Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-07-18

stantly recalled TO tie latter some
amusing experiences of the dear old
school days.
"Whnt mischief are you up top he
cried. But, here, I'm in the way.
Don't let me bother you. I'll see you
In the morning" And he drew back
and half turned toward the door.
Hold on" cried Jim, with n plunge
at him, "you don't get away from me
tonight. You stay right here until
can properly dispose of you"
Hon. Jack Speed was seated at Jim's
the latter's increased uneasiness. Then
the banquet commenced, and for an
hour the clatter and chatter continued
without break. Jim was as delight
full as Of yore, dividing his attention
very equally between the guest of the
evening and Spencer, but the latter's
heart was filled with a vague distrust.
When the clatter finally ceased, Jim
raped on the table, and in nice little
speech told of the purpose of the ban
quet. He introduced the mayor, who
briefly welcomed back Hon. Mr.. Speed
to Palmyra. Then Hon. Mr.. Speed re-
sponded in brisk speech, testifying to
his delight in returning home to such
friends and such welcome, senti-
ment which was greeted with loud ap-
plause. Then Jim rose again, with a
crumpled telegram in his hand. He
much regretted, he said, to be obliged
to announce that Hon. Dwight Per-
kins could not be with them. A tele-
gram he had just received announced a
railway accident that blocked the road
and held back Mr. Perkins, 60 miles
away.
"Our regret, however" said Jim, "is
somewhat mitigated by the fact that
we fortunately have with us as an
honored guest one Of the most promi-
nent Of New York's young political
and social leaders Mr.. Spencer Clifford,
who will talk to us on the question of
the hour"
AS Jim sat down patter Of applause
ran round the hall and the long lines Of
faces assumed an expectant express
sion.
Remember your old debating tri-
umphs," whispered the perfidious Jim.
"and sail in"
Spencer gave him horrible scowl as
he rose to his feet. Then he turned to
the auditors with pleasant smile. He
put his teeth together hard. He
wouldn't be bluffed. And deep down
in his soul he felt gratified that jim.
despite his consummate meanness,
had confidence in him. Jim knew he
wouldn't f1uke. He would say word
or two and retire as gracefully as pos
sible.
When Spencer, after an eloquent
plause was vigorous and long drawn
out, and Jim, his face flushed and his
eyes sparkling, grabbed Spencer's hand
under the table and squeezed 1t hard
and said: "Great, my boy, great! You
ought to get down on your bended
knees to me for bringing you out"
When it was all over, Jim said: 1--WE
must get our coats and hunt up Min
ME. Minnie is Mrs. Jim. She's little
jealous Of you now. Don't make her
more so. BY the way, she has young
woman from your overgrown town in
tow tonight. and we'll have to escort
her to her aunt's home. Know her?
She's Miss Anna Goldie."
A little later they We're out, in the
open air, Anna walking with Spencer
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jim going ahead,
that acute married dame having ap-
pareutly sized up the situation.
AFTER hearing you this evening"
said Anna softly, II think this is tho
field you are fitted for"
There was pause. They fell back
a little farther.
do you know" he asked abruptly,
"what 1t is that has awakened me?"
mo" she answered.
sit is love-" he said.
He looked down at her. Her face
was averted.
"Do you know what brought mo
down here? Do you know what car-
ried me through that speech tonighty"
mo" she softly murmured.
"You!'
A half hour later he stopped Mrs.
Jim as she excused herself to the two
men smoking In the library.
"One moment" he said. ~ Want
you to know that had mentally prom
ised your scamp Of husband sound
thrashing for the liberty he took with
my name tonight but I've found he
blundered into doing me favor. Pm
going to forgive him. I've even gone
so far as to bless him." He held out
both hands. Congratulate me. dear
friends" he cried, with a radiant smile
I'm a very happy and a very fortu.
nate man."
And then he told them about Anna