Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1911 — Page 3

A Back Number

By JEANNE O. LOIZEAUX

Stanley Pieros, at hla desk in the middle office, bent his head over Ida bookkeeping, and wished to goodness that when he stayed to work overtime the girls in the outer office would go home and atop their chatter.. He "was at the head of his department, and was anxious that there should be »o errors—he was always coming to the office early and leaving late. His fine shoulders were stooped a little, and hla dark hair waa thinning on top. He waa probably thirty—he looked forty. Hla face was weary and passive. Then, hearing hla name spoken tn Queenie Dawson’s clear young voice _he looked up quickly, showing a pair of dark eyes, alert and keen. “Why Stanley Pierce?" she asked, and Rnthle Garter replied. % “Let’s asty him anyhow. He belongs to the force as much as we ” ‘‘More/’ snapped Queenie; “he’s a thousand years old ” Ruth interrupted her. “And U's the first free Saturday afternoon of the summer tomorrow, and we need another man for the picnic anyway. He may not go, but let’s ask him. He’s nice, and he'd enjoy It He lives *way oat somewhere with an old maid sister. It’s no wonder he’s drying up!" “I’m not a missionary!” retorted Queenie. “He’ll think it hla duty to go and will be a wet blanket on the fun. Imagine him trying to flirt! Do leave him in peace, girls, and ask a real, live man—he's a back number, a mere column of figures!” "No,” declared Ruth, and Cassie seconded her. 'x “He’s saved us from the chiefs Ire many’s the time—always doing somebody else’s work. “Oh, If you’re so smitten on him, Ruth, very, well! Only you’ll have the dullest day of-your life, for you’ll have to annex him—l won’t!” Then, some one seemed suddenly to be aware that the door was ajar; a frightened little silence followed. Pierce heard a suppressed giggle, and then he remembered ltwas shameful to listen, and stepped softly through the open door back Into the private office, now deserted. He was safely Inside when one of the girls looked Into the middle room, and marked relief that probably he had been out of hearing distance. Five minutes later, seemingly quite unconscious of the. others, W came out and prepared to leave. The girls gathered penitently about him -save Queenie, who held her head high and watched him from a corner as she adjusted-her hat .. "Come to a park picnlo with ua tomorrow, Mr. Pierce, do!” begged Ruthle, in her sweet fashion. “Let your garden go to weeds, and have a little fun! We’re a man short—and you need s change anyhow.” He considered the girl with amused eyes, then looked up to encounter the gaxe of Queenie. Her fair, aaucy face flamed, and her clear, blue eyes fell In confusion. It was a disturbing gaze for them both, but the man was cool enough. “1 shall be glad to come,” be said conventionally. “I had almost forgotten there were such things as picnics! |Btij|pre start fromitere?” 9 After discussing details for a moment, they separated. And Stanley Pierce went home to think. Had the girl been right? Was he a y£»t blanket to innocent fun? Queenie’s petulant, young voice, her -bright face, haunted his memory. The next afternoon, at Pierce’s suggestion, the little basket-laden party In the lnterurban car passed the pack and he got off at a strip of open wlldwood. All June blossomed and aung about them, and there was much merry finding of flowers, wandering «bout the grassy hillsides, much story telling and laughter. Clark Miller stayed near Ruth, and each of the other girls had her satellite. But, with determined but unostentatious steadiness, Stanley Piercefastened himself to Queenie Dawßon, pretending not to mark the malicious Joy of the rest Annoyed at first the girl was soon' interested, finally pleased. The “back' number” was so entertaining that at length the whole group came under his spell. . Why had they not seen before that he was an out-of-doors man? Why had he hidden hla knowledge of flowers and plants, of wlldwood creatures, his quick, humorous observations on life In general? v :

Toward evening they began to think of a place to spread the supper, but he said be knew the loveliest spot Imaginable, and not so far away, if they would come with him. Immediately the band was on the march. Pieros, still with Queenle beside him, led the way, plucking a flower for her here, helping her under a fence there, once cutting a willow twig and making her a whistle that would have delighted the heart of a small boy. And he lifted her like a child over a little brook. Looking up at him she caught the Arm, clean line of tiS Jaw, the width of his shoulder. His soft hat was rakishly on one side. Out here he seemed no longer to stoop; the heavy look left his sac was ten years younger the office. And soon, making a sudden turn in a winding path, they came to a quaint veranda-surrounded cottage set in the side of a green hill. An old-fashioned picket fence shot in a garden fairly hunting with eld-fashioned bloom.

