Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-01-16

| IdCI CHdI, aS Is Invariably the case al
the Freshfield house, I was kept fully
three minutes before the bell was an.
swered. And, when the door at last
! opened, the servant forgot her place
and guffawed. 1t was an impertinence
| for her to be amused. | told the gig.
CLING fool of servant not to announce
me, and hastily made my way to the
| ballroom. On my way | passed sew.
eral couples (who seemed startled by
me) in ordinary evening dress. That
in my opinion, was what spoiled SO
many fancy dress balls. Either all
ought to be in fancy dress or none at
all. Miss Freshfield was standing, with
her father, just at the entrance to the
room. They, too, curiousIy, were in
ordinary evening dress. She looked
her best and at sight of her my bad
temper seemed to vanish.
Here we are again." said.
Miss Freshfield appeared to be Gov
cred with confusion. She at first
turned white, and then crimson, and
then, with smile (Which was almost
| a laugh said: 90, | thought you were
never coming"
AS for her father, he seemed scared
out Of his life Good gracious. Mr..
Leigh" he said. you, of all people!"
l then looked about me and burst
into perspiration.
There were fully a hundred people
there; dancing had stopped, and every
one was staring at me. was the only
guest in fancy dress!
[ turned angrily to Mr.. Freshfield.
What is the meaning of this, sir?" |
asked.
L ask you" he replied, gravely.
at is a breach Of hopitality," | said
you invite me to a fancy dress ball
Fancy dress baII?" he interrupted.
whatever put that in your head?
Really, Mr.. Leigh, l must repeat it;
am surprised at your coming like
this
Fortunately" l answered, curbing
my temper with difficulty, 81 have kept
the card"
At that l stalked out of the room
dignified, in spite of the costume.
l drove back, furious. Arrived home,
I at once looked at the card But l
had never been in any doubt about it.
There stood fancy dress" right
enough.
I tore the costume into shreds and
burned it.
The modification of the thing made
me feel positively i'll. That l should
have been made to look ridiculous be-
fore Miss Freshfield of all people. I
would not rest until | had found out
VINO was responsible for it, and I
would have my revenge
The next morning l drove to Mr..
Freshfield's office, with the card. He
appeared to think at first that | had
come to apologize.
20, it's all right" he said. Every
one was very amused-very amused.
Mistakes will happen
1 contained myself. I showed him
the card, and asked him whose the
writing was. He read it, then ex-
ploded vulgarly into peals of laughter.
90, the young rascal" he said. 90,
the young rascal. All, well, boys will
be boys, you know"
So it was that ape, Charlie.
We'll" l said, when he had re-
covered himself, and what do you
propose doing to him."
20, I'll give him a good talking to,
the young rascal" said his father.
[ again managed to contain myself
CA talking to! Good heavens! Mr.
Freshfeld," I said, you do not seem to
appreciate the situation. If you do not
severely punish the lad I shall certain
ly' have to consider what rights the
law gives me over him
However, the father refused to
thrash the young ruffian-or, anyhow,
he begged me not to insist on it, and
finally got me to consent to be salts
fed with a personal apology from the
boy. l was annoyed, IS soon as l had
been as lenient as this. | hate your
indulgent parents. They are dan
ger to the state. Still, after all, it
was Miss Freshfeld's brother.
In the evening the boy came round,
looking sufficiently shame-faced.
well, sir?" | said.
20, have come to say I am sorry
I-I-made you look such a fool yes
terday evening Have you got
me any more foreign stamps?"
So this was his apology.
l stared at him for a moment; then
a great rage came over me. In the
corner stood my walking cane. Per
haps [ should not have done it. But
| am human. A lady writer once said
there is nothing more beautiful to hear
than the laughter of little child.
She had not heard Charles yells. L:
is good to me-passing good-to re-
fleet that for some time to come Mas
ter Charlie will never sit down with
out thinking of me, and, when he
sleeps, he sleeps on his side.
AS I remarked, perhaps l should not
have done it. = But who shall say
that the provocation was not great?
Nor do | believe that any harm was
ever done by thrashing a boy. If 1
were a father 1 would thrash regu-
larly every night. He may be sure
it has been earned.
Others think differently. This morn
ing l received a note from Miss Fresh
field:
Dear Mr.. Leigh: You are
coward and no gentleman to beat
little boy. | do not wish to see you
again. Yours faithfully, D. Freshfield