Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-09-11
MABEL JOYCE.
BY NJ. Z. w.

It was the third of July just ten years
ago. The front parlor Of the widow
Joyce's cottage was lighted by single
lamp turned low. Mrs. Joyce, her
daughter Mabel, and the latter's ac-
cepted suitor, John Andrews, were dis
GUESSING what they should do the follow
ing day. After an interval of silence
Mrs. Joyce stopped her mechanical
work of knitting and remarked:
well, have you two made up your
minds what you are going to do?'
"No," replied John, 81 can't get
Mabel to say what she desires. We
could go up the river to my mothers,
but she thinks rowing so stupid"
"And 30 it is" remarked Mabel; cit
is slow and poky."
Now the fact of the matter was that
John had proposed the trip, and Mabel
did not care to give in at once.
She had an idea if she held out for d
time, and then appeared to relent. that
John would think all the more of her
condescension.
Mabel was an only daughter She
had been reared by an indulgent
mother, her father having died during
her childhood. A loving mother had
gratifed Mabel's every wnim, of which
she had many. She was the acknowl-
edged belle of Woodlawn, and many
were the admirers she had snubbeA,
until the rising young physician paid her
attention, then she sobered down some
what, but still she liked to exhibit her
powers, which usually consisted of
iR,n ~ Il at Of
caprice. He had often argued with her
on the folly of her conduct, but she al
ways laughingly turned it off.
"Ah, folks" exclaimed voice at the
open window, what are you incoming
about in the dark ?"
"Good evening, Mr.. Maxwell" said
Mrs. Joyce; won't you step IMP"
"Why, George, when did you roll
into town." exclaimed John.
Mabel, shaking hands with the new
conner, asked, "How's Fanny?"
ooh, she's about the same; in fact, it
was she who sent me in. She wants
you people to come out to our place to-
morrow. There is to be church pic
mic in the morning, and circus got in
tonight, and gives q performance to-
Il
the 9:15 train for home; what shall j
tell my sister?"
"TelI her we will come by all means,
exclaimed Mabel; "just the thing"
The next day the three went over by
train to Trevor, the town where the
Maxwells lived. Mrs. Joyce and Mrs.
Maxwell were old school friends and
they concluded to stay home, while the
young folks went to the picnic.
Mabel was more capricious than
usual this day. She nearly drove her
"Poor john, as she called him, insane.
The church picnic and bazaar was a
success; that is, d very little was sold
for q great amount of money; the
church leaders were satisfied, and they
supposed everybody else was in the
same condition.
LII the afternoon George Maxwell, his
sister Fanny, John and Mabel attended
the circus They gazed with awe al
the stuffed mermaid and regarded the
Zulu chief and spotted boy with admira.
ton.
Toward the end of the performance
the great "Hazak" was announced in
his wonderful feat of handling his
family of venomous cobras. Mabe
was at once interested IN this yellow
faced son Of the East, and loudly ap
plauded biz edexterity in avoiding the
streSssof his serpents' fangs. She be
came so enthusiastic in regard to tht
fellows bravery that George said jok
inglY she ought to marry snake
charmer.
And that's just what I intend to do,
replied Mabel, for ! am sure that Johl
will go into that glass cage and do wha
Hazak does. Will you, John? 2" sh,
asked. as she turned toward him.
aDo understand that you wish m,
to handle those deadly snakes?' ex
claimed John.
a. Yes, does it surprise youa"
Well, 1 must confess that it does.
You ought to have as much courag,
as a Hindoo, said Mabel, who seemed
to be put out at her lover failing tt
promptly comply with her latest within
TO do what you ask me would no
be b proof OF courage on my part; ]
would simply be ridiculous. ! woult
be exposing myself to q horrible dealt
4 for no purpose.
Now Mabel did not really want he
lover to enter the glass cage where Til,
snakes were confined, but she wantee
him to seem to be ready TO do eyel
that for her sake.
Then you refuse, do You, John !?
she said with q slight curl Of her lip.
Fanny, without giving John
chance to reply, said, OF course b
refuses. The conditions are not equal
he is q doctor; not snake-charmer
Hazak knows his pets in his hand
they are harmless in another's deadly.
{ Xou seem to take great interest j