Middletown transcript., 1897-09-11
THE FARMER HAD THE FUN.
A LovEsICK YotTH's ATTEMPT AT A
JOKE TURNED AGAINST HIM.

JOKE TURNED AGAINST HIM.
Every man has to take his own leg
sons in acquiring the art of understand
ing the ways of women. Kipling's
poem in which he winds up several
verses explaining some adventure with
woman with these lines, ST learned
about women from her," conveys the
idea that women are widely different
in their ways, and the experience of
many men has led them To endorse Mr..
Kipling's views in this matter. TIE
last recruit to this Kiplng cult is
somewhat bashful young man who has
just returned from his vacation, passed
at the seashore, and who receives let
ter daily and writes one daily-but
that is the story that is to be ex-
planned.
This young man is attractive in a
way, but his natural ability is screened
behind sense of modesty, and ne is
decidedly difident. He went on his va
cation with the idea of getting a rest
and indulging in surf baths. When he
arrived at the hotel at the seaside re-
sort he found he was about the only
eligible young man in. the place, and
there was large and attractive array
of young women yearning for mascu-
line company. Under this benign con-
dition Of affairs his difffdence wore off
to certain extent, and he played the
part of gallant most acceptably. OF all
the girls in the hotel, however, his
fancy settled on one-and his atten-
tions to her were most noticeable. The
girl was charming in every way, and
had that dangerous virtue of being
sympathetic. Where wistful eyes, ,clas-
sic features and superb form have
failed very often sympathetic air and
pretty interest have accomplished
the overthrow of the masculine equili-
brium.
After week the young man was in
love; in ten days he was wildly in love
and at the end of the two weeks he
was in the superlative condition of love,
however they may be expressed. The
only trouble was that with this new
found feeling all the old difidence
came back, and he could not pull him.
self together sufficiently to make an
avowal. The last day Of his stay he in
vited this sympathetic maiden to take
a drive, so that he could properly say
goodby and go over a thousand and one
things that her sympathetic nature
would understand and approve. The
drive was delightful one and lasted
longer than originally planned. Con-
Jagged after time, and both
FELL into fit Of deep thinking. Finally
the couple caught up to farm wagon
which had been carrying produce into
The village. The horse was driven by
farmer lad, and at his side
On the seat squatted about as ugly a
orindle dog as any one could find in
lays walk. The young man awakened
from his lethargy and said bravely:
Watch me have some fun with this
'armer. - The girl, glad of any diver
lion, looked interested, and the young
nan turned to the boy and said lacon-
cally:
"Fine dog you got there.''
"Yep," was the equally laconic re-
ponse.
"What breed?" was the next queery.
"Bull, !" was the listless answer as
be boy decked fly off the horses ear
nth the lash of his whip.
"Well, see here" said the other,
I'D like to have that dog. What will
ou take for him2''
Don't want ter SELL" grunted the
armer.
"Ohl come, my good man. That is
q exceptionally valuable dog. I would !.
ke to get him to put in the dog show
| New York. I'll bet he would cause
commotion," and here he winked at
le girl. The farmer saw the wink, bnt
never made motion. He seemed
be in deep thought and then he said
boriously:
"Well, stranger, eff you want this
up so bad I'll tell you how to get it.
you'll throw yer arms around that
'l's neck and give her whacking
ss III give you the dog.''
The young man blushed scarlet. He
shed bis horse savagely with the
hip and soon the farmer was ilost in
10 cloud of dust whirled up behind.
'hen the danger point was passed
. horse slowed down to walk again.
It conversation had fed. Aftera
ng silence the girl spoke up fainlly:-
" II I was sure" here she punched
guely at spots in the bottom Of the
rt with her parasol, and her eyes
aich had a wistful look were turned
ray, that you really and truly
anted that d0g-and -and''--