Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-05-15

unwashcd raised cheer and INDUCED
in some stupid gutter humor. Asusual'
there was no constable near. Nor was
| my temper improved by the fact that,
as is Invariably the case at the Fresh
field house, was kept fully three min
utes before the bell was answered.
And, when the door at last opened, the
servant forgot her place and gutfaWed'
1t was an impertinence for her to be
amused. I told the giggling fool OF
servant not to announce me, and
hastily made my way to the ballroom.
On my way passed several couples
| (who seemed startled by mel IN ora1'
nary evening dress. That, in my opln'
ion, was what spoiled so many fancy
dress balls Either all ought to be IN
fancy dress or none at all. Miss Fresh
field was standing, with her father
lust at the entrance to the room. They,
too, curiously, were in ordinary even
ing dress. She looked her best, ana at
sight of her my bad temper seemed 10
vanish.
"Here we are again!" I said.
Miss Freshfield appeared to be COW
cred with confusion. She at first turned
white, and then crimson, and then,
with a smile (which was almost q
laugh) said: "Ol,, I thorE. you were
never coming"
AS for her fath-r, he se.@fed scared
out of his life. "Good gracious, Mr..
Leieht!" he said. "You, of al peo-
ple!"
then looked about me and burst
into perspiration.
There were fully hundred people
there; dancing had stopped, and ev-
eryone was staring at me. / was the
only guest in fancy dres>I
1 turned angrily to NJ. Freshfield.
"What is the meaning of this, sir?' l
asked.
"Iask you," he replied, gravely.
sit is breach of hospitality" sad.
"You invite me to fancy dress ball"
"Fancy dress ball?" he interrupted.
"Whatever put that in your head?
Really, Mr.. Leight, must repeal it, l
am surprised at your coming like this"
fortunately" answered, curb'ng
my temper with difficulty, II have kept
NE card" s.,
At that stalked out of the roota-.'
dignifed, in spite of the costume.
drove back, furious. Arrived home,
I at once looked at the card. But
had never been in any doubt about it.
There stood "fancy dress" right
enough.
tore the costume into shreds and
burned it.
The modification of the thing made
me feel positively ill. That I should
have been made to look ludicrols be-
fore Miss Freshfeld of all people. I
would not rest until had found out
who was responsible for it, and would
have my revenge. ...
The next morning I drove to Mr..
Freshfeld's office, with the card. He
appeared to think at first that had
come to apologize.
ooh, it's all right" he said. "Every-
one was very amused-very amused.
Mistakes will happen"
contained myself. I showed him
the card, and asked him whose the
writing was. He read it, then exploded
vulgarly into peals oflaughter.
20, the young rascal" he said. 20,
the young rascal. All, we'll, boys will
be boys, you know"
So it was that ape, Charlie.
"Well," I said, when he had recov-
cred himself, "and what do you propose
doing to him."
20, I'll give him good talking to,
the young rascal" said his father.
again managed to contain myself.
"a talking to! Good heavens! Mr..
Freshfeld," I said, "you do not seem
| to appreciate the situation. If you
do not severely punish the lad shall
certainly have to consider what rights
the law gives me over him" e..
However, the father refused to thrash
the young ruffian-or, anyhow, he
begged me not to insist on it, and final
" got me to consent to be satisfied
with personal apology from the boy.
I was annoyed, as soon as l had left,
that 1 had been as lenient as this. I
hate your indulgent parents. They
are danger to the state. Still, after
all, it was Miss Freshfield's brother.
In the evening the boy came round,
looking sufficiently shamefaced.
''Well, sir?" said.
20, have come to say I am sorry T.
|I-made you look such fool yesterday
| evening. TX. Have you got me any
more foreign stamps?'
So this was his apology.
| I stared at him for a moment; then
a great rage came over me. In the
corner stood my walking cane. Per.
haps I should not have done it. But
am human. A lady writer once said
there is nothing more beautiful to hear
| than the laughter of a little child. She
had not heard Charles yells. 1t is
good to me-passing good-to reflect
that for some, time to come Master
Charlie will never sit down without
thinking of me, and, when he sleeps
he sleeps on his side. sE
| As remarked. nerhaDs sh Ould not