Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 352, 27 January 1907 — Page 12

HIRAM9S LUOECV

WITH a whoop the Caldwell children rushed out to greet their -father, and Mrs. Caldwell hurried after them to head off . any raids on the green bob sled. . "Get everything, father?", , she called, as she peered out of the storm door. , : "Get a plenty," he called back, with an attempt at hearttlness that caused her to glance quickly at the eled. She had heard those half apologetic tones before and knew what they meant. '. Back in the sled, covered by a blanket, was a square-package. It was not the right shape for cracker boxes nor tall enough for a barrel. She drove the children into the house and shrouding her head in an old wool fascinator she followed out to the barn, where Hiram was already unhitching the tired team. . She made straight for the sled

and threw aside the blanket, disclos. lng a smalT soda fountain. "What did you pay for this?" she demanded, Indicating the square of stained marble with Its tarnished spigots. "Six dollars and thirty cents,", he said, the red surging into his face. "The man said the metal is worth. tore'n that." "Then you didn't have anything fieft for the presents?" she asked, reproachfully. "O, Hiram! And after you promised." , "But look here," he argued. There's bound to be another store set up. Maybe they'll want a fountain and I can sell this at a big profit.."; There was no use in arguing. Ever since they had been married she had tried to persuade Hiram to stop buying things at auction, but It was a passion with him as It had been with his father before him. . He had never before made quite THINK I'll stir up some batter cakes for supper," said Nell Latta, smiling gaily to herself. "I "She gets prettier every day of her life," thought her Uncle Bob, stopping to look at her as he passed the open door of the kitchen. Nell had put on a clean starched 'dress, and as she stepped from cupboard to table and from table to etove, the swing of her slim body and the smile of her red mouth seemed happier than usual. At last the old man spoke to her. "Nell," he said, "there will be Just me and you for supper. I told Jesse Thomas I didn't want him any more." The girl turned to him in surprise. "Not want him any more! Why? I thought you said he was the best hand you'd had this two years!" she said slowly. "Yes, he Is that," said her uncle. Then with a mild petulance In his manner, "That ain't what's the matter with him though. He's too tall. I can't abide such a big thing around me. Makes me feel I ought to clear off my own premises." He smiled a little as he spoke, as If he knew that his motion was more or less foolish, then hurried off promising to wash off in time for supper. ' "Too tall!" said the girl to herself. Jesse Thomas too tall!" Her face had grown suddenly grave and her movements slow. "O course Uncle Bob's little," she thought, "and so shy that he can't stand many people. I know he never did like folks to be too big but to send away a man at this time of year, for any such reaBon!" Then suddenly she stopped in her work, and dropped weakly into a chair. "Why, I never thought. Jimmy's tall. I believe he's taller than Jesse 1 GRAY looked up with a smile as Eugenia entered the office. "What kindly fate brings you here?" he demanded, as "he rose to receive her. "Charity," she smiled back. "You know, our fair is next week." "As though I have not been saving since the last event," he announced, with mock seriousness. "I am a willing victim. How much are the tickets?" "I'm not selling tickets," she explained. It's chances on a ring- a diamond ring." "Now, that's odd," he mused aloud. "There is only one thing In (he world I should rather have than chances on a diamond ring." "What's that?" she asked quickly. "I've got chances for an automobile and a gold watch and a cornet. Is it any one of those?" "It's none of those," he explained. "It's some one to give the ring to one particular some one." "I'm afraid that I can't sell chances on that, she said. "Do you want coma chances on the ring?" Gray drew out a $5 bill. "Put that on the ring." he said. "We'll leave the rest to chance." "That's twenty chances," explained Eugenia. "Shall I pick out the numbers for you?" "If you will be so good," he assented. "No, don't tell me what they are; I want to be left in doubt until the very last moment. I suppose the minister will do the drawing and .pick the number out of the hat. He

so ridiculous a purchase as a soda fountain, but he never acquired anything worth while. lie bought cheap for the love of buying, things so old or useless that no one else would bid. Were it not for the little shop that Mrs: Caldwell kept in the front room for the beneSt of the neighbors, the mortgage would have been foreclosed, years go. As it was, she kept up the interest" with the meagre profits of the little store and the egg and butter money. ' This and some of the grocery money had gone into this ugly, useless fountain. In the'fascinations for the sale all else was forgotten. The next morning Hiram hailed a passing acquaintance . and together they installed the fountain behind the tiny counter that had once been part of McQuiston's store before the sheriff had seized the goods.

