The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-23
.3o@c4ooo9o43o4o4oQo4o0og
.PgIDII)'8 ERROR

cclsiOr J odd, the only son of Phietus
podd, clitor of the Bungtown Banner,
went wild after her, and his father rath-
er encouraged him. lie was sure he had
made conquest, especially when George
Dec' ing bl"ught him a note written by
Bettys fair hand.
1t was in these words:
Ny Delr Friend Excelsior Podd-I believe that
you love me. Come tonight at IL o'clock The
dog is chained, and there is no one to fear but
father and am sure that you smart enough
10 keep out Of his way Do not fail, and ! am
yours over, BETTY
Excelsior was in ccstasies. He proceed
cd to her home. After passing through
d grove he reached the fence which he
was 10 cross. II was IA high picket fence
and not easy to climb, but Excelsior
went over ii like bird. On the inside
he saw "A short stepladder and had fore
thought enough to place it against the
fence to assist his ladylove in her flight.
Then he began his progress toward the
house.
When he was half way across the
lawn, he was startled by the deep voiced
barking of Squire Coram's bulldog, but
he recovered his courage when he remem-
bercd Bctty's assurance that old Towser
was chained.
The only fear was that the dog would
alarm the house, and that fear was soon
realized. The voice of Squire Coram was
heard speaking to the dog, and it was
apparent that he was about to issue from
the house with the intention of searching
the grounds.
Excelsior was equal to the emergency.
He ran to the garden fence, jumped over
L..
was oppressed by terrible fear.
Suppose the squire should turn the
dog looscr'
But the squire did nothing of the kind.
He looked about the lawn a little, NUT
teiing that old Towscr had been bark
ing ut some cat or stray dog, addressed
some words of reproof to the animal and
returned into the house.
The night was very dark, and he did
not try to find the precise spot at which
he had previously climbed the fence. The
result was that when he leaped over he
found himself standing in something soft
and sticky that slushcd up about his legs
very unpleasantly.
He felt and discovered, to his infinite
disgust, that he was standing in a pot
Of soft soap which had been made dur
ing the day and left out to cool.
Never mind" he thought. 'If she
loves me, as I am sure she does, she
won't care about the soap"
Again he worked his way toward the
house. To his great delight, the dog was
now quiet.
There was a light burning in Betty's
window, and toward it, as the guiding
star of his hope, Excelsior directed his
steps. But just as he came beneath the
window the light was cXtingushed.
While he wondered at this n side door
opened. and Betty herself appeared be-
fore him. She was evidently prepared to
clope, and the young mans happiness
was complete.
My brave EXcelsorv' she exclaimed.
My noble Podd! How shall / ever
thank you tor this? But what is the
matter with your shoes? They sound
so queer"
"The fact is," stammered the young
man, "that ! got into n pot of soft soap
out here.
"IIave you endured that for me? What
splendid follow yOu are! ! am ready.
Let us hurry. Can you get me over the
fence rlllY' she asked
Yes; I put stepladdcr there"
Let us make haste, then"
They reached the fence speedily and
without difficulty. Excelsior went over
first then Betty climbed the stepadder
and jumped of, and he received her in
his arms. Blessed privilege! Glorious
possession! lie even forgot the soap in
his shoes
He was beginning what he intended to
be very pretty speech, expressive Of
his love and devotion, when Betty inter
rupted him.
"Therc IS no time to speak of that
now" she said. 81 am safe and will be
far from here when father awakes. But
there is no time to lose"
where shall we go, BettyW
81 will show you, It's all arranged.
Come with me-"
She led him through the grove to the
road, where horse and buggy We're
standing. At the horses head was n
man whom Excelsior presently recogniz-
ed, to his great surprise, as George Deer
| ing.
"Why, George, what on earth are you
doing here?" he asked
Il knew what was going on" replied
! Dceling, "and brought a buggy to help
| the young lady off. | always stand by
my friends. Have the Kindness to assist
| Miss Betty into that vehicle, my dear
Podd, and soon everything will be love-
| ly."
| Excelsior did as he was requested to do
| and was about to follow the young lady
into the buggy when Deering halted him.
wait moment, my dear fellow"
said the latter. 1--WE must consult the
safety Of Miss Betty. No one but my
self can manage this horse, and it is nee
essury that | should get in first"
Excelsior stood aside while the other
got in aud seated himself by the side OF
Betty. Deering then whipped up the
| horse, went ahead n short distance, stop
/ ped and looked back.
Farewell, my dear Excelsior" he
said. you are the best Podd that ever
grew on a bean stalk"
In a few moments the buggy had whirl-
cd out Of sight,
~ swow to graciousw exclaimed EX-
celsior. "I've great mind to go and tell
/ the squire"
But he didn't; he went home, cleaned
the soap off his clothes and held his
tongue.-Ncw York News.
wedding Stories.