Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1895-01-11
THE MAJOR ESCAPED.

| l. lllI lI IAC OlU lICOA1 LIZ.
If ever there was foreordained old
bachelor, that man was Major Teller.
He was dapper, thin little man,
something under feet in height, with
glossy black wig, closely trimmed
side whiskers and costume SO daintily
neat that he reminded You of shining
| black cat.
1t was high noon OH sparkling
windy March dsy when Major Teller
came home to the antique down town
boarding house where he had vegetated
for the last 20 years and went to his
room to brush his wig for the midday
meal. Opening the door, he stumbled
over an obstacle in the way:
"Oh, beg your pardon, I'm sure"
said the major, turning very red and
recovering his footing with difficulty.
1t was Miss Patience Pettigrew, on
her hands and knees, cleaning off the
oilcloth at the door!
Now, tho major was afraid of Miss
Patience-afraid Of her as the plump
lamb fears the gaunt wolf Or the unof-
Tending robin the dire serpent,
Miss Patience was tall and lean and
sallow, but she curled her hair, and
wore an artificial rose over her left ear,
and sang little whistling tunes to lit
tie spindle legged piano. and firmly be-
lieved that il she only waited little
longer she should get married to some
body.
TITS Of no consequence, major" said
Miss Patience, recovering her piece Of
soap, which had skirmished out to the
middle of tho carpet.
"Thank you.
II do wonder, major" said Miss Pa
thence, with premonitory giggle, "why
you never got married
The major retired precipitately be.
hind the coal scuttle and made no re-
ply.
"You'd be so much more comfortable,
you know" added Miss Patience
''Dear me, that was very narrow es-
cape, thought our hero, emerging from
his sanctuary. "Some day she'll be too
much for me. I'll look for a new place
tomorrow.
Dear me, major, you have no appe-
tite," said Miss Patience sweetly at
the dinner table,
"No, ma a'am," said the major.
Don't you know, major, people will
sw you are in love if you don't eat
more?''
IT won't go back to that house if 1
can help it," thought Major Teller,
brushing the cold dew away from his
forehead with crimson handkerchief.
Her intentions are serious; l know
they are. "
And the major in his innermost mind
reviewed the catechism and hymns he
had learned as a child, trying to think
if there was not some invocation partic-
ularly suited to an elderly gentleman in
great peril and perplexity.
''It's 20 years since I've been in the
inside Of a church" thought the peni-
tent old offender. ''I wish l had gone q
little more regularly. I wonder if it's
too late in life to reform. ="
For the major, poor old gentleman,
had vague idea that religion" would
be a sort Of safeguard against the wiles
of his fair enemy.
As Major Teller was frantically re
volving these things in his mind he
came to asudden and involuntary stand
still. There was a crowd gathered in
the street-a fallen omnibus horse, or an
arrested pickpocket, or some other nu
cleus.
Now, Of all things, Major Teller most
dreaded a crowd, and he looked around
nervously for some means of escape.
An old fashioned church, with open
doors and some sort Of service going
on inside, caught the majors eye. He
made an instantaneous dart for its huge
gothic portals, shielded by inner doors
Of green baize.
The church was very warm, and the
light, softened by purple and golden
and crimson glass, was dim, and the cler-
gyman's voice rather monotonous, and
Major Teller was unconsciously becom-
ing rather drowsy, when plump old
lady came in, and the sexton beckonetl
him from his seat
But the sermon Has over, and people
were streaming down the aisle, and the
major felt that he did not care to pro.
long tho thing, and that ho had done
very laudable act in coming to church,
and
Even while these ideas were passing.
indistinctly through his brain he was
borne toward the altar in an upward
eddy Of the crowd and felt gaunt arm
thrust through his
Protect me. major!' whispered Miss
Patience Pettigrew. "I'm SO feared in
q crowd always"
Tho major strove to withdraw his
arm, but Miss Pettigrew would not lot
him, They were standing directly in
front of the altar arm in arm. The min
lister, old and .nearsighted and little
deaf, advanced, probably concluding
that his services were required.
y Major Teller's blood ran cold. He
tried to protest. but bis tongue sscmed