Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-05-08
HOODS Sarsa apariIIa
SIGNS.
He Wanted to Know If This One Meant
 Anything.

 He Wanted to Know If This One Meant
 Anything.
 Twas sitting on log in the shade of the Cumberland company's sawmiI one June afternoon when Jack Frazcc, mountain farmer, pretty well to do and a bachelor, came by, and, observing my very evident comfort, invited himself to sit down on part of tho log not occupied. was glad enough to have somebody help mo loaf fol the hour or so l had to spare, and greeted his proposition with applause. We talked awhile about politics and hard times, and then Jack became scattering in his ideas, and was pretty certain wanted tO talk tO me on something moro important to him than the general affairs of the country at largo. let him gut around to tho subj,Nrt himself not to confuse him, and is wasn't long bcfurc Inc was rcady to pr,'scnt his case.
 "COloncl," he hcsitatcd, do you believe in signs?"
 "wcll, Jack. " I rcplicd, "it depends on what kind of signs. For instancC if sec a sign over q building Sawmill'-I don't go in therc to buy dry guods.''
 II don't mean that kind. he said, with a nervous laugh.
 "No'" and looked at him just bit curiously.
 "No. I mean tho other kind Those that are signs as is signs. You know what signs is, don't you?" he explained lucidly
 Expectations, you mCan!" l vcnturrl
 "Yes," he answered, with a glram in his face. "Thcm's them. Do you believe in thems"
 That depends too. Have you been sec ing anys''
 He blushcd shocpishly and changed his scat on the log.
 Well, that's what wanted to ask you about" hc said. You know Mandy Mil scr, don't yuu!"
 nodded, for had sccn Mandy, and shc was tho bcSt specimen of young woman hood in that neck of woods
 Well, " he went on, ''I'Ve bc'n kinder sparkin Mandy for bcttcr'n year now, and she ain't very incOuridgin. In course, hain't ever mentioned tho subject right to her, but Two been bcatin the devil around tho stump mighty cluSc for Sulno time, and l don't know whether I've -ut much hopes CT not. When I got my new house about done, asst her one day if she thought thar ort to hc n porch in front uv 1t, and shc said shc thought they urt. So put one thar. Next time seen her aSt if thar ort to be a palm fcncc rr n post an rail acrOSt the yard. and she said they urt So put one thar. Then after that asst her if the house. ort to be painted white or pink, and she said Shc thought it ort to bo white. So painted it white. One day was at her house talkin, and asst her if the well ort to havc windlass cr sweep, and she said q sweep, fer the sweep was 50 pie tureSquee-what's picturcsquec, cOlonel:" and be stopped a moment.
 explained what it was to bc pictur- cSquc, and he wont on.
 Well, I didn't know" Inc said, but put up the sweep. Then asst her if ort to set out peach trccs cr apple trees in tho yard, and she said thcr urt to be both, cause they would come handy for family use. So sot out both kinds Last week moved into the ono rOOm I've got fixed up, and I've bc'n kinder lonesome and thinkin like. HiStiddy Mandy como by, and was settin on the pOrCh, and she stop ped at the gate a minute and said shC was mighty glad to sec what nice houSc had and she hoped I'd he powerful com fortahlc in 1t, and aSt her if she didn't think I ort to have n wife tn take kccr uv 1t, and she said she thought ort ''
 Jack stopped his story to mop his brow, for the CNcrtion or intCrCSt was making him warm.
 What did you do them" inquired. with q smile
 Not darn thing. colonel" " he said in tone of diSapprOval of himself. "and that's what l want to ast you about. If thar's any truth in signs. don't you hc- lieve could come nigh gittin Mandy Cf was to ast her, say. this very evcnin?"
 Jacks whole heart and soul wcrr in his question, and promptly slapped him on the back and offcrctl to bet him S4 that he could.
 And didn't lose my bct.--Dctroit Free PrGSS