The Penn's Grove record., 1896-08-21

THINGS INTO luTtueE SeFfiCes
John smiled.
They are far from dying, Mary
They are full of vitality yet"
Well, somebody else may have
them" said Mary, returning the smile
AT least, for a while. may be glad
to fall back on them some day. bui
lust now 1 should like something fresh.
All sorts of queer things are constant.
" happening In real life If I could only
get to hear them. John. haven't you
an Idea OF any kind? Or some little
thing that has come within your own
experience? Anything that holds q
tiny spice Of romance, you know"
: John looked at her a mi and
seemed inclined Il speak. Then his
mind apparently altered and he shook
his head.
oh" cried Mary disappointedly
that is too bad. You look exactly as
II sou had an idea"
We'll" said Johu slowly, "a faint
slimmering did seem to come to me.
but | am afraid You will think it silly"
DO tell mel" exclaimed Mary. Il
snail be so grateful"
And don't know that it is partic
uiariy new" went on John In the same
doubtful way.
We'll. never mind" said Mary, in
4 bus!nesslike way. "A great deal de
ponds on the treatment of a subject.
S,1oa.fu,.. Il vary b~a1knayad tbap,n
can be made to sound quite fresh, |
have noticed it in several Instances
Go On, John"
Sis fixed her eyes on him expectant.
ly, and 4 smile dawned in the young
woman's eyes as he looked at her.
is it humorous?" asked Mary inno
Gently, as she saw the smile.
II don't know" answered John, re,
lapsing into gravity. That entirely
depends upon how they regard it.
Things appeal so differently TO differ
ent minds, don't they
They do" rcioined Mary promptly
Sometimes l have written things
which l thought were funny. but other
people entirely failed to see the joke.
aud on the other hand l have been
laughed At for sentences which were
penned with perfect seriousness. But
10 proceed with the subject in hand.
wish you would begin. John, for this
time is getting on, and | shall be mis-,
4rabIe unless | succeed in making
good start this morning."
There Is lot in making a gooA
start. isn't there?" asked John, with
evident anxiety.
oh. a great deal" said Mary. "Tt
IS often the most difficult thing possible
to start. Once fairly begun the work
is comparatively easy, because one
thing seems to lead to another"
Il see!" replied John. refectiyely.
Then a long silence fell between them
DO go on" said Mary. impatiently
at last.
well, the fact is, Mary. P"-with
considerable emphasis on the pronoun
find a difficulty in starting. l think
l could so on If the subject were only
begun"
"I.et me helm vow ont" soA Mar
with an air OF resignation. "There II
a girl in it, l suppose"
"Oh, yes!" returned John, very de
cidedly, There is a girl in it; and ar
uncommonly nice girl, too"
Good graciousT' said Mary. at /:
all easy enough. Describe me her ap
pearance, character and surroundings
Tell me what she did, and how she die
1t. Then explain where the man comes
in-for there is a man in it, l supposeT
"oh, yesl" said John, as decidedly as
before. There Is a man In It."
We'll, what about him 2" asked Mary
Dear me, john! I might as we'll in
vent q thing myself, and have dens
with 1t, If you can't tell me straight
off"
an tell your said John, with the
air Of a man determined to make the
plunge. "Only-Mary-promise me ont
thing. Don't laugh at my story"
Cant l laugh If 1t Is funnyf" re
Joined Mary.
at Isn't" said John. well, moi ex'
Sctly. Erin fact, l don't know how Il
will strike you. l meant, don't laugh
Al my clumsy way OF telling it."
"of course not" replied Mary, kind
iy. And I'm sur I'm very much OBJ
lIged to you, John, for taking all thii
trouble"
We'll" began John, this griffith
girl | am thinking of. you know-livet
at home with her mother and sisters
The father had died some years be
fore, leaving just enough money t.
supply their bare wants. but no more
II quite understand" said Mary in
font which had a good deal of fellow
feeling" in 1t.
80, of course" went on John, eff
was more or less OF a struggle witt
them. But, happily. one Of the girls
this special girl l began TO talk abou'
developed quite a talent for--fer-
For whatT said Mary rather sharp
".
For painting" returned John quick
ly. She used TO paint quite lovely
little things and sell them to the shops
Yes" said Mary, "eut when deei
the a come in, JohnT
Il am coming to that" replied John
"Give me time, Mary"
"0h, of course" said Mary, amiasly
So after a pause John went on again
Years before, when these girls were
quite little, their father had shown Q
great kindness 10 an almost friendiess
boy"
Mary started and q faint celor crep'
into her cheeks; but John took no heed