Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-01

| MIN COMMENTARY.
''Ah, Maggie, it's nice to see your
| pleasant face in this weary business
world" the old man sighed. He
further called Miss Beaumont his little
Nausicaa," and, on being pressed for
| an explanation, "she was the girl who
was so kind to Ulysses, you know,
when he was away from home" he
said
Il should like to know what Pene-
| lope thought of her, said Miss Beau
mont, with quick laugh-a laugh
unusually bright and natural for this
languid young lady.
Penelope! What do you know about
iher?" cried the old gentleman in
amazement
why, wasn't she his wife?" asked
Maggie, with her usual drawl.
The old gentleman gazed thoughtfully
at the ash of his cigar, bIinked. puffed
a blue cloud, and, looking up, said:
you do surprise me sometimes. Mag
gle. Really, you're most refreshingr'
Maggie was, or appeared to be, so
pleased with this compliment that she
opened her eyes a little wider on the
old gentleman, which, for her, was a
decided concession.
What have you been doing in the
house today?" she asked.
There's another puzzIer" he cried.
what can you care about stocks and
Ishares?"
ooh, it's so amusing" she laughed,
toll IL 1n Co,,1I L. i
'bearsH Come, tell me what you -
been saying today"
The old man was silent and Maggie,
leaning across the bar, carelessl
dropped q hand-not beyond his reach.
And the venerable again began to pat
it seemed to please the dear old fell
low.
Not what you've been saying to
other people" said Maggie slyly, "but
what you've been saying to yourself"
Still the venerable was silent and
Maggie made as if to leave him.
Egyptians" he hastily whispered,
and she stayed.
what about them?"
Buy"
els that true" asked Maggie, open
ing her blue eyes still wider.
yes, buy Egyptians" ne cooed, and,
for all the JUNCTION he put into them. his
words might have been a declaration
Of love.
Hold them?" queried Maggie softly
Till the 9th said the old man,
still patting her hand.
At this moment a party of young
men invaded the bar, and the venerabI
took his leave. Funny little girl" he
thought; q wonder why she always
pumps me like that? Couldn't resist
those eyes for the life of me. What
would Mary say? Lord, but Pm an
old fool" And he went back to the
Office, feeling refreshed.
Miss beaumont, meanwhile, took a
little slip Of paper and wrote on it:
Buy Egyptians and hold till 9th"
This done, she turned to charm her
fresh circle.
It was 3 few days later that Arthur
Walton, sitting alone at the bar of the
George and Bull, sighed, dashed the
universe in general and declared that,
unless things took an immediate turn
for the better, he, Arthur Walton,
would be compelled to negotiate for
the loan of a broom and a good cross
ing. What 'tthe governor" would say,
moreover, he did not at that particular
moment care to think.
Now, the duties of barmaids are
manifold and the mere serving out of
beverages to thirsty mankind is but the
least Of them. To talk multitudinous
platitudes to empty youth is a grade
higher, and to charm, very wisely, the
more eXigent taste of the aff1uent mid
die aged a decided accomplishment.
But perhaps the most delicate task re-
quired of her is to act as mother
cOnfessOr and adviser in chief to sue
Of her clients as are down on their
luck, and this service, as she very clear
ly saw, was now required of Maggie
Beaumont
''Why, Mr. Walton, what is the mat
ter?" she asked.
Everything. Maggie, everythingr
the young man groaned.
Miss Beaumont did not gather much
from this, and, seeking particulars,
learned that Mr. Walton had just
dropped" co siderably more than his
pocket could afford. Then the mother
confessor began to upbraid her erring
son of the Stock Exchange; his duty
she knew all about him-was simply
to carry out the behests of his wiser
father; why did he risk his little neck
before the head it bore was sufficiently
well primed in the mysterious art Of
turning paper into money?
Arthur Walton attempted to defend
himself-there were so many things a
fellow wanted that a beggarly three
hundred wouldn't run to. Then what
was the only thing for a fellow to do?
Why, to turn penny" for himself
which is, being interpreted, to put
down penny and pick up three half
pence
'Is it very bad this timer" asked
Maggie, for she had heard the same
tale before.
"There'll be an awful row." answered
j Walton ruefully. 81 shall have to draw
on the governor, and he'll tell the
mater, and-well, that's the worst of
it."
/ wish could help you,' said Mag
| gle after a pause.
l am sure you would if you could"
he answered, and they both felt they
had spoken fooIishly. They were
| silent for a few moments.
Mr. Walton" said Maggie with IN