The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-12
world.

81 am anticipating your SERVICE" :"
said the Rev. Arthur
Something happened. This small
child Served" A streak Of white few
over the net, touched the table in the
left hand corner and disappeared
through the doorway.
"One-love," called the umpire.
She served again. This time the bail
caught on the edge Of the table and
went into the stove.
"Two-love," called the umpire.
Noel took another ball. 1t touched
the table, smote the Rev. Arthur light
ly on the nose and divagated into Mrs.
Burridge's lap.
"Three-love," called the umpire.
Yet again. This time the ball lodged
in the Rev. Arthur's lower chest.
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow It in it's flight.
"Four-love," called the umpire.
And o1ce more. The Rev. Arthur,
with flashing eyes Ce was beginning
to get excited returned the ball into
the net.
"Five-love," called the umpire.
Noel bowed. "Your service, MI.
Greatorex," and turned back her cuffs.
"If the ladies will pardon me, will
divest myself Of my coat" said the
Rev. Arthur.
Strip, by all means, if you like"
said Noel. And he stripped.
But it was no good. The game went
on until it became twenty-five. He
made two.
"John Livesey and Ms. Clummel"
called the umpire.
Our turn again, I Think" said Noel
to the Rev Arthur. I'm playing for
John. Your service, Mrs. Clummel.
John won.
Martha Raggetts and-eh-Chumpy
Poe" called the umpire.
81 play for Joe," said Noel. II sup
pose you are Martha Raggetts"
Il am," said the Rev. Arthur, and he
looked like another Martha who was
"cumbered with many cares"
They played that game until the Rev.
Arthur began to improve. Besides, the
blood Of his ancestors boiled in his
veins. But it boiled to no purpose.
Noel won easily.
"EIhu Sands and Jane Lovejoy,"
called the umpire.
My service, Jane" said Noel to the
Rev. Arthur.
The Rev. Arthur did not like it, but
he played and lost.
"TAyrza Thistlethwayte and Tom
Gerridge," called the umpire.
Thyrza did little better, for weight
began to tell.
/"Sarah Thorne and Martin Clarke"
called the umpire.
"Better make the game ten points,
Sarah, instead Of twenty" suggested
Noel encouragingly, for she was begin
ming to tire.
Certainly, if the umpire allows u.s."
said the Rev. Arthur.
Sarah joined Thyrza with a slightly
damaged nose.
"Anna Jones and Old Coulston," call
ed the umpire.
"Go it, missile" said Old Coulston.
81 see myself a-drinkin' that beer, I
do"
Missie event it." but, in spite Of all
she could do, the Rev. Arthur made the
game seventeen.
Time to sponge off, think" sug-
gested Noel to Anna Jones.
"Eh-I beg your pardon?" said Anna
Jones.
Refreshments" explained Noel kind
ly. ''I'm going to have bun and gin
ger beer"
The Rev. Arthur inwardly hoped
they would disagree with her. He, too,
adored Noel, but he carried the money
of the sewing club and was prepared,
if necessary, to die on the field Of hon
Or He tossed down q lemon squash
prepared by the fair fingers Of Miss
Jarvis. II wear your glove upon my
helm," he whispered.
mind that child doesn't knock it
off," said Miss Jarvis sternly. 'If you
lose-a mere chit Of thing like that!
-I'll never forgive you"
The landlord Of the Spotted Dog
"top off, with, and, a pretty color IN
her cheeks, she danced back to the ta-
bic. Suppose" she said politely, "we
lump all the other games and stand or
fall by this one. think you will then
be"-she looked at the list-"Elizabeth
Halsey, Keturah Banks, Alice Manns,
Jemima Ward and Mad Kitty"
IL think so," said the Rev. Arthur.
"Oh, what duck he isw said Mad
Kitty, beaming rapturously upon the
poor curate. isn't he q duckw
Miss Jarvis hastily pulled the crazy
girl back into her seat and told her to
be good.
81 WILL" said Mad Kitty; "but isn't
he duckr'
Noel poised her racket refectively.
''I'm Keeper Jones, Silas Poorbody,
Scranny Eyed Bill, Sawyer Hurd and
Cargo the Shepherd, and I must be
very careful, because they have twen-
ty quarts of beer on me between them"
Twenty what?" gasped the Rev. Ar
thur.
Quarts" said Noel gently, "and they
have asked me to supper at the Spot
ted Dog if win
Even Miranda gasped at this revela-
ton. Fortunately she was cutting cake
and did not realize its full significance.
The Rev. Arthur bowed gallantly. II
wish the ladies had so good champion
also," he said kindly. He glanced at
Miss Jarvis, and his fine features cloud
ed over, for she frowned. "a slip Of a
child" she whispered contemptuously
to her neighbor.
Her disdain stung the Rev. Arthur,
who was generally pretty good at field
sports, and he began to serve as hard
as he could, after previously Stpulat-