Show AS THE ETIQUETTE BOOK SAID Two Small Country Boys Make Their First Call on Neighbors Daughters Grace MacGowan Cook in Ih Harpers The call was to be conducted on ap approved approved approved proved principles laid down In Hints and Helps a handbook on etiquette Abner began to repeat paragraphs from Hints and Helps It is best to remark he opened in an unusual voice YO lee How well you are looking although fulsome compliments should be avoided When seated ask the young oung lady who her favorite composer is Wha s a composer compos r inquired Ross with visions of soothing syrup in his mind mindA A tA man that makes up music Dont butt in that way you put me all out composer is Name yours y urs Ask Ak her what piece of music she likes best Name yours If the lady is musical here ask her to play or sing This chanted recitation seemed to have a hypnotic effect on the freckled boy his big pupils contracted each time Abner came to the repented Name yours Im tired already he grumbled but some spell sp ll made him rise and fare farther When they th y had entered the Claiborne gate they leaned toward each other like young saplings weakened at the root and locking branches to keep what shallow foothold on earth re regained remained gained Youre goin in first asserted Ross but without conviction It was his cus cue custom custom tom torn to tear up to this house a dozen times a week on his fathers old horse or afoot foot he was wont to yell for Champe as he approached and quarrel joyously with her while he performed such errand as he had come upon but buthe buthe buthe he was gagged and hamstrung now by bythe bythe bythe the hypnotism of scheme Walk Valk quietly up the steps ring the bell and lay your card on the servant quoted Abner who had never heard of ofa ofa ofa a server Lay your card on the servant servant echoed Ross lodge Theres Theresa a to cross after you go up the steps does it say anything about that It says that the card car should be placed on the servant Abner reiter reiterated reiterated doggedly If Cady dodges it aint any business of mine There are areno areno no flO porches in my book Just walk across it like anybody Well ask for Miss Champe Claiborne We Ve got any cards discovered discovered discovered ered Ross with hope I have announced d Abner pom porn pompously pompously I had some struck off in Chi Chicago Chicago Chicago cago I ordered em by mail man They got my ray name Pillow but theres a scat scalloped scalloped loped gilt border around it You can write your name on my card Got a pencil He produced the bit of cardboard Ross fished up a chewed stump of lead pencil took it in cold stiff tiff fingers and disfigured the square with eccentric know who its meant for f he lie said here likely to happen after we get rid of the card cardI I told tol you about hanging your hat haton haton haton on the rack and disposing your legs I remember now sighed Ross They The had been going slower and slower The angle of inclination toward each other became more and more pronounced We Ve must stand by each other whispered Abner I will if I can stand at all aU mur murmured murmured murmured the other boy huskily Oh Lord they had rounded clump of evergreens and found Aunt Missouri ri Claiborne placidly rocking on the front porch Directed to mount steps and ring bell b to lay cards upon the servant how should one deal with witha a plump lady of uncertain years in a rocking chair What should a caller caUer lay upon her A lion in the way could not have hae been more terrify terrifying terrifyIng terrifying ing Even retreat was cut off Aunt Missouri had seen them Hody boys I how are you she he said rocking peace peacefully peacefully I fully The two stood before her life detected criminals I |