Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-05-29
B9SEFUL
YET FEaRLESS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


IL had been caught In such q
situation by anybody but John Benton
should have been terribly annoyed.
There / was sitting on the floor Of
the nursery with hair tumbled, my
face red, and a great rent across the
front OF my shirt, where 1t had been
caught by nail a few minutes be-
fore during a fierce blindman's bun
scrimmage.
My little sister Alice was having
a party and OF course l had to as
sist in entertaining the guests. There
were just twelve, seven boys and five
girls. When John Benton tapped at
the door | said come in" careless
", supposing it was one Of the SER
wants.
IL beg your pardon, Miss Latour.
They said | should find you here. But
perhaps / have made some mistake"
"Not at all, Mr.. Benton," said I,
as scrambled to my feet. 1--WE are
pleased to see you. Sit down on-on
the piano stool. The chairs have
been taken into the other room. We
have been playing blind mans buff"
I'll received this invitation"
went on Mr.. Benton, taking an en-
yelope from his pocket.
The gilt-edged card within read:
Miss Latour requests the pleasure
Of your company On Tuesday, Deem
Der 20, at FIVE O'Clock"
looked reproachfully at my seven
yearold sister, Alice. She had sent
enc Of the printed invitations, in
which the printer had neglected to
insert the name Alice" to John Ben
ton, and the great BOBBY had taken
It for granted that l was the Miss
Latour, so he had come in full dress
"a nice contrast to my torn dress
and disheveled hair.
did not care much what i said to
John Benton. Ever since / had met
him at the Warren's ball; three
months ago, my brothers all decided
that he was in love with me, but
was too bashful to tell me so.
Not that he was backward where
men were concerned. My brother
Will took me to the Stock Exchange
one morning, and saw John Benton.
with his hat on the back of his head,
grasping a brass railing with one
hand and shaking the other, holding
some papers in the face of savage
looking man, and shouting at him at
the top of his voice In the most de-
iant manner.
But Mr.. Benton was not thinking
about the market as he walked over
to the piano stool in his dress Goa.
and white necktie, and sat there with
one Of the most sheepish smiles ]
ever saw on young mans face.
Now, Lou, you must sit down on
the floor again, so that We can play
forfeits. And you, too, Mr.. Benton,
Come on said Alice.
John Benton blushed and looked at
me.
Most Of the penalties were IN the
shape Of kisses, and / felt nervous
until my turn came. Alice held for
fsits over the head OF a particular
friend OF hers, a girl OF her own
age and 1t was the duty OF the latter
to say when what should be done
with the owner of the article. There
was my handkerchief held up threat
eningfy.
am ashamed to say that my
neart beat quickly when Alice repeat,
ed the familiar nursery jargon, and
II fairly jumped when she with a
mischievous glance at Mr.. Benton and
myself stepped and whispered to her
friend. Then she went on with the
gus stion:
What shall be done with the own
err.
Clear cut and distinct came the
answer:
she shall kiss Mr.. Benton"
oh, it's Lou-it's Lou?" shouted
Alice.
There was silence as everybody ex
cept Mr.. Benton looked at me to see
the operation performed, when a baby
voice at my side said:
TN tiss him for you, Lou"
So Stella climbed up to Mr.. Ben
TONS neck, with one of her hand;
on his white shirt front, ard, as she
said herself:
i tissed him right on the mouf
and 1t TITLED my nose."
Il did not want to play at forfeits
any longer-it was too dangerous, SO
proposed that we should all sing"
Ess, l tan sing. / know lots oil
songs"
Yes, Stella, let US hear you sing
one all by herslf."
SO she commenced deliberately:
Little birdie, on-the-tree "a Ions
oreath) on-the-tree, (another Ions
greatly on-the-tree!"
Then she stopped, and with
naughty disregard of the desires d
opinions OF her audience that woul,
nave been worthy of a petted prim;
donna. turned carelessly round on Mr.