Green young vines half covered the cottage. X,_ "Oh, what a dream of a place!” said Queenie. “Thank yon for showing ft to us! Do fairies live here, I wonder? No; I suppose It’s only some cross old lady with a,dog who would bite us If we so much aa smelled a rose.” Pierce Jaugfaed and handed the girl a key, as he opened the gate for her and the others. "Do I look like a cross old ladyr he asked. “Come in. Didn’t you know I was a farmer? Pm going to send you men back for the baskets while the girls go In and make coffee on my gas range.” Now, the man was captain, indeed. The little artistic gem of a house was a delight, and he explained that his sister had gone east to care for a sick aunt, but he was quite old enough to be chaperon. And they ate on the little green lawn among the flowers,-and were very happy and content. ThijLwas the beginning of things. Every few Saturdays, sometimes on a Sunday and with somebody’s mother along, the little group, with slight changes in the personaeLJrat always Including Queenie and Ruth, came to make merry in the flower-filled garden. Stanley Pieros changed wonderfully, taking on new life. His shoulders straightened; his eyes brightened. He was prompt at work, but ceased staying overtime, and stopped bearing the office sins of others. He was freer, ‘more Independent, and showed a force which the firm noted. They had a fear that they might lose him, that he had awakened to his own value. So they promoted him, with an Increase of salary—and responsibility. But Queenie sobered as summer advanced. Her two weeks’ vacation brought her back pale and listless. She seemed quiet, older by years. In that two weeks, she had not seen Pierce, and she -had dismissed John Harter. The girls thought she might be regretting her j latter move, and Pierce overheard them discussing It Suddenly his undertanding opened to the hope that had been all summer ly•ing warm at his heart. —— ' The next Saturday he asked them all to his house, and while the others were eager, Queenie seenied indifferent. But the rest rallied her and she finally went. This time Miss Nancy waa at home, and met them' In her pleasant, Incisive way, explaining that she had just come back for her things —she was needed indefinitely back east. “Stan" was a good housekeeper, she averred, and when he grew tired of his own company he could fool some girl Into marrying him —men worse than he did it every day! She was very entertaining and, to Queenie, embarrassing, though: the girl could not have said why. She was self-con-scious. After supper, they wandered out In the twilight, first one couple and then another ingeniously losing itself abput the grounds. Pierce and Queenie ant for a while on the veranda, then he led her down the winding path to the ruetic seat beneath the big oak, and tn silence they watched the fireflies blase out In the dewy grass, and the stars prick out from the background of dark velvet sky. Then the moon rose. Pierce made some careless remark to the girl, but she did not answer, so he stooped to look closely at her. Tears shone in her eyes, and then she covered her face with both hands. He put his arm about her and drew the little head to hla shoulder. She turned her face against his coat and began to cry softly. "Queenie, Queenie!” be said, "do you—care? Will you marry me? Surely'you have long known that I love you, dear!” She drew nervously away from him and sat up, laughing a little. “What Is the trouble, Queenie? You’ve not been yourself this long time. Don’t you care? Tell me!” “Well,” she faltered, “you will think me an —awful little—goose, but l couldn’t help it.” She paused. “Help what?” he said, drawing her back, quite willing, to hla arms. i‘l thought you might not —really care. I thought you heard me call yon a —back number, aud hprrid things, once In the office, and were simply—getting even! I war worried to death!” It was hla time to laugh. “Do you suppose my man's ears are-pricked up to hear all the girl chatter in that 6tflce? And would It make any difference If a girl did call me a back number, so-4ong aa ahe atoned for It by mnrrylng me?” Then they .heard the others coming and realized that even for lover's the lnterurban oar system has a heartless, fixed, time schedule. Misinterpreted Question. “That was an intentional misunderstanding.” said Senator Bankhead, in a political argument In Fayette. “It was as Intentional as the young Canadian’s. “A young Canadian, you know, came to Washington last month to spend the holidays with a pretty cousin and her family. xil; 1 “As he tras motoring with hla pretty cousin one afternoon, ahe said to him:! * -* ” ’Do you have reindeer in Canada?* ** ‘No, darling.’ he answered quick]?) ’at this season it always snows. 1 *

