St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-11-23


Now, such dash of cold water over
one, after one has been dancing all
the morning in happy anticipation, is
a tremendous shock to ones nervous
syatem. Especially if one is not used
to shocks.
billy Dear, you don't care any
thing about that affair."" he put his
arm about me and was leading me to
the table as if there was nothing in
the world of any consequence but din
ner.
By this time I was feeling the reac-
ton Of the shock, and the hot blood
rushing fast to my head set fire to my
bit of temper, and | answered Don
aid sharply:
But l do care; am going to the
play"
ooh, no, Dilly Dear; you will not
go to such a low place as that" he
said, marching me right along to the
table.
Low! 1t isn't low. It's nice green
grass and nice, big white tent and
Nothing ever came here before. 1
never saw anything anyway, and am
just wild to go. | have been thinking
Of it all the morning; l couldn't wait
for you to come home"
leaned my head against Donald
shoulder. l did not expect it would be
necessary to say anything more.
''Dilly Dear, am sorry you care so
much, but you must not go. It is not
fit place for you"
Must not go." just think of that:
must mott" Who ever had said such
words to me before? l must go; in
deed | must. 1 could not bear to be
disappointed. I had promised my
friend, Mrs. Chase, would go with her.
'Dilly Dear" then he put his hands
on my shoulders and looked very kind
ly into my eyes, then shall have to
forbid your going"
Forbid" indeed! I shook his hands
from my shoulders. He made up his
mind that / was an obstinate child,
and dealt with me accordingly.
IF you cross that threshold to-
night, you do not come back. Do you
understand"
All, yes, understood. He meant to
brighten me. Partly because did not
believe he meant it. and partly be-
cause was so nervous, and partly,
believe, to tease him, laughed
Mrs. Dixon" he said, with such a
face as 1 never had seen before, II
mean exactly what / said.''
Then he went out, and I listened
until he was out of hearing When
got to Mrs. Chase's l was out of
breath.
When we got to the tent it was half
filed with people, mostly men and
boys, and the women-there were
several hae seen in the street, but
they were not my acquaintance, and
the rest were not like any women |
had ever seen in our little country
town. l was not pleased with the
audience.
But the play; / will not try to
describe it. l had expected to be
charmed, to be carried away" by ex.
element, to laugh and cry and forget
that it was not real. Instead of all
that, it seemed affected and disgust
ing. The characters made coarse
jests and leered and frowned and
threatened and tainted and raved, and
| tried to forget that it was acting, and
couldn't.
From the Chases' l went home
alone. The house was dark.
THE hall lamp is left for me-" /
thought, and 1 ran UP the steps and
gave the door a good push, for l
wished to get in out Of the rain as
soon as possible.
The door did not open. l turned the
key again and again, but in vain.
Donald is so used to boiling it. he
has forgotten" said, and rang the
bell vigorously. All was silent. 1t was
the most desolate moment of my life
/ knew that Donald should have kept
the house lighted and been waiting
for me. This lockout was ominous.
ran back to Mrs. Chases.
Donald is so used to boiling the
door, he has forgotten and bolted me
out, and / can't make him hear with
out rousing the neighborhood."
Of course they cordially ushered
me in and made me comfortable for
the night, but saw them exchange
glances, and knew they suspected all
was not right. 1t was a bitter night
for me, and couldn't sleep for think
ing.
Morning came at last, and with diff
ficulty made my way to my home.
1t seemed as if must die then and
there when l found the house closed,
shades drawn, door locked and no
sign or sound of human being about
the place. But pride and indignation
came swiftly to the rescue. / feared
some one would see me trying in vain
to ente, my own home and turned
quickly away and walked on, thinking
as walked what my next step should
be. l was very indignant with Donald
for furnishing me SO severely for brav-
ing his displeasure. Now / would
brighten him a little. Probably he had