The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-23

"And what on earth is a book tea?"
said Harold Carstairs to his sister Mrs.
OdeH "Pve heard of a meat tea, and
other denominations beloved of the fem
mime system. Does one write ones name
III a confession-album, and give particu-
lars as to a fancy respecting Bohea or
SOuchong, concOmitant with buttered
scone or almond cake?'
Don't be so laboriously witty and SUI
perior, Hal" said his sister; you have
lived so long among roaring cannibals as
TO have quite lost touch with decent
civilized society"
THE Matabele are not cannibals, and
have the sOftest language in the world;
much more liquid than the Italian even,"
responded her brother.
The young man was just home from
Matabeleland, with a manuscript volume
of travels which he was seeking a pub
Usher for-as yet vainly. The family
estate at AshlewOrth had dWindled away
owing to the agricultural depression and
unfortunate speculation during the last
years e the fathers lifetime, and the
son had gone into the world to try 10
make his way, and retrieve the position;
his sisters future being secured by her
marriage with Mr.. Oden high official in
the custom house, and it was at their
residence, Hill View, The Spa, Gloucester,
that he was temporarily staying.
Said his sister, Never mind the Mata-
belle and their language. | shall be able
to read it all when your book comes out.
I intend you to escort me to Mrs. Pilking-
toms tomorrow afternoon, 50 please al
low me to post you up in the latest
diversion and don't interrupt with your
rude observations again"
"All right Sis. fire away, I apologize"
said Harold, meekly.
Each person attending a book tea
wears a badge which displays a sort of
rebus on the name Of a popular novel,
or well known work of literature-so your
book is tabooed, you perceive"
who's making rude observation, now?'
asked her brother, mildly.
Il am, just to show you how unpleasant
it is. Tit for tat, and start fresh"
responded Mrs. Odell. Now YOU ought
to be able to give me some good ideas,
you've read so many books; and let me
tell you that there are pretty niclznacks
as prizes for the people whose titles are
not found out, or those whose clever ideas
in the way of design are voted by the
majority of guests present to be the most
worthy There's also a BOBBY prize fer
the gentleman whose badge is the most
ridiculous-a prize such as an embroidered
tobacco pouch, pipe and case and other
denominations beloved by the masculine
system. "
'Go on, you resentful-woman,'' said
Harold. 81 thought you agreed to make
fresh start, unmindful of my original
indiscretiOn."
Il really couldn't resist that last
speech; you men are so selfish with your
pipes and baccas'-fake, navy cut and
b. D. V; I've heard ~-.e names, you see.
Johns vocabulary in that direction, is
just as copious as yours"
As Mr. OdalI usually e,,,olyo1 o;cro,,.
fine brand, and had only run over the
tides so that his wife might keep her
end up with some samples of callow
youth she was brought in contact with
to earn the reputation of ''deuced clever
woman, Mrs. Odell. don't you know, I'M
derstands fellows ways, and all that
he was not being treated with justice
But he wouldn't have minded; he was
the most easy-gOing, kind-hearted of
men, and when released from official de-
corum, could unbend and become a ioviaI
companion. In fact he had won more
than one 'booby prize solely on his So
cial merits.
Get on to the book tea; initiate me
into the mysteries. or I'll go and smoke
TO torment you" said Harold Carstairs
Wen, word or two to that effect
won't be amiss,' replied his sister. 81
want you to be distinctly original, for
there's rich heiress, Rosa Singleton.
who is sure to be present, and makes
the thing a craze; and one never knows
what might happen"
Harold groaned. 1 see what you are
leading up to-" he said. Cant you let
me enjoy my liberty? You're a born
matchmaker, I know, Sis, but you know
the adage about driving horse to the
water"
It know that for years there hasn't
hepn a horse a AcblaVrorfb -
said his sister quietly. You don't al