River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-01-07
The Lieutendnt'S
Christmas Box ~
ByF. B. REID.
Copyright. 1903. By Daily Story Pub. Coz


MISS FELICIA DE SMYTHE was a
IVi fake on the upper crust OF
San Francisco society. Her claim
to social eminence could not be
disputed, for the De Smythe family
tree was traceable as far back as
1849, and Felicia herself was heiress to
an immense fortune, the foundation OF
which had been laid by De Sr1ythe pere
many years previous to his daughters
brilliant debut. By shrewd financial
stroke, he had cornered the soap market
at period when saponaceOus and other
commodities were shipped thither
around the Horn, and he had sold at
tremendous profit. The absence OF soap
had not embarrassed the population IN
he least, so far as its additions were
concerned, but soap was necess1tyfor
minera' jeans and flannel s.irts and so
De Smythe wisely held onto the cargo
until he got his own price for it. Unlike
sundry other San Francisco millionaires,
1t could, therefore, truthfuly be said OF
him that he had made his money in a nice
clean way.
1t was but natural that the envious,
malicious tongue of scandal should wag
where so much wealth and aristocracy
were concerned. A corner groceryman' s
wife TO whom De Smythe mere had given
the cut direct one afternoon in the park
from the height of her carriage and
through the lorgnette's CLASSY eye, had
meanly retaliated-such is the petty vim
49, 1-yd na1n
ing that the De Smythes went fiat broke
upon their arrival in California and Mrs.
De Smythe had taken in plain sewing to
help supply the larder with beans, flap
jacks and an occasional rasher of bacon.
Nor was that all. The grocery lady had
damaging documentary evidence up her
sleeve in the shape of letter of thanks
over the De Smythes signature (minus
the family crest, now conspicuous on
their stationery for the formers patron
age. But this proved mere ripple on
the surface of the De Smythes 'Cfuesl
wave Of social success. Shortly after
the grocery bore ''To let sign and its
occupants went back to the Fatherland,
where they limited legacy had been
left them The base theory, however,
THAI they were bought off has, strange to
say, it's adherents to this day.
Felicia's formal entrance to society
had been made via the shrimp-pink tea
route. The list of her accomplishments
was appalling. She had spent three
whole years in a seminary, three whole
months abroad, had acquired naughty
distingue air, and, through persistent
absorption of codliver oil a lissome
figure, which was always faultlessly
gowned by Nine. We're de We're, the
French modiste. She entertained ex-
tensively at the De Smythe mansion in
town, their villa at Belvedere and their
bungalow at Burlingame. Suitors pros
trated themselves vainly before her. 1t
was destined that not until America
warred with Spain that Felicia's heart
was thrilled by love.
1t happened on the arrival of the Nine
ty-ninth Tennelraska volunteers. Gu
riosity had taken her, with her chap
erone, to the Red Cross rooms at the
Ferry building. She dropped her hand
kerchief 1t was picked up by very
good looking young lieutenant and
handed to her. She bowed her thanks.
The officer lifted his hat. Felicia smiled
faintly-blue blood may be kinder to q
soldier than a civilian, especially if he
be shoulder-strapped. Again the lieu
tenant bowed, then moved away.
How nice of him not to presumed"
thought Felicia. ''He certainly showed
the refinement of a gentleman and a
thoroughbred. Instead of speaking, he
contented himself with silent admira-
ton"
AS matter of fact, the lieutenant had
Just bitten off the half of a large cheese
sandwich and couldn't have uttered a
syllable to save his life.
The Ninety ninth Tennelraskans went
into camp Felicia, a day or so
later, ordered the coachman to drive to
the Preside. When she had located the
lieutenant she graciously asked him if
the men of his company needed any as
sistance. If so-she indicated her purse
with a daintily gloved hand. CONVEX
sation after that did not languish.
Felicia found army life quite interesting.
She brought Papa de Smythe with her
the next time and he invited the good
looking young volunteer to call
Another fortnight and Lieut. Boggle-
ston, of company, Ninety-ninth Tennel-
raska, u S. v, was also flake on the
upper crust of San Francisco society and
his handsome form was seen at all elite
functions.
ITO think that you are going to live
among those dreadful Filipinos and in a
climate that is a continual Hammam
hath" gnrgled Felicia with q hurst of