Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-26
i The
4 Anonymous !
. Letter,

this, old MANI" The speaker stood in an
admiring attitude before the picture of a
young girl, while the one questioned an
swered briefly, "My.sister.
.'Oh, say, Paul, that won't do! We
don't put our sisters pictures in frames
like that "
Don't WEI Well, 1 do. Oh, hang it,
Burt, don't you see that I'm busy? can't
work while your tongue is wagging. Get
out of here now, and if you won't show
your face here again today you shall spend
the month of July with me at my home,
and then you shall judge for yourself
whether that frame is too good for my SIS
ter's picture" And Paul Reynolds gave
his chum a good natured push toward the
door.
''Do you mean that? Hurrahi Why,
that would be worth a lifetime of banish-
ment-no offense to you, old fellowP' and
Burton Smith mildly expressed his delight
by turning somersaults across the room,
walking back on his hands, then, bring
ing his feet to the floor, he shot upward,
and, catching hold of bar above his
head, he drew himself up and whirled
around the bar with the proficiency of an
acrobat, dropping to the floor with shout
of overfiowing mirth.
"Get out Of this, you rattlehead" And,
having him outside, Paul shut the door
in his face and heard him go down stairs
at breakneck pace, which brought the
good old landlady to the door in alarm,
expecting to find somebody at the bottom
with a broken neck.
''Sakes alivel That Mr.. Smith againP
she exclaimed.
Burton's walk home had tendency to
quiet his hilarity, but that face was still
before him, and, after sitting in deep
thought for an hour, he sprang up with
alacrity
"I'n do it, by Jove! She can't feel
deeply offended anyway, and I'll sign only
part of my name. Better for the fu-
lures sake to be on the safe side. There,
that'1 do, think.
Belle Reynolds stood with an open let
ter in her hand, and her eyes flashed an
grily as she spoke her thoughts aloud.
"Soft headed idiotl Heard of me through
a friend, indeedl This stranger
Then something like the truth swept
through her mind, and her fun loving
spirit reasserted itself, and, going to her
desk, she wrote:
Mr.. Charles Burt:
Your most extraordinary letter savors
strongly of the wedding bells class, but you
forgot to state whether your motive was for
pleasure, pastime or with view to matri-
mony." Whatever your object may be, permit
me to say that you are guilty Of gross imper-
tinence. My friend. Matilda Brindle. would
call you sassy"
Are you aware, sir, of the risk you incur by
asking to correspond with a spinster of the
tender age of 81 Let me enlighten you. will
honestly describe the picture which my mir
ror reflects. and then perhaps you will con-
gratulate yourself on having found person
SO frank as myself. Ny reddish yellow hair,
already thin on top, hangs in ringlets about
my full sized ears; my freckled nose is elevat-
ed by nature to high degree, my teeth are
conspicuous by the absence of not few, and
my greenish gray eyes would be my one re-
deeming feature if l were not cross eyed.
am tall and commanding-moste emphatically
commanding. My joints are too large to allow
my wearing rings, SO don't send any. am a
strong minded woman, sir, so think well be-
fore you further commit yourself B. R.
When Burton Smith received this mock
ing epistle, he thrust both hands into his
trousers pockets and stood gazing at his
feet with most detected air. No aero
batic performances now oh. mol No
occasion for them But as the humor of
his head and laughed-he roared
"The little mink Serves me right,
thought But how foolish she could make
fellow feel. Smith, you're an ASST
The June days passed, the eagerly an
ticipated vacation drew near, and at last
Paul Reynolds and Burton Smith found
themselves in the quaint old town of Cas-
tone, where they were happily welcomed.
At first Burton rather stood in awe OF
beautiful Belle Reynolds. Her lovely face
and graceful figure won universal admira-
tion, and her sweet disposition endeared
her to all Burton Smith proved to be no
exception. Their mutual love for all
kinds of outdoor sports threw them to-
gether constantly, and they became firm
friends Then as the time for his depar-
ture drew near he began to realize that in
leaving Belle Reynolds behind he was
leaving all that had made life so bright for
him during the last few weeks. Yet he
felt that there was no reason why he,
comparative stranger, should claim more
than the friendship accorded him.
He would undoubtedly have gone back
to business with his love untold had he
not unexpectedly come upon Belle in the
morning with a woebegone expression
and traces of tears upon her fair face. She
hastily explained that she had been in
dulging in fit of loneliness at the thought
of her brothers return, but the look and
blush which accompanied her words gave
him new courage, and, taking both her
hands in his, he asked:
MAY hope, Belle, that you will miss
me little, too when l am gone? For
give me for speaking so soon, but you
have become dear to me, and I am conceit-
ed enough to believe that you like me.
Tell me, darling, that you can in time
care for me, and will try to be worthy
of your dear love.
Whatever her answer may have been,
suffice it to say that when they emerged
from their secluded nook an hour later
their faces bore evidences of their new
found happiness.
by the way, Belle, have not yet met
your friend, Matilda Brindle Does she
not live in Castone!"
Belle stopped short i'll her walk and
looked at him. "Then you are
"Charles Burton Smith, at your serv-
ice" and he made profound bow just
in time TO receive sound box on the ear,
administered by the little beauty beside
him Then she fled precipitately
ton Post
He Knew the Lawyer.
Your honor" said the attorney.
''this mans insanity takes the form of