San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-06

=
He thrust, he pdrried, he dropped his
point.
Eight o'clock, and Major Kerr sat sip
ping Madeira in the dining room at
BrothertOft manor.
Whats the use of eight candles?" he
said to Voltaire.
Only four, sir" says the butler, de-
posting two branches on the table.
Il see eight-nO, sixteen. Well, let
'em burn! Economy be hanged! l say,
nigger!"
What, sir?" Voltaire perceived that
his deteriorating process had been eff
fectual. Kerr saw double and spoke
thick.
I'm tired of sitting here alone. Can't
you sing me a song"
Il used to sing like bobolink, sir,
but since lost my front tooth the mu-
sic all leaks out in dribbles. There's
redcoat sergeant just come into the
kitchen. He looks like most almighty
powerful singer. Shall bring him in:"
Yes. | amt proud. A Kerr can as
sociate with anybody"
AS Voltaire left the room he picked
up the majors sword and pistols from
the sidebOard. Plato was in the hall,
stationed to watch the door of the par
Ior where the lady of the manor was sit
ting solitary. His father handed him
the arms. The seven seals of mystery
had been opened, and Plato was deep in
the plot.
Take EN-, boy" says Voltaire, "and
be ready!'
Ready for what? Neither OWNED.
But Plato took the weapons with dig
nifty and became a generalissimO in his
own estimation. He brandished the
sword, and made a lunge at some i'm
aginary antagonist. Then he lifted a
cooked pistol and took aim. 1t was
comic in the dim hall to see him going
through his silent pantomime. He
thrust, he parried, he dropped his point,
he bowed like an accomplished master
of fence. He raised pistol, bowed
graciously, as if to say, "Apres vOus,
monsieur" touched trigger, assumed a
look half triumph, half concern, then
laid his hand upon his heart and smiled
the smile of one whose wounded honor
is avenged All this was done without
so much as a chuckle.
While Plato was at his noiseless gym
nastics VOltaire, through the pantry,
had conducted the sergeant into Major
Kerr's presence.
Skerrett, with his mustache off and
in disguise world too shrunk for his
shanks and shoulders, looked much less
the hero than when he first stepped forth
upon these pages, Indeed, at this mo-
ment he did not feel very heroic.
He was sailing under false cOlors. He
was acting lie. He did not like the
business, whatever the motive was. He
| took his seat vis-a-vis the rival major,
and thought, 'If fair play is jewel,
must give the effect of paste set in pinch
| beck at this moment"
| Glad to see you, sergeant" says
Kerr, speaking thick. That's right"
to Voltaire. GIVE him some wine!
Fine stuff they have in this house. Bet
ter than regulation grog, sergeant"
| The newcomer nodded and went at his
supper vigorously.
"Goshshave tn King, sargn! Bup-
pers!" says Kerr, holding up his glass
aslant and splitting a little.
Bumpers" responded the other.
"Frustrate their politics. Confound
their knavish tricks" chanted Kerr.
"Rebblstricksh, mean, sargn. Cuffoud
'em. Buppers"
"Bumpers!" Skerrett rejoined, still
feeling great conjunction at the part he
was playing.
Sergeant" says Kerr, I'm going tc
tell you something"
Skerrett looked attention.
I'm going to be married tomorrow
spoken confdentially.
All"
Don't say All" sergeant. All ex
preshes doubtsh. Say Oh! sergeant.
askitshpussonlefaver, sargn. Say OH!
"Oh!'
"That's right. Oh is congratulation.
He made muddy work with the las
word. Yes, sergeant, doocid pretty
girl, doocid pretty property. Want Il