It was several weeks. before Mrs. Caldwell was satisfied, but at last she had to admit that the gleaming marble with its polishel spigots gave "tone" to the place. When the days grew warm the Ice box was filled, and lemon soda and home-made birch and ginger beer were dispensed to the youngsters of the neighborhood. '' Then came a day when;one of the big red automobiles that went flashing down' the road on the way to the falls stopped in front of the ; yard. A leathern clad man tramped up the gravel walk and returned to the car with three glasses of birch beer. When he came back with the empty glasses he drained two more himself and threw down a quarter. "You ought to .have a bigger sign,.", he said, as he set down his glass. , "I barely made out the place myself." , "I guess I will," said Mira as she laid down 15 cents. , "That's worth five cents a glass,"

AFTER

Thomas," she said to herself. "And it will never do for me to like him so much, nor to let him come here, nor to " the girl blushed faintly, and the tears came to her eyes. "I wonder what I ought to do. I don't see how I can give up." She thought, miserably. "I THINK. I'LL STIR UP SOME SAID Her uncle ate supper with a partner more than usually silent that evening. He looked at her once or twice during the progress of the meal, I will draw a paper and. read a number. Then you will look up from your book and he will say "The lucky number is held by Mr. Philip Gray. Then I'll get after it, and well, let us hope." Eugenia smiled as she made note of the numbers and tripped out, leaving the dingy little office dingier than ever. Gray went back to his desk and tried to complete his brief, but it was no use. What interest had the dry facts of law for him when Eugenia had been there? It was seven days before the fair opened, and another week before the drawings were held. Gray's promise was wrong, for the numbers were drawn from the wheel by Eugenia's dimpled hand. The minister simply stood on the platform and supervised the drawing. . Eugenia flashed a smile at him as the drawing for the ring was announced. Slowly the wheel ceased its revolution and came to a stop. Eugenia thrust her hand into the interior and drew out a slip. "Number nine," announced the minlste?, taking up one of the books. "That chance, I perceive, is held by Mrs. Foster. Will Mrs. Foster come forward?" Mrs. Foster did come forward, all in a flutter over her good fortune. So excited was she that only Gray from his place near the platform, watched Eugenia. The smile had fled from her face and tears sparkled in her eyes. The rest of the drawing passed off

he said. "You'll never make money at two cents a glass. You'd better raise wour price and begin with me." He pushed the money back to her and, with a courteous doffing of hia cap, he was off. Mira was slow of thought but quick in action. When the auto sped down the road on its way back to the city, a huge sign decorated the fence. Mira had sacrificed one of her scanty store 'of sheets, but already she had sold 20 glasses of soda at a net

l-profit of 80 cents. , Her visitor of the morning drew up again. "My sisters enjoyed tthe soda so much that we want more," he said with a smile. ; "I see you have the sign out."- t "Made it with stove blacking," said Mira proudly. "I didn't have any paint." "It does first rate," he declared. "Had any result?" "This makes a dollar.sixty," said Mira. "That's more than I take in usually in a week." "Advertising 13 the secret of success, he pronounced. "Keep it up and you'll be needing some assistants soon." It was several days before that particular auto stopped in front of the weather-beaten gate. This time the driver was alone. He drank a glass of gingerjale and asked for a sandwich. ( : This was a new demand, but there was part of a chicken left from Sunday and presently Gertrude came in with a dainty sandwich that brought fresh praise from the visitor. "You'll have to make a new sign," he said as he set down the empty plate. "With home-made bread, fresh butter and chicken that never heard of the beef trust, you've an article that can't be beaten. Look' here," he added, "why don't you start a real inn. There are hundreds of autos in town. The road to the falls and smiled at her preoccupation "I reckon you must be goln out tonight," he said. "Is It Margaret Taylor has a party?" Perhaps you'll see that man you used to tell me about, that wasn't to be any bigger than your old uncle, and that was to suit us both. If you. find him, just BATTER-CAKES FOR SUPPER,' NELL. bring him home with you. What's that? Stay an keep me company? Not a bit of -It. Go and have your good times, and I'll be all right. I'll

