Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-09-30
MRS. SPlCER'S CATCH
[Original.1

[OriginaL]
I never approved Of Mrs Spicer's
course. That l wish distinctly under
stood Whether she had any private
grief of her own to avenge l don't
know. At any rate, she might have ac-
complished the same result without
publicly wounding any ones feelings.
Herbert Vincent was an athlete and
a good fellow with one especial weak
ness--he was easily led by women. But
as all men are more or less weak in
this respect Herbert was not blamed by
his friends Indeed there was some
thing amusing in the violence of his
love affairs. At last however, he set
tied down to two women. He was very
fond of a young girl Hazel Abbey,
and in love with widow, Mrs. Ara
bella Bates. Miss Abbey was too young
and inexperienced to cope with Mrs.
Bates, who drew the massive body OF
Mr. Vincent in her wake as q tug will
draw a ship. Hazel would have ruined
all by display Of jealousy had it not
Of the world could discount the widow
and give her points besides.
"You keep away from Herbert" said
Mrs. Spicer, while the fever is on
him. Sooner or later it will pass
away" Hazel had the good sense to
take the advice, and she went away
for visit.
One evening Mrs. Spicer was chat
ting with Herbert at ball. Mrs.
Bates was present, and, passing the
couple on the arm of q cavalier, she
gave Vincent smile that displayed
set of very white and regular teeth
ooh, if / had such teeth as Mrs.
Bates" said Ms. Spicer. throwing up
her hands dramatically, I'D not ask
for another beauty"
'They are as white as her unblem-
ished SOUL" exclaimed Vincent.
IF were man and had ladylove
with such teeth, would never rest till
had one of them for keepsake. I'd
wear it next my heart"
Vincent made no reply, but the next
he entered into raptures upon what he
called pearl crescents," meaning her
upper and under rows Of teeth, asking
her to give him one little tooth from an
unexposed place. The widow demur-
red, spoke Of the dreadful pain she
would suffer, the fact that the tooth
would never grow again-in fact, made
every excuse in reason and beyond rea-
son-but Herbert pleaded and whined
and threatened till at last he secured a
promise that he should have his hearts
desire. A few days later he called on
Mrs. Bates and received the tooth.
wrapped in bit of white, scented It's
sue paper. The widow showed him the
spot left vacant, whereupon he gath.
cred her in his arms.
The next time Vincent met Mrs. Spi-
Ger, while he was leaning over to pick
up her handkerchief, she caught sight
of delicate gold chain which had be
come entangled In the collar button at
the back of his neck. She knew he
was wearing the tooth.
Mrs. Spicer gave cotillon party at
which Mr. Vincent, Mrs. Bates and
Miss Abbey were present Mr.. Vincent
was somewhat troubled at the presence
Of the two women who held the chief
place in his heart; but, as usual, the
widow, by superior push carried the
evening and secured her admirer for
partner. Miss Abbey, seeing him car
ried off, turned her face to the wall to
hide her vexation, then faced about
and accepted for partner meek look
ing young man who had asked her.
Mrs. Spicer made list Of the figures
in the dance which she gave to the
leader. This was one of them: A lady
would place an ivory bit in the mouth
Of another lady and with a pair of
fancy reins drive her to the gentleman
with whom she was to dance the fig
ure A number of ladies had been thus
driven when the hostess appeared be-
fore Mrs. Bates and placing the bit
between her teeth, drove her once
around the room, then stopped before
Mr.. Herbert Vincent. Just as he was
about to put his right arm about his
partner Mrs. Spicer gave a terrific jerk
on the reins, with saving notion
that nearly pulled the widow over
backward. There was shrek, and a
double set of false teeth fell on the
floor.
Mr.. Vincent was true cavalier. The
teeth had scarcely touched the floor
when he dropped his handkerchief over
them, picked it up with the teeth, and
before any one but himself and one or
two immediate bystanders had seen
what had happened he sailed away
with Mrs. Bates. After once or twice
circling the room he paused before the
doorway and, leading his partner into
the hall at the foot Of the staircase,
handed her the teeth, still inclosed in
the handkerchief. Catching at them,
she turned and hurried away to the
10 dir,css roI,inu Nom