The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1900-07-14

know absolutely nothing.
Mr.. Llmkins welcomed this oppor-
tunity as something he had always
ionged for; but he wanted Mrs. Linn
kins to think he was doing il under
protest.
As Mr.. Limkins strobe along In the
moonlight, he felt particularly salts
fled with himself and he made up his
mind that his speech should be a mas
terpiece. He would make Stubbins
and Perkins turn green with envy. With
that speech he would make lasting
reputation. Mrs. Limkins should know
nothing about IL in advance; he would
make ii complete surprise to her.
And then how proud she would be of
him; and how much IL would add to his
advantage with her.
He decided TO tell Mrs. Limkins in
the morning that he would make
speech. just TO please her, and ~
though it were a matter of no eonse-
quencc TO him. lie would then spend
the rest of his time before the banquet
in arranging that speech, and fire IL of
~ an entirely ''extemporaneous" af-
fair. The very thought OF the glory
awaiting him as the result had an ex-
hilarating effect, and Mr.. Limkins
raised his chin in the air, clenched his
fingers, and praneed along like a
''three-year-old."
The next morning as Mr.. Limkins
was leaving the house for his office, he
said TO his wife as he patted her on the
head in fatherly way: "Now, little
woman, II 1t will please you ! will make
a few remarks at your banquet"
That's dear, good boy" said Mrs.
Limkins, "and you will let me write
out something for You, won't your
''No. little woman" he replied, II
can't come down To that, you know;
but you shall not be ashamed OF me-
And Mr.. LlmlGIns went of, leaving Mrs.
Limkins with some misgivings as TO the
final outcome of her plans. For when
n woman has been the constant com
panion of man for II years, she is
very apt to have fair idea fhis men
tai capacity.
During the next few days Mr.. Linn
klns devoted the greater part OF his
time TO the preparation OF his extern
porancous" speech. IL was a matter Of
80 much importance to him that he
even neglected his business TO con-
siderable extent; and when the morn
ing OF the day of the banquet arrived.
Mr.. LimltIns had written out and COM
mitted To memory a speech that he
considered very highclaas. However,
he felt that he needed little practice
In delivery and determined to let his
clerks go home early in the afternoon,
In order to have the Office all to himself
for rehearsal. BY three o'clock the
last clerk had gone, and Mr.. Limkins,
after locking all the doors, began his
recitation. However, he did not find
this sort Of practice at all satisfactory
at first. The dead, bare walls Of his Of
fee did not give back any encourage
ment, and he tried again and again
some particular sentences, with the
same unfavorable results. lie felt that
he could do better IL he had some living
thing 10 speak to--eyen II only "a dog or
cat. He needed a living pair OF eyes
that he could fix with his eyes, in order
10 concentrate his attention and prop
eriy reach his climax.
Now. In the shuttle OF the closing out
of the worlds fair, among other odds
and ends that had been sold at auction.
Mr.. Llmkns had come into possession
of a small white donkey that had been
used in the Streets Of Cairo. Mr.. Lin
kIns made this purchase for Silas, Jr.,
and Silas, Jr.. boy-like, had. for the Rrst
few weeks Of his possession, enjoyed
the donkey TO the fullest extent: but
the novelty had worn Oft. The donkey
was now an old story, and was allowed
to fall into a state OF innoeuous desue-
tude-~so far as Silas, Jr.. was con-
cerned.
SllaE, Jr., who had tired Of riding and
driving the donkey, now seldom
thought OF him. and when he did think
OF him IL was usually during one Of
those Ats OF ennui--whieh boys will
have--and on these occasions, Silas.
Jr., had for some time past been In the
habit of going into the barn, accom-.
panied by long sharp pointed stick,
with which he would prod the donkey
into giving first~clas@ exhibition in
high kicking. This sort of thing had
been going ON long enough 10 give the
donkey considerable practice and he
had already attained very high rec
ord for 40 small donkey. Silas. Jr.,
had not. however. thought II nsces-
sary to take anyone into his confidence
regarding his late achievements with
the donkey.
When Mr.. Llmklns felt the need OF
some living thing to inspire his elo-
quence, this living relic of the mid
way"very naturally came Into his mind
He knew the donkey was at leisure,
in the barn at home. and he at once de.
eIded the donkey should have the bene.
ft OF his rehearsal. A few minutes
later MFR. Limkins entered his barn,
closed and locked the doors behind him
and was alone with the donkey.
Mr.. Ltmkins prefaeed his remarks
with few kind soothing words to his
donkeyship, and taking a position inn
mediately In front of him. began his
Grafton. The donkey was standing In
the middle of the barn chewing some
scraps OF straw that were scattered
about, and paid but little attention TO
his visitor az tirst, but as Mr.. Limklns
got well into his subject and began
To throw In Delsarte movement here
and there. he raised bis head and
seemed Ia take consffEra bis infaraxt