Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-11-16

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everybody else was coming: but most
of the people who filled the grandstand
especially erected at an enormous
cost for the occaSion), and the standing
places around the nets. had come 10
ee the all-England champion. and they
were assured by those who knew that
they would not disappointed.
About ) O'Clock the carriage from
the hall arrived and Sir Henry and
Lady Porliman got out The spectat-
orS looked in vain for the interesting
guest, but the secretary learned from
Sir Henry that Mr. Smasher had gone
for Il stroll after lunch and had
promised to turn up at the ground in
time to play his match at $50 The
president took his seat and hoped that
the Muggleton club would play pllckily
and make a good game against the
illuStriouS stranger
Augustus EHOWisthat was observed
20 be growing considerable psller as
the time goes on and the hour of his
certain anaIhiEatiOn >IaltproaGhed. A
quarter past 3 chinmed from the
church clock and there was not a seat
to be had round the championship
court. Those spectators who had an
inch or two of height above their fel-
low enthusiasts were enyied as lucky
individuals who will see, over the peo-
pies heads, something of the game
Half past 3 struck and still the cham
piOn tarried. The little secretary, true
to his energetic character, had been do
ing abnormal featS of agility in the
way of being in several places at once
and was much hotter than the hardest
pressed player, not even excluding Mrs.
knOckabOut. He was extremely har-
assed by the inceSsant inquiries after
the champion, and was just wondering
whether the game he was playing was
worth all the trouble he was giving it,
when a telegram was placed in his
hands.
1t purpOrted to come from D. Smash
er, and inquired why that individual
name had appeared in the papers as
having entered for the Muggleton
l. :
ton wiped the perspiration from his
brow and gazed at the clock 1t was
past and there were no signs of the
champion.
With a horrible foreboding the little
secretary took the telegram which he
had received from Sir Henry Portli-
man, and suggested that some one
should be sent UP to the hall to in
quire after Mr.. Smasher Sir Henry
insisted on driving off fOr the purpose
| himself. Ten minutes later he was
standing in the guest chamber lately
occupied by Mr. Smasher, reading a
letter he had found on the dressing
table. 1t ran thus.
| If everyone enjoys the Muggleton
! tournament as much as | have done
and gets as much profit out of the
meeting it will be an unqualified sue
cess. | have taken the diamond badge
as well as her ladyship's jewels, partly
| because 1 admired it so much last night
when it WAS handed round for inspec-
! ton, and partly because l thought it
a pity THAT the champion should lose
the prize because he had to leave
earlier than was expected.
On inspection it was found that
Lady Portliman's jewel case had been
rifed, and that the diamond champion
ship badge had also disappeared. AL
| though everything possible was done
the thief got clear away and was never
| seen again 1t was 4 crushing blow
to the MuggletOn club, for Sir Henry
withdrew his patronage and support
and Miss Amelia Jones, one of the
most enthusiastic players, was never
seen ON the Muggleton lawn tennis
ground again.-London Truth.