THE CHURCH -PAIR

quickly, and Gray pressed forward to meet the girl as she descended from the platform. "Better luck next time," he laughed. "Twenty chances In 1000 was too small a margin." "I think it is horrid," said the girl, softly, her eyes filling again." "Let's go and get some supper and console ourselves," he laughed. "Being a mascot with the chances 20 to 1000 is too heavy a job for one little woman. It's all for charity, anyhow." Eugenia seemed to take the matter so much to heart that Gray had a hard time winning her back to her usual good spirits. But as they started for her home the sight of Mrs. Foster just ahead seemed to depress her again. "I just hate that woman!" she said, passionately, as they passed her and the exuberant winner made some laughing remark about her luck. "I suppose I shouldn't, though. That's what I get for trying to cheat." "Cheat?" he echoed. "How is that?" . "You see," she explained, averting her head, "I wanted to see you win the prize When I go, the numbers ready I kept out No. 6, and when it came time to draw for the ring I held that in my hand when I drew the number." "And you dropped it as you put your hand in." he laughed. Somehow Eugenia's offence did not seem very enormous. "No," she explained. "That was the horrid part. You see, I was so

Is the best hereabouts and there's no chance to buy decent food. Put some tables out under the trees. Put in a stock of sirups and a tank of soda. AdtL eome ice . .cream and .cake and keep everything just as homelike as you can." Gertrude clapped her hands. We'll do it, mother," she cried. "Can't you see what he means? Thank you, so much, for your suggestion." "Look here," he said. "That old stump by the gate is no use is it?" "We're going to have it pulled when Hiram gets the time," said Mira, apologetically. "We've been meaning to do it ever since the lightning struck it." "Don't do it," her patron almost shouted. "I've got a bully idea. Let me be the godfather of the place and I'll make a sign out of the tree for a christening present." He was back again early the next mornig. He smiled appreciatively

as he saw salf a dozen small tables scattered about under the trees. The grass had been mowed and the place looked fresh and inviting. "Under his direction a man he had brought with him began to hack at the tree. An auto party came up Just then and took possession of one of the tables. Gertrude went off to wait on them and by the time they had taken their departure the wood carver had completed his task, "The old stump, denuded of Its bark, stood splintered and torn but with a smooth oval on its face. "That doesn't seem to be' anything," said Gertrude, as she regarded his work. . . "It will be a work of art before I get through with It," he explained, "or my name Isn't Earnest Paynter. "Is It?" are you really Mr. Paynter, the artist?" she asked, finding that fact of greater interest than the sign. go to bed soon, and be ready for the extra work I'll have to do tomorrow." She avoided Jimmy as well as she could the Jimmy who was beginning to be so Important to her. When he asked to bring her home, however, she had not the heart to refuse him. Their voices woke her uncle up and with a shy delight he peeped out the window at the two figures standing in the moonlight the girl small and fair, the boy dark haired and tall, bending eagerly down to her. Suddenly the words they were speaking arrested his attention. "Yes," said the girl, In answer to some question the boy was repeating to her, "of course I like you, but I don't want I can't, I won't talk about It, and and I thfnk you'd better not come with me any more, either." Then she gasped. "Jimmy, don't look like that!" she added desperately. The boy straightened his shoulders, and moved a little bit away from her. "I won't stop," he said, shortly. "I never cared for any girl before, and I do love you, and I mean to have you for my wife. You said you liked me," he ended timidly, and turned toward her with a sudden impulsive appeal. The girl answered him sadly, but so clearly that her words were plain to the listener in the window as well as to the boy beside her. "I do like you, but you must not care for me. Not because I don't want you to, but because I ought not to let you. You're strong and brave and good, I know it. And I, won't marry anybody . else, though there might be someone Uncle Jimmy would like better. Bob, I'll be crying in a minute. I wouldn't hurt you for the world, but I must I can't help it. There Isn't anything " "Has your uncle any objections to nervous over trying to cheat that I got the wrong number. They were cut from a printed sheet, and I never noticed the line that showed that the number was nine and not six until I drew It from the wheel." GRAY WENT BACK TO HIS DESK AND TRIED TO COMPLETE HIS BRIEF, BUT IT WAS NO USE. :- "A sort 'of self-correcting justice," he suggested. ."There is some satisfaction in knowing that I had such a warm partisan. I don't mind the loss of the ring now." "But after I tried so hard," she went on, "I think It was real mean." "I was going to offer you the ring." he went on boldly. "That was the thing I said I wanted even more than ihm chance."