SPELLING TOO HARD

Irish Language Too Difficult for Many. , xv.-" Conveyed In Alphabet Of Much Artistic Beauty and There Is Nothing Arbitrary About It—System le - Genuinely Scientific. Chicago.—The Dublin correspondent 3f the Dally News writes: A curious and noteworthy sign of the-times in Ireland is the fact that at this moment of political tension, with a general election In prospect and a concentrated interest in party struggles, so much »PA"o should be devoted In the newspapers to an animated discussion as to how the Irish language should be spelled. - - * The controversy Is carried on by traditionalists and spelling reformed with a zeal and earnestness and occasionally with a warmth of temper hitherto reserved for politics. ' Everybody Is very serious about it and shows to the full that whatever line he take's he is convinced of Its vital Importance to theTrlsh language movement and the value of that movement to the Irish nation. lx Irish has a very wonderful spelling/ conveyed in an alphabet of much artistic beauty. Many people are familiar with a version of Irish words found In the novelists In English transliteration. They would be startled at the appearance of the words in the Irish spelling, even when the English went [airly close to the pronunciation. - Yet there la nothing arbitrary about the Irish spelling; it is a genuinely scientific system. It has none of the inconsistencies and anomalies of English spelling, which have provoked the reforming zeal of Mr. Roosevelt When you have mastered Its rules you can have no ddtrbt as to the pronunciation of any word. But Its rules are not easy to master and many Irish enthusiasts have come to realize that the preliminary necessity of studying a difficult spelling system is a deterrent to the study of Irish and an obstacle to Its popularity. Nor are the reformers found only or mainly among the learners or the inexperienced. Distinguished professors have taken the lead. Professor Bergin, of the National university, and Professor O’Noyan, of St. Patrick’s college; Maynooth, are among the leaders of the movement, and it is said that Canon O’Leary, a writer who has some of the best work in original Irish writing since the Gaelic League was started. Is not opposed to reform. Of course, these learned men have no difficulty with the traditional spelling; it is child’s play to them. What they are thinking of la the learner. _ Irish, says Professor Bergln, is In some Irlsh-speaklng districts decaying as the older generation of Irish speakers dies out, and he believes that unless a radical alteration Is made, In a few years over nine-tenths of Ireland there will be no Irish and In the remaining tenth It will be understood but not spoken. It will have no chance with the young against English. As he phrases it, the old letters and the old spelling are strangling the language and to use them Is like using bows and arrows against machine gilns. >

Furs to Be Much Cheaper.

Paris. —Pleasant news for the women, is contained in a report from the French consul at St. Petersburg that the hunting returns from Siberia promise a reduction In the prices of furs.

London Store Will Be Wonder

Shopping There Can Be Executed by Means of Wleeiess Telegraph From Bteamer. London.—Midocean shopping will be one of the features of the new "White* the foundation stone of which was laid in Queen’s rogd by the mayor of Paddington. The millionaire who is on his way to England from America this year will be able to fix the details, of his stay In this country from his saloon on the liner.'' * - A wireless message to Whlteley’s, and an estate will be Immediately purchased for him In town or country. Another message to the provision department and the house or castle will be stocked with provisions, while on his arrival a ten-course dinner will be prepared for him in his new home and an army of servants will be ready to wait on his every wish. The wonders of the new Whlteley*s will be sufficient to throw cold water on the feats of Aladdin and his magic lamp. And the romance of Whlteley’s Is as great ps any romance which may be found in the “Arabian Nights.” Prom a two-storied shop, whose provisions consisted of a few tons of biscuits and other grocery odds and ends, a giant store arose, and the giant store Is now to be a shopping palace large enough to contain two or three cathedrals. 'v r _ The new palace wiirbe for the rich and poor alike. The woman who wishes to purchase a pound of tea may take the air In the Italian garden on the root, where In summer deck chairs will be set beneath shady palms and facing flower gardens devised by horticultural artists. On an upper floor the shopper’s children will be provided with a sandy beach and buckbuckets and spades ahd nurses while their mother makes purchases < below. . The new Whlteley’s will have a ver-

VOLCANO CAUSES 400 DEATHS

MANILA.— It is estimated that at least 400 lives have been lost u are suit of the eruption of Mount Taal, the volcano that is on a little Island in the middle of Lake Taal, about 34 miles from this city. Half a dozen native villages were destroyed, mainly by a tidal wave on the lake that-followed the first eruption. The people of Manila are In fear of an eruption of Mount M&yon, the other volcano of Luzon, but Mayon has been quiet for some time and so far is showing no threatening disturbance.

