Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-07-07

caught sight of Prince Henry entering
the front door. What are you here for !?
You don't suppose you have any chance
now, do you?'
NO, returned Prince Hehry, sadly.
Il am here simply as matter OF form;
that is all. | said I'd be here, and here |
am. | shall content myself with saying
good-by to Portia, and congratulating
you. :"
"Ah!' said Prince John, softening.
you've had hard luck, Hal, for a fact.
m deucedly sorry for you, old fellow,
but it WASH t my fault.
No" returned Prince Henry, sit
wasn't"
And then Portia came in.
1--WE have come for your formal de-
cision, Port1a," said Prince Henry. "Of
course | know what it is to be, so if it
/ gives you any pain to announce it in my
presence, don't dc so, Let me take it for
granted. There's no question about it,
Jack has proved himself better man."
That very true" returned Portia.
But | don't think it's nice of you,
Prince Henry, to forestall my decision in
that W y. In fact, it almost impels me
to change my mind, and marry Prince
Jack"
"Change your what and marry which ?"
roared Prince Jack. g didn't hear ex-
actiy right, did II"
Prince Henry was speeches.. He did
! not know whether to be full of Joy or Of
amazement.
Change my mind, and marry you, y
repeated Portia, looking severely at Prince
John.
you don't mean to say there is any
question about my being accepted p
queried Prince John.
"Why, certainly" returned Portia.
81 haa decided in Henry's favor because
he scored the greater number of points.
you have succeeded and he has not. But
ne has been pertinacious. | admire sue
cess. l admire pertinacity and | sym,
pathize with f9ilure, so that the record
now stands Prince John-Love, 5 points,
Affection, 5 points, Admiration, 5 points.
Totil, Is. Prince Henry-Love 5, points,
Affection, points, Admiration, points,
Sympathy, 5 points. Total, 90"
That's one way to look al it," sneered
Prince John; while Prince Henry gazed
blankly at the carpet.
Eyes, " replied Portia. and here is an
other. You have fame and fortune.
Prince Henry has nothing You have
shown your ability to stand alone Prince
Henry has not. Shall give to the rich
Shall | support the strong and neglect the
weak?"
"Portia, said Prince John, ''you are
well-named. The great original herself
would bow to you in the matter Of argu-
ment. If Shylock could have had you for
his council, he'd have got his pound of
| hesh.'
Certainly he would" said Portia. cit
was for Antonio to pay the bill, not for
Shylock to collect it. "
Good! returned Prince John. "And
good morning. | congratulate you, Henry,
on your good fortune, but | cannot say |
envy you. Life with woman SO reason
able as Portia cannot be bliss unalloyed -
Stay! cried Prince Henry, springing
to his feet. 81 cannot consent to Portia s
arrangement. She is yours, Jack, not
mine. Yo1 have won her fairly and
squarely. Take her, for shall not"
Portia LOOKED faint
NO" returned Prince Jack. "She has
expressed a preference for you, and that
settles it. AS a gentleman | cannot appeal
from her decision, and shall not remain
any longer"
Jack, you must; for cannot!'' cried
Prince Henry.
Nor can T." roared Prince Jack.
Gentlemen, said Portia, do not quar-
rel, IL
But she addressed the empty air. Both
princes had rushed from the house, not to
quarrel, but each actuated by a spirit of
remuneration.
Two NOBLE hearts indeed were they and
strong, for twenty years have passed since
then, and Portia is still single.
The remuneration is still on, however,
and is likely to remain 50 for some time,
to come, since both princes shave married
Prince John twice, and Prince Henry
even now is enjoying his third honey
on.-John Kendrick Bangs in Harper S
Weekly.