The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-09-28
Observation-Disclosures
.IPOIl|Ilj' IS ERROR

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Squire Coram's daughter Betty was the
| acknowledged belle of Bungtown. Elk
| celsi0r Podd, the only son Of Philetus
Podd, editor of the Bungtown Banner,
went wild after her, and his father rath-
er encouraged him. He was sure he had
made conquest, especially when George
Deering brought him note written by
Betty's fair hand.
| 1t was in these words:
Ny Dear Friend Excelsior Podd--I believe that
| you love me- Come tonight at II o'clock The
| dog is chained, and there is no one to fear but
father, and am sure that you are smart enough
to keep out Of his way. Do not fail, and am
| yours ever, BETTY.
Excelsior was in ecstasies. He proceed
| ed to her home. After passing through
a grove he reached the fence which he
was to cross. 1t was q high picket fence
and not easy to climb, but Excelsior
went over it like bird. On the inside
| he saw short stepladder and had fore
| thought enough to place 1t against the
fence to assist his ladylove in her fight.
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-
bered Betty'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
it and hid in the currant bushes. But he
was oppressed by terrible fear.
Suppose the squire should turn the
dog looseW
But the squire did nothing Of the kind.
He looked about the lawn little, NUT
tering that old Towser had been bark
ing at 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 slushed 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 / 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 extinguished.
While he wondered at this side door
opened, and Betty herself appeared be-
fore him. She was evidently prepared to
elope, and the young mans happiness
was complete.
my brave Excelsiorw she exclaimed
my noble Podd! How shall ! ever
thank you for this? But what is the
matter with your shoes? They sound.
so queer"
''The fact is" stammered the young
man, that got into pot Of soft soap
out here"
"Haye you endured that for me? What
Let us hurry. Can you get me over the
fence raiI? she asked.
Eyes; l put a stepladder there"
''Let us make haste, then"
They reached the fence speedily and
without difficulty. Excelsior went over
first; then Betty climbed the stepladder
and jumped off, and he received her in
his arms. Blessed privilege! Glorious
possession He even forgot the soap in
his shoes.
He was beginning what he intended to
be a very pretty speech, expressive of
his love and devotion, when Betty inter
rupted him.
There is no time to speak of that
now" she said. II am safe and will be
far from here when father awakes. But
there is no time to lose"
Where shall we go, Betty1
Il will show you. It's all arranged
Come with me-"
She led him through the grove to the
road where horse and buggy were
standing. At the horses head was a
man whom Excelsior presently recognize
ed, to his great surprise, as George Deer
ing.
sWhy, George, what on earth are you
doing here?" he asked.
II knew what was going on" replied
Deering, "and brought 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-
w."
Excelsior did as he was requested to do
and was about to follow the young lady
into the buggy when Deering halted him.
"Wait a moment, my dear fellow"
said the hitter. sWe must consult the
safety OF Miss Betty. No one but my
self can manage this horse, and it is nee
essary that | should get in first"
Excelsior stood aside while the other
got in and seated himself by the side Of
Betty. Deering then whipped up the
horse, went ahead short distance, stop
ped and looked back
Farewell. my dear EXCELSIOR" he
said. "You are the best Podd that ever
grew on bean stalk"
In few moments the buggy had whirl-
ed out of sight.
II swow to graciousP' exclaimed Elk
celsior "I've great mind to so and tell
| the squire"
But he didn't; he went home, cleaned
the soap off his clothes and held his
songue.--New York News.
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