Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-08-24
THE LETTER o.
FROM CAMP.

possible over the whole window seat:
"Lovey, dear, such a nice letter from
poor old Freddy. He says-listen to
this: The weather is industriously eu-
gagged in raining rapid blows upon our
defenSeless camp and the wind is en-
dearoring to fold my tent about me and
bear me up to my rightful place in the
world. Everything in sight, blankets
and bed included, is soaked and / feel
as If l We're running a pawnshop as |
gaze around on the cheerful prospect.
Scudday just stopped in as wet as a
sponge, but as clipper as a sparrow.
He says: IF you're writing to Betty,
tell her that she could wipe up the floor
with me now, as she always used to,
with some real advantage to the floor -
am writing this, my-er-er-"
Esteemed friend" suggests the little
girl whom every one has come to call
Lovey Dear, an endearing title be-
slowed by the irresponsible 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
a perfectly legal way.
That the name fits her goes without
saying, for, however drou he may be.
Bobby IS incapable of that would-be
funny sarcasm which makes unkind
cuts of ones small eccentricities of ap-
pearance or personality, and If she were
not just the sweetest, gentlest. and al
together most lovable of young crea-
lures Mr.. Smythe would have dubbed
her otherwise or not at all. At any rate
he never would leave a loophole
through which a less chivalric nature
might poke ridicule
Betty laughs and bushes charming
ly. Yes, thanks" says she, that's
Ter Where was II o, yes. I
am writing this, my esteemed friend, on
the back Of my mess plate, which is
the only writing desk the quarters af-
ford, and my impressive style makes
II go "ker-plunk, ker-plunk" at every
word. l have placed a few Jumps of
moist sod beneath my feet TO keep them
out of the pleasant pool of water which
has found a resting place in the tent.
and as I sit here more or less drenched,
L must confess my-er-er-esteeme
friend, that the damper which has
spread itself over my person threatens
to even permeRte my patriotism, and
don't believe anything except a sunny
letter from you will dry 1t off. cannot
help, under these circumstances, turn
Ing a longing, retrospective eye upon
that dear old room where, at about this
time in the afternoon, Loyey Dear IN
her gray gown, was wont to pour tea
t,f
turned up to treat them to-perhaps
ought to say intlict them with-what
Bobby Smyths with a perverted and
distressing serSse of humor called n
"Deweyett" lin gering on the EFT, as he
always fingers at any suggestions of
eat"
Betty pauses to laugh gayly.
THAT was good" cries he. Freddy
IS awfully funny, don't you think,
Loyey Dearf"
mo, 1 don't think" answers Lovey
Dear, in gently injured way. To dis
parage, be It ever so lightly, that home
iy, obstreperous young Bobby Is always
to step on the tail of her coat
80, 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 Iarders of the social set"
finishes a cheerful voice from the door
way. 'HOwdy, girls! 1 knew you'd be
ylad to see me! Betty singing my
praises, as usual? l declare the way
that old lady does rave over me! 1t is
embarrassing, really. But cannot con-
scientiously give her encouragement.
Lovey Dear; there is such a difference
In our ages, and for me to wed Betty
would be mating May to December,
would it not? Pom my soul, as l notice
how aged and decreplt she Is getting 1t
reminds me of story"
Help! Help! Help" cries Betty,
family.
"Of a story2" 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 n
time been made to stand and hearken
to the bitter end, for no man has ever
been known to prevent Bobby spinning
q yarn which he thinks funny or apprO-
pirate. Therefore. it goes without say
Ing that Betty's appealing wall has no
effect.
The girls laughed lightly, possibly
from the force of habitual politeness,
and Bobby, as usual, doubles up and
howls at the wit of his own yarn. Peo-
pie, unkiud critics, are wont to ascribc
Bobbys persistence Of anecdotes TO this
laugh of his. They say he roars so him
self and makes such noise that he
thinks every one else is enjoying it.
Bobby" remarks Betty, when at last
Mr.. Smythe's mirth has subsidized; sit
has just occurred to me that you are
still In town-that you haven't gone TO
war with the rest of the boys. / declare
I'm ashamed of you, and Lovey Dear
must be, too, l know, for she said yes
terday that 1t was better to die hero
than live n nothing; didn't you, Lovey
Dear?"
For a second keen observer might
notice how white Bobby gets; what an
anxious look flashes in his eyes; what Il
firm set his mouth takes. Then he an
swers quietly:
Il wanted to go awfully, Betty, and II
gave me a pretty good wrench to see
the other fellows shoulder their guns
ard so off to fight around the old flag;
but my mother, you know-well, sup
port her first, Uncle Sam next"
And there is little ring in his voice
as he says this that brings light into
Eovey Dear's soft gray eyes-a light
that, perhaps, who knows, may never
fail.
You are good boy, Bobby" re-
marks Betty, "and what will you do II
tell you there is watermelon on ice
In the refrigerator"
Have spasms In rapid succession un-
til 1t Is produced" replies Mr.. Smythe
promptly.
Whereupon, rather than expose her
aelf to the danger Of hydrophobia. SO