The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-01-07

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is the way my trouble grew. When
you get into a little bit of a temper
you had better watch out" for you
can never tell that a little bit of tenn
per will not grow into a furious tenn
pest before it clears off.
At home they called me Oily
Dear" and after l was Dixon, it was
"Dilly Dear" just the same. So 1t
doesn't matter what ome after the
first name, for it's always Oily
Dear"
But that little bit of a temper
will tell you about it. First, you
should be informed that | live in a
little country town. It's pretty enough
and pleasant enough, but you know a
little country town is about the same
all the year around. This town is.
And sometimes, you know, you wish
something would happen.
One day a theater troupe came into
town. Such a thing never had come
to pass in this town before to my
knowledge.
l rushed at Donald when he came
home to dinner and told him about it.
"Pshaw!" was what he said.
Now, such a dash of cold water over
one, after one has been dancing all
the morning in happy anticipation, is
a tremendous shock to ones nervous
system. Especially if one is not Used
to shocks.
"Dilly Dear, you don't care any
thing about that affair" he put his
arm about me and vas leading me to
the table as if there was nothing in
the world of any consequence but din
ner.
By this time l was feeling the reac-
ton of the shock, and the hot blood
rushing fast to my head set fire to my
bit of a temper, and 1 answered DON
aid sharply:
But 1 do care; I am going to the
play"
"Oh, no, billy 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 a nice, big white tent and
beautiful music and elegant people.
Nothing yer came here before. l
saw anything anyway, and 1 am
just wild to go. l have been thinking
of it all the morning; 1 couldn't wait
for you to come home.'
l leaned my head against Donald's
shoulder. l did not expect it would be
necessary to say anything more.
"Dilly Dear, l am sorry you care so
much, but you must not go. 1t is not
a 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. l could not bear to be
disappointed. 1 had promised my
friend, Mrs. Chase, l would go with her.
billy Dear" then he put his hands
on my shoulders and looked very kind
ly into my eyes, then l shall have to
forbid our going"
Forbid" indeed! l shook his hands
from my shoulders. He made I'D his
mind that l was an obstinate child,
and dealt with me accordingly.
IF you cross that threshold to-
night, you do not come back. Do Won
understand"
All, yes, ! understood. He meant to
brighten me. Partly because l did not
believe he meant it. and partly be-
cause / was so nervous, and partly, l
believe, to tease him, 1 laughed.
Mrs. Dixon" he said, with such a.
a C as l never had seen before. 81
mean exactly what. / said"
Then he went out, and 1 listened
until he was out of hearing. When 7
got to Mrs. Chase's l was out of
breath.
When we got to the tent it was half
filled with people, mostly men and
boys, and the women-there were
several l had seen in the street. but
they were not my acquaintance. and
the rest were not like any women 7
had ever e in u little country
town. l was not pleased with the
audience.
But the play; l will not try to
describe it. / had expected to he
charmed, to be carried away" nv ex.
III ~
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' 1 went home
alone. The house was dark.
"The hall lamp is left for mo 7
thought, and ran up the stems ana
gave the door a good push. for 7
wished to get in out Of the rain &c
soon as possible.
The door did not open. 1 turned tba
key again and again, but in vain
Donald is so used to bolting ~
has forgotten l said, and ranp tbo
bell vigorously. All was silent. II waS
the most desolate moment of NV life
| knew that Donald should have kant
the house lighted and been waiting
for me. This lockout was ominous
ran back to Mrs. Chase's.
Donald is so used to bolting tho
door. he has f~OrpotteD owl