Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-02-13
THE PLAY THAT WE DID NOT WRITE

Mss Nelly Maynard S quite literar,
in her tastes and pursuits. | calleC
upon her one evening and she asked mi
if | had read Mr.. StOckton's ''Oug Sto
~" in the Century. Yes" replied
land / enjoyed it very much"
Il like them the best of all cur hu
morcus writer's" she said, because
never feel the effort that be must some
times make it to be amusing. 1t al
seems TO come as naturally as the fun o.
little child"
"Supposing that we write story to
getherI" | proposed in an animated
way.
20, no,n she objected, "Mr. Stock
ton would think that we were just imi
tating him."
''He would not be. offended, l an
sure. Bnt We might write little play
if you do not care to try story"
VERY vel" )" she said, 81 am willing
to do that"
'.Shall we have five acts?"
'sNO, indeed, we should be tired Oi
each other long before the fifth act"
THAT is not polite" l said, reproy
ingly.
She blushed brightly, and said:
Il did not say that l should be tired
of you. L used the pronun 'we,' which
you know always means the man."
"Yes. in married life, but we are not
married"
81 should think not" she replied,
quickly.
You need not look so indignant"
said, as if it were something very disa.
greeable. Il do not think that it would
be any worse than writing play"
Il do. l expect that this little play
will make us both famous
And do you mean to say that you
would rather be a famous woman than
happy, loving wife, with a husband
ready to die for
''How perfectly absurd you are! Do
keep all that for the play when it will
be most appropriate, and do not waste
it all on me-"
~ am very sorry that it is wasted. l
supposed that You would appreciate the
hottest sentiments of which the human
heart is capable.n
Il shall appreciate it when the time
comes. But now the play, the plays
the thing"
Don't quote Shakespeare.
81 shall, too. Mr.. Vernon, YOU'RE
cross, and | think we had better give
up this thing"
| begged her pardon, and promised
net to he cross, as she expressed it
again. Now she said. '.how shall
we begln?n
''YOu must be sitting quietly in your
chair" suggested, land shall enter. !"
so. no,n she objected, that would be
exactly like the Morning Call, and we
do not want to plagiarize."
I'VE cannot help that sometimes.
You might, perhaps, say that falling in
love is plaglariZing."
but that is so natural. OF course
you will have to fall in love With
mean the hero must fall in love with
the heroine.;'
''What did you correct yourself in
that way for? think it would be ma
tural.n
~ wish You would not catch me up
so.'' she said, the indignant color
making her handsomer than ever. Il
forget to mention that Nelly Maynard
s a remarkably pretty girl.)
But think that you might answer
an honest question"
''Your honest questions are so alb
surd."
THAT is the second time you have
insinuated that | am "a
II have not insinuated anything at all
whatever l may have thought
''Well. what do you think?"
81 shall not tell yOu."
You cannot deny, then, that you
thought me al
Il wish you would not be so per-
sonal."
"How can help being personal when
you say such things to me?''
what thingy''
About 0ur falling in love with each
other.''
Mr.. Vernon, if you do not stop all
this nonsense, will not try to write
play with you"
"Well, then to business. How shall
We commence?"
LET us be in the street walking
home.''
20, yes, then you can wear that kill
ing new hat of yours, that MIR. Niles
admireS so MUCH"
And yOu can be kissing the cane
that Miss Lizzie Downs gave you.p
Il had rather kiss something else."
The donor herself, suppose"
Il do not care a straw for the donor,
and you need not try to hatter me with
the idea that you are jealous of Miss
Downs.",
"Mr. Venom size exclaimed, with
the air of a tragedy queen, Il shall
leave this rOom," and she started for
the door. But fell upon my knees so
that she could not pass without tumb-
ling over me, and then made a fervent
apology.
She was soon reconciled, and.sitting
down upon the sofa | placed myself at
a respectable distance from her.
We'll" l said, 1--WE were walking in
the street together"
Not we," she replied, ''the hero and
heroine.n
but you said We"
Did II" she asked, blushlng again,
III vas very stupid in me-"
No, 1t was not, +" replied earnestly,
1T was very-sweet, was going to
say, put she gave Inc warning look,
ana substituted exemplary" Then
she burst INTO merry laugh, and l
moved little nearer to her lovely self. |
ot course, F" l continued, ''we-I mean
the hero and heroine, are going TO her
nome. What shall we do with them |
alter we have put them inside the, ,doOr?"
Tive them chairs to sit upon. They
may be very tired you know"