. "Bless my heart," he exclaimed. "I seemed to know you all so well that I forgot you did not know my name. I am Earnest Paynter and very much at jour service." She extended her hand with a formal little "Glad to meet you, Mr. Paynter." that made them both laugh

BUT LOOK HERE," HE ARGUED.

and, still holding her hand, he drew her Into the road where she could see the front of the sign. On the panel. In raised letters, were the words, "Good Luck Inn." i "'That's the name of the place," he explained. The sign seemed all that was need-

THOUGHT

me?" the boy interrupted, stiffening. "No, oh no!" she began to sob softly. "But it is for his sake that I ought not to Jimmy, don't ask me anything and go, please!" "I'll go as soon as you tell me why you are sending me away for good," he said. She looked up at him. He was almost six feet tall, graceful and handsome In a clean boyish way. She leaned toward him a little. . . "Y,ou're splendid!" she said. "I wouldn't have you different for the world. I shouldn't like you so well if you weren't just what you are. You won't tell it to anyone, will you, Jimmy? It you can't help it, of course, and it sounds foolish, but it is because you're too tall. Uncle Bob is so little, and a tall person frightens him. He he sent off the best hand he's had for years Just because of that. Do you think you can for give me?" The boy looked at her In silence for a minute or two. Then, "Yea, I reckon so," he said in a dull tone. "And good-by, Nell. He put his arms ' suddenly around her and bending, laid his face upon the little bent head. Then he strode off and Nell, with a sob, ran into the house. The old man In the window upstairs stood dazed. He had just heard a girl dismiss her sweetheart. And it was his girl which, of course, was sad. But he was not thinking of that now. He was thinking of what it meant to himself, and a great joy possessel him. Once, many years ago, a girl had dismissed him, too, and that because she preferred another man "he's so much taller and stronger, and I can't help loving him " she had explained. It had broken up his life, and in the retirement he sought, he had "I know it," said Eugenia, softly, "but you were so slow to tell me that I thought perhaps you might accept the omen. I didn't care anything about the old ring." "You shall have the ring, or at least a ring," he promised, as he possessed himself of her hand. "I never dreamed that you cared. It seems almost too good to be true." "I'm glad now that I didn't have a chance to cheat," she said. "It wasn't cheating, was It?" "It wasn't cheating," he assured, "and I'm glad about the ring, too. It wasn't half good enougL for the best little girl in the world," and he bent and kissed her, to the great embarrassment of a black cat, two dogs and a policeman. THE ALLIGATOR AND THE OSTRICH. A FABLE. An ostrich one day encountered an alligator that was sunning himself by the side of a stream. "My," said the ostrich, '"but you are a homely beast. The worst I ever saw. Really, that corrugated Iron roof that shelters your carcass would not be accepted as a fitting top for the stable of an Old Maids' Home. It is a pity that you have not some of the plumes that I possess, and which are of rare beauty and great financial value." ? Just then a hunter appeared and within twelve seconds the ostrich was

ed, for trade grew to proportions undreamed of. A soda manufacturer sent a wagon out once a week with a load of tanks for the fountain. Hiram scoured the country for poultry and eggs and instead of the long drive to the creamery each night It was not long before they bought cows to

supply their -own increased needs. ' -Paynter was out almost every day, and It was he who kept the prices at a' point that sometimes worried honest Mira Caldwell's conscience. A dollar for a meal seemed reasonable, but Earnest held out for 12 a head and very soon they had to establish a become morbidly sensitive, and had learned' to dread people larger than he. And now now the advantage which the rest of the world had had over him was set at naught. A girl had just refused a man she loved, and for his sake, because that other was too tall. He meant to bring the boy back, of course, but their happiness would be his doing. He was master of his own destiny and of theirs. He did not think it out, but just let his great joy possess him as It would. Then, even while he was exulting, he heard on the stairs soft footsteps, stumbling, and a low sob as his niece gained her own room. The heart In him trembling he turned from the window. "My poor, poor little girl!" he whispered, groping mechanically around his room for his clothes. "To think of my being so mean, and frightening my child so. To think of her giving up her whole life to my foolish notions! Lord forgive my selfishness, and Lord forgive me for letting her see it. The boy must come back here right away, and I'll tell them that I won't for the world keep them apart." At five o'clock the next morning Jimmy came up the path to his home, hagard-eyed from a night's wandering. "I ought to have gone home and to bed," he thought, half ashamed of himself, "but I couldn't have slept. Hello! who's this?" There was a little gray haired, gray whiskered man huddled in an arm chair on the porch, his head in his hand, as if asleep. His shoulders were bowed, his face was thin and wrinkled. The hand that hung idly at his side, although toil-worn, was pathetically thin and weak looking. Jimmy stood still, and at that moment the little man awoke, with a flitting across the landscape so fast that It looked like a streak on the scenery. The speed of the ostrich would have made a bolt of lightning seem to be a torch light procession on waiting orders and the record of all racing automobiles was reduced a decimal point. As the 'gator burled his head under the slimy mud of the bayou to wait for quiet to be restored, he remarked to himself: "It is true that beautiful .flowers have not grown on my rind, that I do not raise feathers or other spinach on the hills or in the valleys of my harveyised armor plate covering, but It is equally true that my wearing apparel will never adorn an Easter bonnet. It Is well." Moral: Alligator skins are made Into purses, satchels, etc. She Said -Yes." " The maiden said "Yes!" What means his distress And why does his hope grow dim? The maiden said "Yes" When forced to confess More love for his rival than him. He (on his knees) Darling, I love you with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all the strength of my being. She Are you in earnest Clarence? He (reproachfully) In earnest! Do you think I am bagging my trousers in this way for fun.

