The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7949, 12 October 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

A LKSSON IN C'HI'.SS. u "Kxcellcnlly, Nelly, my 'ove.' said Mr Rookby, looking up from his paper. "What is, dear ■"' "Some eminent chess players propose during this year, while there is so much interest shown in the name, each player should teach a novice how to play" ' "Yes, dear." "But that is not all," Mr Rookby Went on ; "another eninent player tes suggested that eaeh player should teach the game to a woman, so as to extend its lickl. Now, that seems to me a really promising, project." I "How funny." "Funny '.'" asked Mr Brookby, a ittle puzzled. "What is there tunny about it '.' I was thinking that I might <to my share by teaching you lo play. What do you say to that. eh?" "What ! You teach your wifcy to play old chessicums .' You old lovy. Course it will t" "Well, suppose I get the board and men ?" "Why, of course ! But wait a moment, and I'll tell Sarah to bring op some cocoa and biscuits—or would ¥0« prefer tea ? You can bavr cofiet if you'd rather , and then we'll have a really cosy time." "All right, my love." "But which shall it be ?" "Oh, I don't Care. It won't take long. I'll bring the board in here, I and you can put awav vour sewing' I and then—" "But you haven't told me which to uavc. Shall I say tea '" I "Yes ; make it tea. Or no. sav i ocoa. I d„ n 't really care." "You don't take anv interest m ' it, John" "Collec. then, niv darling" said Mr i Kockby, absent-mindedly, as he ar ranged the chessmen. The codec and biscuits were order- I C<l, and they sat down at the tnble.

I "The game, ml deal.' laid Mr litookby. "is after all i> said and idone. veiv simple " "Why. I've always Inv.vd (hat U was a wry studied name." "Of cuiuse. so i' is 111 a me.nure. "Hut why do they study over it. ii it is so simple .'"' -Well, it's like billiards. It's wry simple to le.un. hut ion can show anv amount oi skill m playing it" 'Can 1 .' Wh\. 'bat is wry Hatterins "I Vl,u '" ■''>>> "'• ll '•''' ""' s ''°' 1 think! know something about l < Is that on.; oi tin- d,-at litili—littbpawns ?" "No, Nelly ! that's a bishop.' ■•lJi;l it isn't fat enough (or a bishop, and it's broken- The lie-ad has a puce cut oil, and we must get a new one. now that we are going to play regularly." "Hut that's the way they make ihcui. That is meant to repies.'iil the bishop's initio-, you know." "Why. how interesting : 1 think chess is lovely '" "And this is the knight- He niovia one move straight and then one move sideways " "It was lowly oi uncle to rrnirmbcr how fond you were of chess. I don't suppose lie ever im.vi.in 'd I would learn so soon, did he '.'"

"I <lou't lielievc he did. And this is the castle, or rook." "But it's too small for the knight. He's as bis as the castle. He could not gel into it to save his life. What's this?"

"Thai's the ijueen. She is I lie most powerful piece on the board."

"Yes Chess is delightful • Wlni* did Uncle Henry find out that you knew how lo play ?"

"! don't kin,*-. We u.si ,1 to play together a good deal." 'You ili;l ' Win you never told me [about it. Ah. 1 know why ! I've found you oul, you sly man ! You Usui to gamble with him !" "Nonsei.se !"' .s.'id Mr Kookby. "No one ever gambles at chess. lis a game oi skill—in pure sciince. There is no luck in it."

"Do you mean lo say lhal one person always wins '" "Yes. except ior .uvi !■•«:,. ;n,. best player wins " "Can you beat Uncle Hcnrv '"

"No deal'- lit' is a very fine player. '' "What '.' That slirivt-llcd up olil man heals my John '.' Ho yuu mean, my dear, that lie has a finer intellect than you haw '.'" "Why—pr—no, I don't suppose »c has ; hut he ha.-, played longer than I have." "1 don't care n he has. 1 believe. >"" Ctuihl beat him if yuu Hie I. Don't you'.'" "And tins, my dear, is the kins. The ob.iict of the .name is to male the kin;;.'' "Hill isn't he alreade mated ' Who is llie i,vieen .'" "Why, she's jiisl the mK .;n. And )oii set them up thi* W ay. <Ju. on on her own coloui is the rule." "That isn't her own colour " "Why not 7" 'The qiicili's rid and You're putting hei on a black square." '! know. I i,iio\v. lint it's the same Hum," "Hcd and hlarl. Hi- same iliiii.lv'" "It's Hie same in ch.ss'' "Why. I shniisjil ii was sin h a logical game '" "Well, now, it's win mine, we'll

"Oh, John, I forgot to ask you■but did you posi that letter 'ihis morning .'" "1 think so. Yes, uh, yes ! Now, the lirsl time you- move you can giw a pawn two squares.'' I "Dins that male the kins; ''" "No, of curse not." 'Then what is ih,. use ol doing it ■; ISeems tome it's a w a s|eoi a liiuw. t'an'i 1 .iiisi move mil and male vour kins:.' Hut here's the enure. Will .you lake sugar in ii ■; Von know ■lltey say it's better for the digestion lo take it without, but .Verier mind. dear, Mow the pawn. Ido Ino' mind at all. And there's the bal.y ci.iim;. You'd kvller make a lew mods to get ii started, while I go and see to her Don't p„| them. •<».'>' : I'll he hack win n 1-abv goes to sliep. 1 enjoy it veiv much. I do, really." Mr Kookby put hack the men into Ho box as bis wile |,.fl ,| l( . n „ mi And when he picked up his. pa|)l ,- | us face wore a sardonic smile, a,„| b<' furne.l abruptly t„ n„, !)oljlica | editorials.