Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1914 — An Attempt At Conversion [ARTICLE]

An Attempt At Conversion

By EUNICE BLAKE

“Jim.” staid Ned. “what do yon suppose has happened In our family?” “Whatr ’bailie has joined the suffragette movement. She's full of it, as all new converts are of the cause they are concerted to. She’s bound to march in a big procession they’re preparing for And, worst of all, it’s making her a man hater." “Edith has gone tbe same way. I’ve lectured and scolded to no purpose. She says that women have been subjugated long enough, and it’s time for them to achieve their independence.’’ “1 wonder. Jim, if you could have any more effect on Sallie than 1. I think admires you. Maybe if you a little attention and bring in your antipathy to tbe suffra gette movement* you might draw her away from it." “And you might try for the same result with Edith. But. Tor my part. I wouldn't come down on her fad at first Id out Herod Herod till 1 got some control over her. and then I'd put tbe screws on.” ■ ■ Right you are! If you agree we’ll start in at once. Will your sister be at home this evening?” “I reckon so.” A few weeks later these two young men met on the street where a parade of suffragists was forming. Each man carried a banner on which was inscribed ’’Votes For Women.” “Hello. Jiin'” ■’Hello. Ned!” “What you doing with that thing?” “The same as you’re doing with yours, 1 suppose,” “I’m playing suffragist In order to work my way into the good graces of your sister.” “And I’ni doing the same to ingratiate myself with your sister.” There was silence for a few minutes, each eying the other somewhat coir temptuousiy. “Seems to me.” said Jim, “that you look ridiculous holding up a banner like that.” “How do you.think you look your self?” ”1 couldn’t say it to any one except you. but I’m on the eve of an en gagement with your sister, and its arranged between us that if i’ll march just this once with a suffragette parade she'll have me. She says it’s a matter of pride with her before sheering ofi from the cause to show the sisters that she doesn’t do it to please any man. her fiance being in favor of votes for women.” “That's funny. I have the same arrangement with Edith.’’ “You have?” “Of course I have. Do you want me to keep saying it all day?” ~ “Well. I’ll be jlnged!” At that moment came an order to fall in. and each one of these young men shamefacedly took |>osttion in the ranks, and beside each was tbe girl he was converting. But the procession had no sooner moved than each girl dropped i>ehind the man with whom she h. ! made the agreement aforesaid and. taking a stuffed club from a neigh bor in the ranks, went through a pan tominie <»f striking the banner carrier before her. only the club was not per rnitted to reach his back The rouse quence was that tlie s|>eetators were enjoying a [»erfprmauce of which the principals .were ignorant. Finally a blow fell unintentionally on Ned’s shoulder. He turned and saw the ranks in the rear laughing at him. Throwing down his banner, he left the procession in high dudgeon. The lines moved on. and pretty soon along came Jim. whom Neds sister was treating in the same way Ned had been treated “Come out of that. Jim. You're mak ing a guy of yohrself. . Look behind you ” i Jim turned and saw a dozen or more women showing their pearly teethexcept those that were golden—and he. too. threw down his banner and joined his friend Tbe two elbowed their way through the crowds of spectators, not speaking till they reached one of those side streets whereon are located peaceful homes. "It’s my opinion.” said Ned. “that we’ve been done” “I think you're right.” “I could have told you that any such contract as that when made with my sister Sallie would be a snare.” “And I could have told you that any man who would make such a contract with my sister Edith was a natural born fool.” “Here’s the club. Suppose we drop in for rest and refreshment’’ “Suppose we do.” Later Ned received a phone message from Sallie that Edith would be with her In the evening and he was asked to bring Jim around. When they found the two girls together they were in formed that they had both confided their plan of conversion to others and -there had been a leak. The girls laugh ed heartily, but the boys couldn't see tbe joke. > 7be re was a coolness between Ned and Edith- and Jim and Sallie which, considering Hie position the girls had placed the young men in. bade fair to be Interminable, but a treaty of peace was finally concluded, the girls agreeing net er to do so again. The making itp proved very pleasant, and the boys found that the girls being suffragists was no reason why they would not Ils ten to a tale of love.