waiting list. By the time the motoring season closed and there were only accasional calls for hot coffee and sandwiches. Mrs. Caldwell was glad of the rest. Long before most of the hard work had been delegated to hired girls and she had contented herself with running the kitchen, in which a new range had been established, but these had been busy times for all and even now there was enough to keep Gertrude busy, so there was a new teacher at Mink's Crossing. "We don't have to worry about the mortgage," laughed Gertrude. "That's paid off and there's plenty in the bank." "And to think your pa claims that the fountain was a mascot," sniffed Mira. "That Earnest Paynter was the real mascot." "He, was wonderfully good," said Mira, softly, as she moved the ladder over to the chandelier. "That's what he was," was tho emphatic response. "Gertrude, when you get married, I want you to marry a man like Earnest Paynter." "Yes, ma'am,", Gertrude answered dutifully. "I made my mistake when I married Hiram," ran on Mira. "I want to see you married right. Why, I remember" Her reminiscence was cut short by a cry from Gertrude. Ernest entering the room had caught her on the ladder and was holding her securely in his arms. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said, laughing as he faced Mrs. Caldwell, his arm still about the

girl." But since you and I are agreed as to the man she ought to marry, suppose we hear what Gertrude has to say?" Mira did not hear Gertrude's reply, but: she needed no verbal assurance.

violent start. He shrank on seeing the tall figure above him. Then, as he remembered his errand, his eyes brightened and he stood up. "You're J 1mm r. ain't you?" he asked. "I been waltin for you sincethe middle of the night. I went lookin' for you down here thlnkin' If you was In the house I could catch you when you come out without seeln' anybody else. I want you to come ff right back to my girl, and fix It up ' between you. . Will you come now, .

or as soon as you can?" s - Jimmy paled, then flushed, and Joy brought a great sob from his strong chest. "Do you think you can stand me, sir?" he asked timidly. The little man lost fils dread, suddenly and laid a hand on the boy's arm. "You'll take good care of my girl for me," he said gently. 'Tvs brought her first heartache on her, and God willing, we will work together to keep it the last." STAGE FRIGHT. At a performance of an amateur dramtlc club an amusing Incident occurred through the nervousness of one of the performers. It was the first performance of the amateur, and in the course of the play a very fine band of music was a leading feature, and on every side nothing but praise and flattery of the music was to be heard. In the third act the nervous young amateur, who was playing a minor part, was to rush on the stage while the band was playing Its sweetest and cry: "Stop the music; the king, Is dead." The critical moment came, and the excited, highly-strung amateur rushed in. "Stop the music!'' he cried. "It has killed the king!" Iff GEORGE'S DAY. The present Incumbent of the presidential chair, with his wellknown aversion to being "taken" on any and every occasion, may sometimes have thought enviously of the first head of the nation, as one spared that affliction. But what of evidence like this: Miss Purdy, visiting Washington with her party, had run away by herself for a few hours at Mount Vernon. Having secured the pictures that she particularly wanted, she was strolling through the rooms. Lingering in the library she exercised her historic imagination la repeopllng the place with stately guests of Martha Washington's. Putting her kodak down on the table sheran to the window fancying that "the general" was now riding up with, say, Alexander Hamilton. "I never would have believed it, William " Miss Purdy turned quickly. She was no longer alone in the room. There, by the table stood an old gentleman and a quaint little lady, gazing In wonder at the kodak. " If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes right here!" the little old lady was saying, her eyes shining. "Wy, you could just knock me down with a feather. I'd a been 'most sure photo-graphy wasn't known la George's day!" Kirkwood, Mo., has pased an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to tell a He within the town limits. No political rallies axe being held in

Kirkwood.

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