Smyrna times., 1904-11-23
Ole Mission Of the
Tomato Bisque
BY RUTH SANTELLE
Copyright, 1901, By Ruth SdntcUe

Major Blackburn was possessed Of
temperament no more irascible than
that of the average gentleman Of his
age. Moreover, the dignity of that
age might have gone unsuspected by
virtue of his bOyish face and genial
If somewhat pOmpous manner had it
not been for the telltale appurtenances
of veterans title and a great grown
up son of the modern, broad shoulder
ed type
But the major was inclined to take
it good naturedly. Aspiring to youth
fulneSS in old age was not one of his
hobbies. He was guilty, nevertheless,
of twO-a pet ideal and a pet aversion.
The first was an imaginary picture he
had cOnjured up of an old time girl
who scOrned higher education and
devoted herself to the acquisition of
an endless string of hOusewifely ac-
cOmplishments. The second was to-
matoeS. Utterly unfit to eat. He
knew it beyond hope Of conversion.
Furthermore, they sickened him unto
death-upOn his word as a gentleman
and soldier
His thoughts were neither of the
visionary maid nor the detested vege-
table as he strobe up and down the
aisle of the chilly car. They had been
fighting snow and wind since p. m.,
and now it was 10, and the drifts piled
higher Something had happened to
the steam pipes, and comfortable
warmth was fast becoming a more
and more distant memory. Worst of
all, they had not yet succeeded in
reaching the place where the dinner
was taken on, and, dinnerless, the ma,
jOr was unhappy.
"Where in the world are we, and
what are we stopping for this time?"
he growled as a blue nosed brakeman
swung through.
stopping because we can't go no
farther" was the answer This here's
Graves Station, and we're telegraphing
for relief Let you know directly" as
he disappeared.
comforting, to say the least! Win
dOws so frosted you can't see out
Probably nothing to see if you could.
How Il cup of coffee now would cheer
Il mans SOUL"
The majors dismal reflections were
interrupted by a clear, ringing laugh.
Irresistibly he stopped by the seat Of
the fresh checked. tailored girl in the
wide hat who had been variOusly min
iStering to the hungry, cold, tired car
full Now, she had a yOungster in her
lap, sitting his. fretting with bites Of
juicy orange. 1t looked inviting.
Il am sorry to say" came the con-
ductOr's voice from the doorway, that
the drifts make it impossible for us
to go on. We have sent for the plow to
\ release us. and it can probably get here
in two hours. AS all trains after 8
o'clock are through expresses, the sta
ton Is closed for the night, so l am
afraid
A chorus of groans drowned the rest
Of the announcement. Helplessly and
hopelessly they looked at each other
The tailored girl alone, slipping the
child from her knees, held a moments
consultation with the conductor. Then
she called chcerfully:
Il am organizing a fOraging eXpedi
ton. May ask for volunteers, please
Four men, think-yOung ones. Wei
let the rest of you help when we see
what's to be done"
The response was instantaneous She
had to be firm in accepting the fOuI
who reached her first Like a captain
she managed her crew in undiSputed
sway, and before the now interested
crowd could grow impatient they found
themselves filing through hastily shOv
eled paths into the stations single
building almost warm already with
huge fire in the stove.
1T wasn't bit hard to get in war
bled the captain, now playing hostess
I'VE found quantities of wood, and i
you're all very good and don't hinde
we may find you something eatable il
due time Now, you" to the fiattere,
major, keep everybody else amused
some way while we get supper"
That girl is a-a-brickw he muT
INJURED admirngly and proceeded t
obey orders to the best of his ability.
The merry cries from the kitchen ent
Of the establishment helped him in hi
efforts.
Crackers carroled the captain Ell
couragingly. Half barrel full. An
a can Of cream frozen almost sOliC
I'll have to sweeten some for dessert.
A few moments of laughter and ar
parent investigation.
''Now, a girl like thatv' the maiO
was pOndering, unable to keep hi
jealous glance from wandering.
Then a burst Of triumph from tn
kitchen: "Oh, see what I've founC
Cans and cans of them! Now for
feastr
Then a period Of busy silence an
strengthening OdOrs.
In less time than the famished tra'
elers had dared hope they were range
before bowls brimming with a stean
ing. and savory concOction, the ver
sight of which increased their faith
a sheltering Providence.
"Fall to, fall tor urged the appa