BAR CIGAR LIGHTER

Those Who Use Them in France Arrested. -xx k Government Hae Monopoly on Matches and Betting Machines and Intends to Keep Strong Hold on* Both—Case to Be Fought. Paris.—" Liberty, Equality, Fraternity/’ or the French equivalent, chiseled in stone, looks down upon the French population from the front of every public building, but more and more the people are asking why. Certain threatetned acts of legislation and performances by the police authorities have served to stimulate their wonder recently. X Automatic Cigar-lighters, carried In the pocket and performing their office at the pressure of a button, have gained considerable popularity here. They provide a flame whenever one la wanted, while one French match in three may be counted upon to 4teappoint the man who attempts to use It. But the order has gone forth that every person seen using one of the little machines is to be arrested and fined ten francs ($2), and the automatic lighter confiscated. There Is even talk of enacting a law to prohibit the use of stationary lighters In the cigar stores. The object of these moves Is to Insure a clear field for the government match-making monopoly. With all substitutes out of the way everyone willy be compelled to bny the matches manufactured by the republic of France, shat many of them refuse to light is of no Importance. Their pur-

satlle staff, who will cope with every little social difficulty, which faces their clients. Coming-of-age speeches will be provided at moderate prices. Country clients who do not know their way about town will be met at the station, conducted to Queen’s road and seen safely home again. These are a few of the wonders which will be placed before the public In a year’s time, when the single stone which was laid will have grown into the greatest store the world has ever known.

LONDON AIR RUINS PICTURES

Bulphurie Add in City's Bmoke Declared to Be Injurious to Valuable Art Treasures. London. —If London wishes to be on the safe side it might better dispose of Its picture treasures to art loving Americans or see that they are covered with Impenetrable material of some kind. Speaking of the injurious action of sulphuric acid on the various materials used for the- foundations of paintings and drawings, Bir Arthur Church, professor of chemistry at the Royal Academy, remarked that there was poured out every year Into the atmosphere of the British metropolis a million tons of soot, which comes chiefly from chimneys and gas burners. “That is a very‘moderate estimate, too,’’ said this authority. “One man who wished to minimize it •ai<f~trhlf a million tons, but even that is quite enough. It Is not the soot itself which does the damage, after It pours from thw chimneys, but every particle of soot has a little sulphuric acid in it If might be remembered, also,” added Sir Arthur, "that London breathes this same output, bdt that's up to the medical folks.* '* 1 1

chase helps Insure the national revenue. Several men who dare to carry automatic lighters have been arrested and fined. Alleged competition with another government monopoly was given a blow at the Auteull racecourse the other day. M. Thlebaux and M. Bally Btood side by side watching a race. “I believe my horse is going to win,” said Thlebaux, studying the field with his glasses. “I don’t think so," said Bally. “I’ll bet you two to one that it does," challenged Thlebaux. “Done," responded his companion, “fifty dollars to twenty-five." Then each man was tapped on the shoulder. . A man behind them Informed them that he was a detective, that they had broken the law forbidding private betting and would have to answer for It. Under the French law all bets made must be placed with the “pari-mutuel,” which Is government operated. This case will be fought In the courts as a test of the law.

BILL FOR LUXURIES IS HUGE

Extravagance, Not Prosperity Alone, Seen In Figures Complied at New York Port. New York. —Those who - maintain that/the extravagance of the American people threatens the national jjrdsperity are finding support for their claim In some statistics jupt compiled of expenditures on account of luxuries imported during the last year. ' /'xX These figures show that about $50,000,000 was paid out for diamonds, precious stones and jewelry imported, or a larger outlay than was ever before made on this score. Even this amount seems small compared with the sum of $120,000,000 devoted to various forma of woman’s wearing apparel, including furs, laces, hats, gowns and toilet requisites. On art objects Americans expended a trifle of $28,000,000, while furaishl gs for wealthy homes, Including china, glass and porcelains, mgs, hankings and antiques of different kinds, accounted for $40,000,000 more of the sum spent abroad. For foreign wines and liquors another $25,000,000 was expended, about one-quarter of this representing Che cost of imported champagnes. The tobacco bill paid by Uncle Sam to other nations amounted to $33,000,000, and there are many minor ltemr In the list, such as $7,000,000 for foreignmade toys and a like sum for horses and automobiles. Altogether these eight items in the list of luxuries purchased abroad, chiefly from Europe, in the last year amount to over $300,000,000. Two-tblrda of this sum, say the critics, might better be kept at home. Its expenditure, they bold, la not an Index of prosperity, but of a growing habit of extravagance which ultimately will injure the progress of the country If It la continued.

Cute and 101.

New York. —"Cute and 101,” is John M. Butler’s description of-. himself, spoken after quaffing four lemonades the other day at the celebration of hla birthday anniversary at hla daugbter’s home. Ocean Grove. N. J. Butler had a hearty breakfast, walked to Asbury Park for a shave, and walked back again to "hit up” the lemonade with well-wishers who called. “My mind la aa keen as ever and I’m cute yet,” he said over hla fourth glass. "The only trouble I a I can’t see aa well aa I used to. When It cornea to business you have got to be the eaay boss to live long.”

