Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05

people. like IL here-'course I'd like the lakes
an meadows OF Waupac better but I'm my
own boss, as say, an Tn goin to stay my own
boss If hat to live on crackers an wheat coffee
to do it, that's the kind of hairpin am"
In the pause which followed Seagraves,
plunged deep into thought BY Rob's words,
leaned his head on his hand. This working
farmer had voiced the modern idea. 1t was
absolute overturn of all the ideas OF nobility
and special privileges born of the feudal past.
hob had spoken upon impulse, but that i'm
pulse appeared to seagraves to be right;
I'D like to use your idea for an editorial,
Rob" he said
MY ideas!" exclaimed the astounded host,
pausing in the act of filling his pipe. "My
ideas! Why, 1 di1n't know 1 had any"
We'll. you've given me some, anyhow"
Seagraves felt that it was wild. grand up
stirring OF the modern democrat against the
aristocrstic, against the idea of caste and the
privilege of living on the labor Of others. This
atom OF humanity chow infinitesimal this drop
in the ocean of humanity was feeling the
nameless longing OF expanding personality, and
had already pierced the conventions of society
and declared rs nil the laws of the land-laws
that were survivals of hate and rejudice. He
had exposed also the native spring Of the emil
grant by uttering the feeling that it is better
to be an equal among peasants than a servant
before MOBILES
SO have good reasons fr liking the coun-
try, Rob resumed, in quiet way. The soil
Is rich the climate good 30 far, an il have
couple o decent crops you'll see neat upright
goln up here. with porch and a bay winder."
And you'll still be livin' here alone. fry
ing leathery slapjacks an chopping Eaters and
bacon"
II think see myself" drawled Rob. ''goin'
around all summer wearin' the same shirt with
out washln an wipin' on the same towel four
straight weeks. an wearln holes ill my socks.
an eatln musty ginger snaps mouldy bacon
an canned Boston beans fr the rest o my en-
durin' days! Oh, yes guess not! Well, see
y later. Mast go water my bulls"
As he went off down the slope Seagraves
smiled to hear him sing:
~ wish that some kind hearted girl
And e1tricste me from the mess I'm in;
The sngel-how I'd bless her.
In my little old sod shanty on the plain!"
The boys nearly fell off their chairs in the
Western House dining room few days later
at seeing Rob come into supper with collar
and necktie as the finishing touch of a re-
markabe outfit.
Hit him, somebody"
'lts clean COLLAR
'.He's started FIR Congressr
Hes going to get married." put in Sea-
graves in tone that brought conviction.
What screamed Jack Adams, O'Neill and
Wilson in one-breath. That man.
That man." replied Seagraves, amazed at
Rob. who coolly took his seat. squared his
elbows, pressed his collar down at the back
and called for the bacon and eggs.
The crowd stared at him in n dead silence
where's he going to do it," asked Jack
Adams. where's he going to find girl?''
Ask him." said Seagraves.
Il amt tellin'," put in Rob. with his mouth
full of potato.
you're afraid of our competition"
That's right; our competition, Jack; not
your competition. Come now, Rob, tell us
where you found her."
Il amt found her.
What! And yet you're goin away T. get
married.
I'm goin' t. bring wife back with me ten
days firm date"
Il see his scheme" put in Jim Rivers "He's
goln back east some where. an he's goin' to
propose to every girl he meets"
Hold on interrupted Rob, holding up his
fork Amt quite right Every good-lookin
girl 1 meet
"Well, I'll be blankodr' exclaimed Jack, i'm
patiently; that simply lets me out. Any man
with such cheek on int To-
Succeed" interrupted Seagraves.
That's what say" bawled Hank Whiting,
the proprietor of the house. You fellers
amt got no enterprise to yeh. Why don't you
go to work an help settle the country like
men? Cause y amt got no sand. Girls are
thicker'n huckleberries back east. 1 say it's
dunn shame,'
Easy, Henry" said the elegant bank clerk,
Wilson, looking gravely about through his
spectacles. / commend the courage and the
resolution of MIR. Rodemaker. / pray the lady
may not, --....-
/" Mistake him for hts complexion.
The shsdowed livery of the burning SUM-"
shakespeare" said Adams. at a venture"
Brother In adversely. when do you EMBARK
Another Jason On an untried sea-"
Hay said Rob, winking at Seagrayes
"Oh. go tonight-night train"
And return?'
'Ten days from date"
''Tll wager wedding supper he brings a
blonde" said Wilson, IN his clean-cut languid
speech.
ooh. come now. Wilson; that's too thin, We
all know that rule about dark marvin light"
'Tll wager she'll be tall" continued Wilson.
''Fll wager you. friend Rodemaker, she'll be
blonde and tall"
Tho rest roared at Rob's astonishment and
confusion. The absurdity of it grew and they
went into spasms of laughter. But Wilson re-
manned impressive, not the twitching of a muscle
betraying that he saw anything to laugh at in
the proposition.
Mrs. Whiting and the kitchen girls came in,
wondering at the merriment Rob began to
get uneasy.
VIVA. is it? What is it2" said Mrs. Whiting.
q jolly little matron.
Rivers put the case: "Rob's on his way back
to Wisconsin get married and Wilson has
offered to bet him that his wife will be a blonde
and tall, and Rob dassent betv and they roared
again.
why, the idea! the mans crazyr' said Mrs.
Whiting.
The crowd looked at each other. This was
hint enough; they sobered, nodding ct each
other.
''Ah! / see; understand"
Its the heat"
'.And the Boston beans"
LET - on him, Wilson. Don't badger q
poor irresponsible fellow. Thought something
was wrong when saw the collar"
"Oh, keep 1t up" said Rob. a little nettled
by their evident intention to ''have fun" with
him
"Soothe him seoo-o-o-o-the him!" said Will.
son. Don't be harsh.'
Bob rose from the table. go to thunderl
you make me tired"
1.-The tit Is on him again.
He rose dlsgustedly and went out They fol.
lowed HIM in single file. The rest OF the town
caught on" Frank Graham heayed an annie
at him and !oined the procession. Rob went
into the store to buy some tobacco. They fol-
lowed, and perched like crows on the counters
till he went out; then they followed him as be-
fore. They watched him check his trunk.
they witnessed the purchase of the ticket
The town had turned out by this time
"Waupac" announced the one nearest thu
victim.
''Waupac" said the next man, and the word
was passed along the street I'D town
Make a note OF it, said Wilson: .'Waupac-
county where mans proposal for marriage
Is honored upon presentation. Sight drafts"
Rivers struck up song, while Rob stood
around, patiently bearing the jokes of the
crowd:
u L&.s--