Catoctin clarion., 1898-11-17
w WON At CHESS. W

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l sat in my loved ones snug front par
lor, within few feet of the object Of
my affections, exchanging commonplaces
upon ordinary topics, while the splendid
things I had previously intended to
say ran coldly down my back, trembled
awhile at nv knees, and finally oozed
out of my boots, wasted and unspoken,
and all because Of my accursed BASH
fulness.
So l said nothing. and, as she did not
speak. the silence soon became oppress.
i've, until at last I felt forced to do
something, so I pointed to set of chess
men and inquired:
"Do you play chess, Miss Thurscow:''
"No," she replied, "but I should like
to learn"
This appeared encouraging. I quickly
arranged the pieces and prepared for a
game; then a light dawned on me and
I telt bad once more, for I had promised
to teach her how to play and the pros
pect appalled, me.
"Oh, do explain this to me, Mr..
Black. feel deeply mystified already;
my curiosity is aroused. What do all
these funny things meanT
She spoke 80 charmingly and looked
so delightfully."- puzzled, with such a
quaint little frown on her forehead, and
with her lips pensively pursed in such
a most aggravating manner, that I felt
forced to proceed.
"Er-chess is a very-ancient game" J."
I falteringly said, and then collapsed
once more.
"How NICE" she answered. VI love
old games. But what is thisT she ex-
claimed. holding up the king for my
inspection.
What is the king" I replied, and
then proceeded to illustrate it's moves
and value.
what a curious affair."" she said.
"The king is 80 important and yet so
helpless; if he is lost all is lost, although
it may not be his fault in the least"
"No, perhaps the queens" ventured
to say. "You see the queen has such q
variety of moves and is supposed to be
able to protect and fight for her royal
consort."
VT is evident that you chess-players
believe greatly in the abilities of us
ladies'" she laughingly replied. "But
do please tell me, what is this" she
asked. pointing to the castle.
"Oh, that is rook or castle"
When let US call it a castle. We
have alseady got king and queen, and
now castle seems most appropriate;
besides it sounds so much more respect.
able than >rook."
The knight next attracted her atten
tion, and I had to explain the difficult
technicalities involved in the knights
move. I'm afraid l made rather poor
show, but she seemed quite fascinated
and said
"This is really romantic, I am sure.
Just fancy the valiant knight bravely
springlng from square to square, fight
ing madly for his king and queen, and
finally perlshing nobly in heroic at
tempt to capture the enemy's CASTLE"
I smiled; I could not help it; my
nervousness was vanishing fast and I
felt more at ease. The bisb ops quite
won her heart, and the idea Of the
church militant, if only on a chessboard
amused her immensely.
Then tie pawns took her fancy at
once; she called them dear little things
and proceeded to give me sweet little
lecture about the usefulness of humble
things, using the pawns as an illustrs-
ton. And when l explained that they
might possibly become queens or castles
then she was in raptures. and declared
that 1t was just like private soldier
fighting his way up to the rank of gen.
eral.
By this time l felt quite bold and
we chatted away about the game for
some time, until at last she remarked:
VI wish could write stories; I'd
write one about chess. First, would
make my king and queen live in the
castle, and 60 and fight the opposing
hosts of the enemy, and return victorious
escorted by their faithful pawns, and
then"
When what~ I exclaimed eagerly,
why, should use the bishops for
the inevitable wedding, Of course" she
said, looking hard at me, and blushing,
oh! so prettily.
! turned crimson to the roots of my
hair and suggested that we had better
commence to play, so that I could make
more progress as a tutor. She readily