The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-10-09
70 keep out q his way Do not fall
me, and | am Yours ever,
BETTY"

| 10 Keep out O. his way. Do not fall
me, and / am Yours ever.
BETTY"
Excelsior was IN ecstasles, ne hardly
knew whether no stood upon hts head
or his feet Here was the beauty OF
the village, the heiress of Bungtown.
actually proposing an olopoment and
with him. There could be no question
OF that lie would jump at the
| chance!
During the rest OF the day he was
IN such a state Of excitement and dis.
traction that he was unable 10 attend
to his duties at the printing Office.
AZ night he arrayed himself In his best
stole out of the house. and directed his
steps toward Squire Coram's mansion.
Although Betty had not given him
any directions, he knew what to do.
He knew where her room was. and
where he must get over the fence. In
order to take the nearest route to her
window and that was the point he de-
sired to reach.
After passing through a grove. he
| reached the fence which he was to
cross. It was a high picket fence. and
not easy to climb; but Excelsior
proved worthy of his name, and went
over it like a bird On the inside he
saw a short stepladder and had fore
thought enough to place it against the
fence to assist his ladyloye in her
fight.
Then he began his progress toward
the house, moving slowly and cautious
ly peering through the darkness in
every direction at each step, to guard
against discovery or to make his es-
cape in time.
When he was halfway across the
lawn he was startled by the deep
voiced barking Of Squire Corams bull
/ dog. Excelsior felt a sudden sinking
at the heart, as bark after bark issued
from the throat Of that formidable ami
NAL; but he recovered his courage
when he remembered Bettys assur-
ance that old Towser was chained.
The only fear was that the dog
would alarm the house and that fear
was soon realized. The voice of Squire
Coram was heard, speaking to the dog,
and it was apparent that he was about
to issue from the house with the in
tention of searching the grounds
Excelsior was equal to this emer-
gency. He ran to the garden fence,
jumped over it and hid in the currant
business. But he was oppressed by
terrible fear
Suppose the squire should turn the
dog loose!"
But the squire did nothing of the
kind. He looked about the lawn lit
tie, muttering that old Towser had
been barking at some cat or stray dog,
addressed some words of reprcof 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 I'M
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 Bettys
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, side
door opened and Betty herself ap-
peared before him. She was attired in
a travelling dress, and carried shawl
and 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
I ever thank you for this? But what
is the matter with your shoes? They
sound so queer"