The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-07-27

OubOouSBU WHO O1tb1St 0ttSDtlO0 TO
themselves, and that he i well-dressed
who does not do 50. ~ aliehted, the
unwashed raised cheer ard INDUCED
in some stupid gutter humor. As usual.
there was no constable near. Nor was
my temper improved by the fact that,
rs Is invariably the case at the Fresh
field house. was kept fully three min
And, when the door at last opened. the
servant forgot her place and guffawed.
1t was an impertinence for her to be
amused. told the giggling fool of
= servant not to announce me, and
hastily made my way to the ballroom
On my way passed several couples
(who seemed startled by mel In ordi-
nary evening dress. That, in my opin-
ion. was what spoiled SO many fancy
dress balls. Either all ought to be in
fancy dress or none at all. Miss Fresh
field was standing, with her father,
Just at the entrance to the room. They.
too, curiously, were in ordinary even
ing dress. She looked her best. and at
sight of her my bad temper seemed to
vanish.
Here we are again!" said.
Miss Freshfield appeared to be COW
cred with confusion. She at first turned
white and then crimson, and then.
with a smile (Which was almost
laugh) said: "Oh, thought you were
never coming"
AS for h = father, he seemed scared
<,,< ~ he 1;Ro N0oad <vvan{oe,a NJ
Leight!" he said. "You, of all peo-
ple!"
1 then looked about me and burst
into a perspiration.
There were fully hundred people
there; dancing had stopped, and ev-
eryone was staring at me. / was the
only guest in fancy dress!
turned angrily to Mr.. Freshfeld.
what is the meaning of this, sir?"
asked.
II ask you." he replied, gravely.
ut is a breach of hospitality" I said.
"You invite me to fancy dress ball"
Fancy dress ball ?"' he interrupted.
Really, Mr.. Leight. l must repeat it,
am surprised at your coming like this."
Fortunately" l answered. curbing
my temper with difficulty, II have kept
the card"
At that stalked out of the room
dignified. in spite Of the costume.
drove back. furious. Arrived home.
at once looked at the card. But l
had never been in any doubt about it.
There stood fancy dress" right
enough.
tore the costume into shreds and
burned it.
The modification Of the thing made
me feel positively i'll. That should
have been made to look ludicrous be-
fore Miss Freshfield of all people.
would not rest until had found out
who was responsible fol- \ and would
have my revenge.
The next morning l drove to Mr.
Freshfeld's office. with the card. He
appeared to think at first that hat
come to apologize.
"Oh. it's all right" he said. Every
one was very amused-very amused
Mistakes will happen"
contained myself. 1 showed hin
the card. and asked him whose the
writing was. He read it. then exploded
vulgarly into peals of laughter.
20. the young rascal" he said. 20
the young rascal. All, well, boys viii
be boys. you know"
So it was that ape. Charlie.
WELL" / said, when he had recov
cred himself. land what do you propos
doing to him?"
20, I'll give him a good talking to
the young rascal" said his father.
l again managed to contain myself
"A talking to! Good heavens. Mr.
Freshfield." said. you do not seen
to appreciate the situation. If yo'
do not severely punish the lad l shall
certainly have to consider what right
the law gives me over him."
However. the father refused to thrasl
the young ruffian-or, anyhow. h
begged me not to insist on it. and final
ly got me to consent to be Statistic
with a pers onal apology from the boy
l was annoyed. as soon as l had lef,
that l had been as lenient as this.
hate your indulgent parents. The
are a danger to the state. Still. afte
all, it was Miss Freshfield's brother.
In the evening the boy came rount
looking sufficiently shamefaced.
"Well. sir:" said.
20. have come to say am sorry +
made you look such a fool yesterda
evening. Have you got me an
more foreign stamps?'
, So this was his apology.
l stared ut him for moment; the
. a great rage came over me. In tn
/ corner stood my walking cane. Pc
: haps l should not have done it. But
am human. A lady writer once sal
) there is nothing more beautiful to hes
. than the laughter of little child. Sh
l had not heard Charles yells. 1t
: good to me-passing good-to refle'
t that for some time to come Mast,
;, Charlie will never sit down witho,
e thinking of me. and. when he sleep
!, he sleeps on his side.
r As l remarked. perhaps 1 should n,
4 n.~A IT. u