The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-10-18
MR. AND R RowsER
The Head Of The Family Buys a crOquet
Set.

SUNcCC MFs DOGCoCF ~
HoUe q FIT.
Copyright, 1890, by Charles B. Lewis.l
What was in that box which came
this afternoon9" queried Mrs. Bowser
as Mr.. Bowser came home the other
evening.
Chat boxl Mrs. Bowser, did you
ever hear of the game of croquetY"
"You haven't bought a croquet
setG"
Haven't IL In about half an hour
from now I'll be proving to you that
what you don't know about croquet
would make a large book. Mrs. Bow
ser, I've got tired of your Dragging
about how you used to beat every one
in four counties"
"But I never Dragged, and you
know we hadn't been married but
eight days when-when -
when what2 We started to play
a game of croquet, but you were so
bound and determined to beat me that
I walked off. Yes, I remember all
about it, ard I want to give you a
little pointer. If you can't play fair,
don't play at all"
I'm so sorry you brought the set
homel Couldn't you take it back and
exchange it for clotheslines"
"Sorryl ClothesIines! What on
earth is the matter with you9 It's
got to a pretty pass if two old married
people like us can't go out and knock
a few painted balls around the yard
without cutting each others threats
over It'll You may get mad, but 1
simply want to take some of the brag
out of you"
1t was with many misgivings that
Mrs. Bowser donned her hat and as
sisted to set up the arches. Mr.. Bow
ser On the contrary, full of enthusiasm
and anticipation.
Champion of four counties, eh9
Well see about thatl If I don't beat
you out of sight In this game you can
order ten new hats tomorrow
But if 1 beat you, youm"-
"Get made Not a bitl I'm not
that sort of a man, as you ought to
know by this time. If you beat me
I'll even praise your skill. You may
have the first shot. Hold on, nowl
What r you going through both
arches at once fora"
"Why, I've a right to. Every player
makes both arches if he can"
"AIl right-go ahead. I'll give you
every advantage and then beat you by
half. What sort of a move do you
call that9"
Its a regular move. It's my play
to go through the side arch, isn't it,"
"Not in that skewjawed fashion, but
go ahead. Here what are you doing9"
"I'm going through the middle arch,
of course. There it goes. I call that
a good shot"
"Al right; it's your last arch! It's
simply a run of luck and no skill about
it. There-stop right there! You can't
play no such a game on me as that!"
what game3 Isimply went through
the arches and hit the stake, and it
was a beautiful shot too"
"Butit was a dead swindle p shouted
Mr.. Bowser as he waved his mallet in
the air.
Its the rule as laid down, Mr..
Bowser, and now I've got you just
half whitewashed."
"You have, eh7 More of your bragl
It's your last shot, Mrs, Bowser, and
don't you move that ball the billionth
part of an inch, eitherl There-you've
missedl / told you it was only a run
of luck. Stand aside now, and I'll
show you how to play croquet. Therel"
It was a very poor "there" for Mr..
Bowser. His ball struck the first arch
and rolled fifteen feet away, and Mrs.
Bowser clapped her hands and glee
fully exclaimed:
"You missed! you missed! Now 1
shall surely whitewash your"
"That's til Jump up and down and
yell and scream like a girl ten years
oldl The maIlet slipped just as I
struck and I'll try it over again"
"You can't do It'll If the ball moves
at all you can't take it overt"
Cant II I'd like to know why
I've put up with a full dozen of your
tricks since this game opened, Mrs.
Bowser, but I can't stand too much.
Therel Now you watch my smoke.
I'll show you a little trick you never
saw before"
This time the ball went to the left
of the first arch and did not stop under
thirty feet, and Mrs. Bowser had to