The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-07
THE MODERN FABLE.
IFrom the Chieeago News.l

From the Chicago News
Once upon q Time there was a Lonely
and Deserving Girl named Clara, who was
getting so near thirty that she didn' [
good word for her She Travelled with the
thoroughbreds and was always among
stand why she ihadn't married Other
girls not as good looking or accomplished
buds Already some of them were begin
ming to act as ehaperOns for Clara They
began to think that she would land on the
bargain counter and have to be satisfied
with widower who wore a toupee and
dyed his eyebrows.
clara was somewhat of a mind-reader.
She knew that hte friends Of her youth
were predicting hard finish for her,
she decided to fool them. And she knew
the children started in to call her auntie.
Now It is not to be inferred that Clara
what the underwriters call 3 bad
risk She never had been a drug the
market. When she went to q hop she
didn't have to wait for ladies' choice in
order to swing into the may. In fact,
she had been engaged now and then, just
for practice. and She had received offers
from some of the hold-over bachelors who
habit But Clara was not out for any
man who had been turned down else
where. She wanted the right kind and
she was going to do the picking herself.
Having made inventory of the pos
sibilities, she selected the treasurer of the
shoe factory ana decided that she could
love him without straining herself He
was about her age and was almost as
good looking as a Gibson man, and had
land him, however. because the compel
ton was very keen and he was wary,
trying TO be kind friend TO every girl
he knew, but playing favorites. He
kept the parents guessing. The treasurer
paper would call great catch.
Clara got busy with herself and Matched
ready to pike away for the heated term,
Clara surprised her friend by guessing
a nervy thing to do, Because all the so
cial head-liners who could command the
mer hotel and loiter on the pine veranda
and try to think they were recuperating.
but She would stay at home and be a
companion to poor, lonesome papa So all
their cameras and talcum powder and
witch hazel and Clara was left alone in
Ii is a traditional fact that there is no
social life IN town during the dog days
But there is nothing to prevent bright
girl from starting something. That IS
what Clara. did
She stocked up the refrigerator and
hung 3. hammock on the lawn with few
easy chairs around it. The young men
marooned in town heard Of the good thing
snG no one mad TO tear their garments to
induce them to come. They arrived at
the rate of from seven to twelve a night
and dipped into papa cigars and the Il
Quid nourishment, regardless. Although
Clara had remained in town to act as
companion 70 papa II was noticed that
when she had all the company in the
evening papa either had been chloroform-
ders TO stay under cover.
Clara did not send for the treasurer ct
the shoe factory. She knew better thin
to go out after her prey. She allowed
him TO find his way to the house with the
others When he came, she did not cf7ide
him for failing to make his party call: /
neither did she rush toward him with
low cry of joy, therby tipping her hand. (
She knew that the treasurer of the shoe I
factory was next to all those boarding (
school tactics and could not be handled /
by the methods that go with the college 1
$ students Clara had enjoyed about ten 4
years experience in handling the crea- /
lures and she had learned to labor and to |
wait She simply led him into the circle /
there in the cleaning and observe how
popular she was All the men were scrap
ping TO see would would be next 10 sit in
he hammock with her. It looked for
while as If Clara would have to give out
,hecks the same as in q barber shop. I
ate that night when the men walked
lomeward together. they remarked that
Clara was warm hostess
Next evening the treasurer of the shoe
actOry was back on the lawn. So were
III the others. They said there was no
leaJing a place where you could play /
fairy queen in white come and push I
old drinks at You and not have to sign /
ny ticket. They comp 9se1 hattering songs
bout Clara and every time she moved |
here was a man right there with a sofa /
ushion 10 help her to be confort able.
In the meantime the other girls out a
he summer resorts were doing the best
lev could with these high school cadets
earring tides around their hats. who
ouid rather go out in a eat-boat and get
heir arms tanned than remain on shore
nd win the honest love of an American
irl with a string 10 it,
Clara's work about this time was ever