The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-07
SORROWS OF PETER.
To which Belinda Lends a sympa-
thetic Ear.


They were playing Dolly Warden"
as Peter and Belinda entered the con-
fectioner's shop yesterday morning and
sat down. Belinda put one foot on the
rung of the chair opposite, and leaned
over to tie the ribbons of her white
canvas shoe.
She walked into my heart"
hummed Peter TO the music, From
thence she'll ne'er depart, -
Belinda smiled over her task. Civ
en- the opportunity. Peter" said she,
you are certainly neat at turning
compliment" @
Peter made an elaborate bow. with
YOU near. my dear Belinda" he re-
piled, "the opportunity is never lack
ing" ga +~
Now that" said Belinda, with her
head at a critical poise. sis less to my
taste. A certain subtlety in these mat
ters, a certain indefiniteness, is essen
tial' I&
Speaking of Shoes remarked Pc
ter irrelevantly, reminds me that
am a pauper. No doubt you are right,
but don't expect me to be subtle with
the stern facts of life staring me in
the face"
Dear me, Peter" said Belinda,
clasping her hands on the table. IT
hope you haven't been betting on the
races"
Worse than that" said Peter,
gloomily. In me, my dear Belinda,
YOU behold the innocent victim of
rummage sale" He leaned back In
his chair and stuck his hands into his
pockets. 'All my small patrimony is
gradually melting away in an attempt
to repair the ravages made in my
wardrobe by that Internal device for
raising money"
Goodness, Peter. don't swear" said
Belinda.
out of regard for you, I won't"
said Peter. ION the present occasion.
Considering that 1 have made the air
blue every day for the past two
months, l can afford to let up a lit
tie l assure you, Belinda, there hasn't
been a day since that blessed sale that
l haven't missed some article of cloth
ing. and when 1 shout in to mother
Mother, for the Lords sake where
are my tan shoes, or my grey trous-
ers, or anything else / particularly
need, I know beforehand she is going
TO say, Why, Peter dear am so sor-
ry. I thought they were your old
ones. I'm afraid l sent them to the
rummage sale. Every garment 1 par
ticularly liked was swallowed up by
that heathenish rummage sale. It's
enough to make a saint swear"
Belinda laughed, I'm certainly sur
prsed at you, Peter" said She when
it was for charity, tool"
Il have heard where charity begins"
answered Peter land it seems to me
a very proper place. If Madame Ro-
land had lived in the day of rum
mage sales, she might well have, ex
claimed, Charity, charity, how many
crimes are committed in thy name!'
Why only saved my last years din
ner coat by the merest chance"
How was that?" inquired Belinda,
who was drinking a limeade, and lis
tening with interest. -.-
I met Mary on the steps, with a
suspicious-looking bundle, which 1 i'm
mediately swiped," continued Peter.
Never Mary said I, there's about
$40 worth of wear in that old coat
yet. The mind of a woman, Belinda,
Is a curious machine. Guess what she
said?"
Belinda shook her head. 'What?"
asked she.
On, Peter, how meant / know we
could get two or three dollars for it, ="
Belinda suppressed another laugh.
If man take away thy coat" she
quoted gravely, let go thy cloak also
unto him."
Peter took long draught of lime
ede. If it were not uncivil." said he,
and TO lady, could mention a GER
tain distinguished parsonage who, it
Is said. can quote Scripture to his pur-
pose What an unsympathetic creature
you are, Belinda. 1 thought you would
o. sorry for mei'
50 I am" said Belinda, terribly.
But it will be such fun to help you
economize" HIS.
Oh. so you are going to help me,
ara yOu2" said Peter.
down town now" s.
Down town." asked Peter. Might
CT INQUIRE what for?" g.
Stupid!" said Belinda. I'm going to
h-,2 YOU economic. Let's go down
town and shop"