
me, for the sake of 'uuld lang syne,' and also "a
show me what . lovely daughter she has reared
Now my dear boy, picture me here ut Bach.
elcr hall with two beautiful women on my
hauds-Helen was one OF the fairest among my
kinswomcn, AMI I presume the daughter has
followed dutifu:ly in her footsteps
MY old bachelor self, In the face OF this
threatened intrusion, has been swallowed up
and forgotten in the great problem OF what to
do with them, and now to entertain them SO
that their visit may be q pleasant one.
The bright idea has struck me that IL can
secure your valuable assistance In entertaining
the lovely daughter, can manage to render
Helen's life epdurable for . few days in talking
over old times.
Il bcseech. you, therefore, 70 cast aside the
Quill and buckle on your most attractive man
pers-you see that regard them rs something
quite apart and aloof from your usual self-and
hasten to the rescue.
'.Entrs soss. Is there any disinfectant that
will conquer tobacco smokcs II 50. purchase .
liberal supply for me. and bring along with you
III you would also kindly lend me picture or
two l might hang them up somewhere, and
give the house sort of civilised look.
yours in distress
GEORGE MERRTwEIHRA
~P. SIZE expect you might Is well select my
hat and bring il out with you broad brimmed
ono will best suit my peculiar style Of beauty.
~. NJ"
The shat was in reference to q
wager we had made on New Years day
that the first who should succumb to
the tender influences of the fair sex
must forfeit the best hat to be found in
the town.
smiled at this postscript and de-
cided that no new hat should be worn
Mt my expense.
On reaching Bachelor hall I found
my friend, usually SO placid, wearing a
look of genuine perplexity on his genial
countenance.
Thrice welcomer' he cried. pleasant
". as 1 alighted. ssYOu are like the
physician in case Of illness-an agree
able object to look upon. even before
prescribing for the malady."
s.What an intrusive word il that
small IT," mine host remarked. dole
fully, as we began q tour of inspection
through the house little later. Now
here is the parlor, . room quite nice
enough in its way, fit were only fur
nished."
Its appointments are simply per-
feet" fastened to remark IS l ran
my eyes over the room.
1t was cans carpet, sans curtains, Sans
furniture, except = dozen massive chairs
and a table, which had been purchased
many months before ut an auction,
under the slender belief that they might
prove serviceable some day.
These were hud lied together in one
corner, Is If they had quite gotten out
of their native element and had grown
hopeless of ever getting into it again.
A pyramid of canned goods. some po-
tatoes, -four, various articles of horse
gear festooning the bay-window, new
pillow, and q few garden implements
lent change to the scene.
..It would SEEM" l added, noting my
friends desire to have me speak. that
YOU have not devoted this room exclu-
siyely to society. As this cratic body
has Of late years been zealousty striv-
ing at the strange and peculiar in in
terror decoration, however. your unique
collection of bric-a-brac will doubtless
give entire satisfaction"
81 suppose this is the room to give up
to nv cousins. rs it is the only we'll |
furnished one in the house" he said as
we reached his den across the hall.
The furnishing is sufficiently good,
I answered. land with the expenditure |
Of some extra energy. combined with .
good broom, soap and water. and the
removal of . few superfluous boot
Jacks, cigar-stubs, decrepit pipes. TO-
Rether with . general and extensive
airing. do not think your fair visitors
will have occasion for complaint
..Should they murmur it will be an
case OF ingratitade'
added. encouragingly.
Aunt Chloe, assisted BY her grand
daughter, one of the farmhands, and
the general utility boy, at once formed
. powerful combination for the suppress
ion Of dirt and disorder. and 20 tieroo