The Mena weekly star., 1897-01-13

I'VE BEAT YOU" SAID HE. Biddy's character was that his second thoughts came so long after his first thoughts that there was time for much action between. In the matter of this bet he took action at once by writing under an assumed name to the teacher about three of his children residing in another county and asking on what terms they would be received into her school. In due time his letter was an swered by the trustee to whom it had been referred. He next wrote Miss Bell, saying he understood she wished to buy saddle horse, and might he bring one for inspection. No answer to this.
 Finally he tried what he could do at shorter range. He secured an introduce ton to the lady, met her several times, and presently his second thoughts be- gan to stir. What seemed 10 him easy enough on the day he rode by the schoolhousa was now impossible. He did not see how he could have become involved in such an attempt. He hearti. ly scorned himself. Riding home in this mood, which he fancied showed rather fine feeling, but which really arose from conscious failure, Biddy looked up Robert to acknowledge himself beaten, but Robert was off to town and did not show up again until after Christmas.
 Robert, who had ridden by the school house many times since the term be- gan, had happened to read newspaper item about Christmas custom in some foreign land, of sending gifts to the most beautiful lady. l suppose it was fairy tale, for there never has been in any place any one most beautiful lady, but it struck Robert as an emi- nently proper custom. He cut the item out; he rode by the school house once again to confirm his judgment; he made his dispositions accordingly.
 On Christmas morning, the young teacher was surprised to find at her door Roberts best horse, with saddle and bridle, and note saying that Rob ert sent them on the authority of the inclosed newspaper slip; that he really could use the horse no longer-too old and would she do him the favor to take the old swayback off his hands?
 Miss Bell, who was learning to use a typewriter, sat down to the machine and wrote a note of thanks declining the horse as gift, but accepting the use of him for the winter, and assuring Mir. Robert that she was not the lady referred to in the story.
 Two days later Robert brought this letter into the mess house while the boys were at supper.
 I've beat you," said he to Biddy. 'T didn't want no letter, and I didn't expect none; but here it is, and she thinks can't read writing-it's print ed"
 Why, that thing" said Scotty, "is no letter. That's circular. She sends them out to every fellow who gives her a horse."
 That's straight" said another; "l hear she has a whole band of saddle horses down in Johnson's pasture"
 "Boys, shut up." said Robert, gently. "I'll leave it to the foreman whether l win."
 The foreman decided that printed communication is not letter, and, as Biddy had received no letter, that both had lost the wager.
 That night the boys considered the matter over their pipes, and rendered the unanimous opinion that betting IS immoral when you lose, and that Rob ert and Biddy, having both lost, should ride the pastures all winter while the rest of us waited for spring. -G. B. Dun ham, in San Francisco Argonaut.
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