Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1898-08-25
!. The Letter from Camp.

1EEEeGEEEEGGGEGEGGEEEGeEGe
Says Betty, who has spread her small
person and voluminous many-ruffied
dainty skirts as much rs possible over
the whole window seat: Lovely, dear.
such n nice letter from poor old
Freddy. He says-listen to this:
1.-THE weather is industriously en-
gagged in raining rapid blows upon
our defenseless camp and the wind is
endeavoring to fold my tent about mo
and bear me up to my rightful place In
the world. Everything In sight,
blankets and bed included, Is soaked
and feel as II were running q pawn
shop as gaze around on the cheerful
prospect. Scudday Just stopped in as
wet as a sponge. but as clipper as
sparrow. He says: ''If you're writing
to Betty, tell her that she could wipe
up the floor with me now. as she al
ways used to, with some real advan-
tage to the floor" l am writing this,
my-er-er-'"
Esteemed friend" suggested the
little girl whom every one has come
to call Lovey Dear, an endearing title
bestowed by the irrepressible Bobby
Smythe. who chased her all around the
garden with siphon Of soda-water one
afternoon in endeavoring. SO he said,
to perform the ceremony of baptism In
perfectly legal way.
That the name fits her goes without
saying. for, however droll he may be.
Bobby is incapable Of that would-be
funny sarcasm which makes unkind
cuts OF ones small eccentricities Of
appearance or personality, and II she
were not Just the sweetest, gentlest,
and altogether most lovable Of young
creatures Mr.. Smythe would have dub
bed her otherwise or not at all. At
any rate he never would leave a loop
hole through which less chivalric ma
ture might poke ridicule.
Betty laughs and bushes charming
ly. Yes, thanks" says she, that's
it-er-Where was I? o, yes. I am
writing this, my esteemed friend, on
the back Of my mess plate, which Is the
only writing desk the quarters afford,
and my impressive style makes 1t go
"ker-plunk. ker-plunk," at every word.
have placed few Jumps of moist sod
beneath my feet to keep them out of
the pleasant pool of water which has
found resting place in the tent, and
as l sit here more or less drenched,
| must confess, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
friend, that the damper which has
spread itself over my person threatens
to even permeate my patriotism, and
don't believe anything except sunny
letter from you will dry it off. 1 can
not help, under these circumstances,
turning longing. retrospective eye
upon that dear old room where, at
about this time in the afternoon,
Lovey Dear, in her gray gown, was
wont to pour tea for thirsty mob,
while you and turned up to treat
them to-perhaps I ought to say inflict
them with-what Bobby Smythe with
perverted and distressing sense of
humor called Deweyett," lingering on
the EFT, as he always fingers at any
suggestion of eat"
Betty pauses to laugh gayly.
THAT was good" cries she. Freddy
Is awfully funny, don't you think,
Lovey Dear?"
mo, I don't think answers Lovey
Dear, in gently injured way. To dis
parage, be it ever so lightly, that home
y, obstreperous young Bobby is always
to step on the tail of her coat.
20, we'll, DEAR" says Betty, "Bobby's
/ appetite is such an acknowledged sue
cess that" '
81 have eaten my way into even the
most reserved larders of the social set"
finishes a cheerful voice from the door
way. "Howdy, girls! I knew you'd be
glad to see me! Betty singing my
praises, as usual? 1 declare the way
that old lady does rave over me! 1t
is embarrassing, really. But 1 cannot
conscientiously give her encourage
ment, Lovey Dear; there is such diff
ference in our ages, and for me to wed
Betty would be mating May to Decem-
Der, would 1t not? Pom my soul, as I
notice how aged and decrepit she Is
getting it reminds me of story
Help! Help! Help" cries Betty,
family.
of story? says Lovey Dear, en-
couragingly, though Bobby needs none.
An entire room full Of people all pro-
testing violently against hearing one
OF his tales have, nevertheless, many
time been made to stand and hearken
70 tho bitter end for no man has ever