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Show THE BEE I GOT THE CHEQUE. 'TMIE governor always insisted that I was the black sheep of tho family, but I dont know that I havo ever committed any llagrant crime or breach of conventionality, unless getting into debt is a crime. The governor is such a straitlaced old chap, however, that he never fails to kick about coming to my financial assistance, and frequently declines outright to help me. Nevertheless, he is of a sociable disposition and not a bad sort by half, if you happen to striko him right I happened to striko him right for tho first time in my varied career when I mentioned at breakfast tho other morning, rather carelessly, that Mildred Van Clove was at the Waldorf and expected to sail on Wednesday for Europo. The governor glanced at me from under his shaggy eyebrows in a way that mado me whistle under my breath and suspect So, after tho other members of tho household had left tho dining room, I followed tho old gentleman into tho smoking room and spoke rather satirically of Miss Van Clove, to ascertain whether my suspicions were correct He becamo rattled at onco when 1 suggested that, as ho and Miss Van Clove were sailing on tho samo steamer, they ought to become good friends. Furthermore, 1 suggested seeing him off, but he implored mo most earnestly to go over to Philadelphia instead and caddy for my sister in tho golf tournament, and I, of course, dutifully consented. That very day I hastened down to tho steamship ottico and discovered that dad had engaged tho accustomed family suite, and had registered under an assumed name to escape tho reporters. That was another clow. Wednesday morning I started for the ferry with sis, but when we got there I mado an excuse and told her Id bo over Then I took a hansom and was driven on a later train. straight to the pier, so as. to bo able to personally present as a parting tho governor with a box of delicious grape-frui- t . gift. Dad is awfully fond of grape-fruitOnco aboard, I knocked gently at his stateroom door. It was opened, but by Miss Van Cleve. I gracefully waved her aside and walked in, my present in hand. There was tho governor, sure enough. Just run in to say bon voyage, I said blithely, and to remind you that you forgot to give me that cheque you promised. His face was a study. Oh yes, he said, reluctantly, Ill write it for you now. ) I produced a blank cheque, while Miss Van Cleve se cured pen and ink. Father tremblingly filled it out for an outrageously large amount, and Miss Van Cleve handed it to me. Im not. worrying a little bit about my debts in the future. COURTING IN TRANSVAAL COME curious details concerning the methods of court- ship and marriage in Transvaal are noted in one of the French journals. When a young man has reached the right age for contracting a marriage he first draws up a list of all tho marriageable young women of the neighboring districts ; then, placing a feather in his hat, starts on his matrimonial tour, r mounted on horseback. Arrived at the domicile he has chosen fer his first call, ho enters without speaking, producing a box of sugared a wax prunes (a dainty in high repute among the Boers) and candle, a speech symbolic, that is instantly understood by tho parents, and tho daughter as well. Tho prunes are intended as a gift to tho mother, and Tho candle is an ottering to tho young woman sometimes returned (which signifies that thoro is no ilamo in tho fair ones heart wherewith to light it). In this case tho rejected gallant remounts and rides away to try his luck with tho next on his list. But if tho candlo is accepted, it is lighted on tho instant, and tho mother obligingly withdraws her presence, placing a pin within an inch or two from tho top of tho burning candle, as a time limit for tho courting of tho young couplo. And tho alTair is terminated! It is not related whether tho fiancees are not sometimes unscrupulous enough to lower tho pin a bit, when mamas bad: is turned. As no mention is made of paterfamilias in the transaction wo arc led to supposo tho arrangement is no concern of his. IIow picturesquo in their primitivo simplicity aro tho usages of tho Transvaal in matters conjugal. It has been recently promulgated in France provoking considerable astonishment that President Kruger is doubly allied to the family of Cardinal Richelieu by marriage, both through his first and second wife, and niece. The Presidents first wife was born at Plesis one of Richelieus ancestral homes; she was descended from a French surgeon who went out to the cape in tho Seventeenth Century, in tho capacity of employe of the Holland Company of tho Indies. She died very young, and her only son soon followed her. The second wife, issue of tho same stock, still lives, and has borne her husband six children. Therefore, Uncle Paul is denominated by some mercurial Paris journalists, as the friend and ally of Franco. never refused. Paris, October "yHY 22d, 1899. did Governor Wells ignore foot ball in his proclamation? lie? Willie Thanks-givin- g Has grandpa got the fish most ready, Wil- All but taking off the shingles, mamma. ILLIE (in great surprise, as a donkey is driven by), My I should think that horses ears got am awful start of the rest him when he began to grow. ! the home of Absentmind pROM out of Rose a wail to thunder drown: Ma, pa has spanked the carpet behind, And hes tacked the baby down! ccJOOK, papa, said a little girl as she pointed up to the sky one evening; the moon is broken in two. A little while later she saw its reflection in a lake and exclaimed: Look, papa! There is the other piece. Wife: Im tired to death. Been having the babys picture taken by instantaneous process. How long did it take, then? Husband: Wife: About four hours. |
