Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-10-02

/ tGUtlOn OF searching the BTOuuuE
Excelsior was equal to this emer-
! gency. He al to the garden fence,
jumped over it and hid in the currant
business. But he was oppressed by a
terrible fear.
Suppose the squire should turn the
dog loose!"
But the squire did nothing of the
kind. He looked about the lawn a lit
tie, muttering that old Towser had
been barking at some eat or stray dog,
addressed some words of reprcDf to
the animal, and returned to the house.
Faint heart never won fair lady,"
thought Excelsior. as he prepared to
jump over the garden fence and renew
his attempt.
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 un-
pleasantly.
He felt it, and discovered, to his in
finite disgust, that he was standing in
a pot of soft soap, which had been
made during the day and left out to
cool.
This was very notifying, and it left
his clothes in an unpleasant condition,
although he rubbed off as. much of the
greasy mixture as he could,
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, his masters reproof
having had the effect of restraining
him from barking.
There was a light burning in Betty's
window and toward it. as the guiding
star, Excelsior directed his steps. But,
just as he came beneath the window
1t was extinguished.
While he wondered at this, q side
door opened and Betty herself APP.
peared before him. She was attired in
a travelling dress, and carried a shawl
and a reticule. She was evidently pre-
pared to elope, and the young mans
happiness was complete.
MY brave Excelsior" she ex.
claimed. MY noble Podd! How shall
l 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 a pot of soft soap
out here"
Have you endured that for me?
What a splendid fellow you are! l am
ready. Let us hurry. But first let me
speak to the dog. | was so afraid that
father would find you, or that he would
turn Towser loose"
Betty stepped lightly to the bulldogs
kennel, petted him on the head, and
spoke kindly to him, and then returned
tot he young man.
Can you get me over the tall
fence?" she asked.
Eyes; | put a s~tepladder there"
LET us make haste. then"
They reached the fence speedily and
without difficulty. Excelsior went over
first; then Betty climbed the steplad-
der and jumped off and he received
her in his arms. Blessed privilege,
Glorious possession. The beauty and
the heiress of Bungtown was now all
his own. his own forever! 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
interrupted I'm.
There is no time to speak of that
now" she said. Il am safe, and will
be far from here when father awakes;
but there is no time to lose"
Where shall we go, Betty?"
Il will shCw you. 1t Is all arranged.
Come with me-"
She led him through the grove to the
road, where a horse and buggy were
standing. At the horses head was a
man whom Excelsior presently recog-
nized, to his great surprise, as George
Deering.
Why, George, what on earth are
1 SOu uOil6 nClCs AC dohCQs
81 knew what was going on" replied
Deering. land brought a buggy to help
the young lady off. | always stand by
my friends, especially when they stand
by me. Have the kindness to assist
Miss Betty into that vehicle, my dear
Podd, and soon everything will be
lovely"
Excelsior did as he was requested
to do, and was about to follow the
young lady into the buggy, when Deer
ing halted him.
Wait a moment, my dear fellow
said the latter. We must consult the
safety of Miss Betty. No one but my
self can manage this horse. and it is
necessary 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 a short dis
lance, stopped and locked back.
Farewell, my dear Excelsior" he
said. You are the best Podd that
ever grew on a beanstalk. Whenever
any of my friends want their chest
nuts pulled out of the fire. | will be
sure to recommend you"
In a few minutes the buggy had
whirled out of sight.
Why, this is a burned shame!" ex-
claimed Excelsior; I've a great mind
to go and tell the squire"
But he didn't. He went home
cleaned the soap off his clothes, and
held his tongue.-New York Weekly.
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.