WITH THE BEST POETS Sweet was at evening'* close, Up yonder hill, the viltbge niurarar mm rhere a* I passed with careless steps and slow, rbe mingling notes came softening from below; X The swain responsive to the milkmAMt sung; ‘ The sober herd that lowed to meet their young; The noisy geese that gabbled o’er the pool; The playful children Just let loose from school; The watchdog** voice that bayed the whispering wind, And the loud laugh that spoke the vacant mind— These all in sweet confusion sought the shade,. Anl filled each pause the nightingale had made. •. .- X-e*.-.. -X-......Goldsmith. XJie Perfect Poem. Into the perfect poem three things go— The poet’s heart, the lave of woman, God: These with thetf- light and might and fiery glow \ Transform the singing what were else a clod. Bee how she runs across the grass, yon girl! Swaying and swinging, lily-tall and sweet! What joyful cadence In the wind-blown curl! -‘X What chiming rhyming In the dew-shod feet! —' ' -V-V- -- • ’ t jx ■: • "x The balanced arms are strophes and the knees f— Xsfcr 1 : —--~~- Bend like a supple couplet smboth and strong— The whole a lilting lyric! Who looks sees My perfect daughter, hears my perfect song. —Pall Mall Gazette. You Belong to Me. Cupid’s arrows all are tipt With kisses, and you know He is fairly well equipt And boasts a well-strung bow. Quick of eye and true of aim. He wanders far and wide; Hearts alone are all his game. And, Love hla only pilde. Have a care then how you tread The garden paths today. Lest an arrow swiftly sped Should find you on Its way. • ■ - ■ -XXXj I have sent hlirt forth to get The heart for which I pins; When he brings it I shall let Him put It close to mine. So I warn you. have a care; But if you choose to be Just as brave as you are fair. Then you belong to me! —Frank Dempster Sherman. The Hills of Rest. Beyond the last horizon’s rim. Beyond adventure’s farthest quest. Somewhere they rise, serene and dim. The happy, happy Hills of Rest. Upon their sunlit slopes uplift The castles we buHt in Spain— While fair amid the summer drift Our faded gardens flower again. Sweet hours we did not live go by To soothing note oh scented wing; In golden lettered volume lie The songs We tried ip vain to sing. They are all there; the days of dream That built the Inner lives of men; The silent, sacred years we deem They might be and they might hast been. Some evening when the sky Is gold I*ll follow day Into the west; Nor pause, nor heed, till I behold The happy, happy Hills of Rest. —Albert Bigelow Paine. A Model. Tou wish a picture of the Summer Girl? Find one whose winter conquests have not bound her. Dress her In white—or blue—with hat» a-swirl. And fluffy laces undulating round hsr; Have a low, cushioned willow chair assigned her, .... And spread a dainty parasol behind her. Jewels—a few. If simple—may be worn. But do not fall to introduce some rosea. Her beauty must be fresh as early dawn. And all the grace of youth Impel her poses. Then, for the right expression, fix the eyes on The figure of a Man on the horizon! —Brooklyn Ufa . Living. A wearied pilgrim. T have wandered here Twice five and twenty, bate me but one , year. , Long have I lasted in this world, 'tie true. x,/ But yet those years, that I have lived are few. Who bv his gray hairs doth his lusters tan. < Uves not those years but hs that lives them well. One man has reached his sixty years, but he . ‘ - Of all those threescore has not lived half three. ' r He lives who lives to virtue. Men who, Their ends ft* pleasure do not Uve, but last. ' - i^iArricfc. - S - r ■ \! Science ia^-Natur*. Tou babble of your “conquests of the air.” Of Nature’s secrets one by one laid bare. Her secrets: They are evermore withheld; Til only in her porches you have dwelled. Could you once lift the veil ae yoU de» Tou "wem burnt up aa chaff before the •™- • a. . ,V ■ X When wMI you learn your rank and place In Mind? r j . Art may create; Science can only KM. ' j. Tou hut nibble at Troth: your vaunted lore Ts the half-scornful alma thing from ,hg» Tour Ups her weak and have known: ; t The unthlnned vintage Is for Ood’t alonfe, 1, ■ . The Best I* Yet to Be. Grow old along with me! J t The best Is yet to be. *’ X#Mb Vv,,X The last of life, fpr which Jhe flrtt was made; Our ttries are la His hand. V “ Who salth. “A whole I planned: Touth shows but hall; trust God; see all. nor be afraid’ —Robert Browning, ,