Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-08
The Behavior of Classy.

st was plain that thought lay verJ
heavy upon the impressionablt
Cassy. He lounged in the long chail
which was his by ancient right. Hi.
eyes had dreams in them; he nursed hi.
right leg affectionately in the way
knew SO well. And presently:
I'm a nice sort Of q fool, taking
things all around" he burst out Of s
sudden. And he sat upright and looked
as though he had thrown challenge Il
me and to the world. -
You shouldn't say that" said l
"Self-depreciation Is the worst thing
possible in these cOnceited days"
81 didn't come here to listen to YOU
tinpot epigrams," said Classy. fiercely.
/ was not offended fiatter myself
that have come to know Cassy-a lit
tie.
VERY well, then. Who is she?"
asked him.
Cassy's lips moved, and l caught the
word before he spoke 1t aloud. Grace
he said slowly. Its a fine name for a
girl, isn't itW The last assertively; the
challenge was In his tone again.
'It certainly wouldn't be much of q
name for boy" 1 suggested.
He fiared out anew at this, and
forced myself into my old sympathetic
mood. And Classy. growing calmer:
Ibid you ever read-do you ever read
children's fairy tales, where everything
Ia right, and fits so easily into its place;
where the poor student comes always
to the princess, with arms held out to-
ward her and a smile on his face. Aad.
II there be any wicked people they 20
away, or die. or get out of the thing
somehow, so that they can work no
mischief. And everything ends just as
the poor student (and the princess) de-
sire, and they are happy ever after?
81 do read them sometimes"
81 sometimes think" he said. that II
is a great pity that we cannot live in
that pleasant land of fairy tales. When
1 call now (he was applying his
thought to his own particular trouble)
I am never able to see her. The old
mans all right, rather jolly sort of
chap altogether. But the mater hates
me like poison She comes into the
room all smiling. and says that Grace
IL out, or laid up with a slight attack of
whatever Illness happens to be fashion
able at the time. Il give her credit for
being a clever woman; she varies the
complaint so neatlyD And then we talk
about the weather and the last novel
and so on, and when go, SO glad you
called, Mr.. Classy, and l get out onto
the street. When l turn the corner
ask myself why 1t Is not fairyland, and
why l can't go back with my faithful
followers and carry her In triumph
from the house."
Yet always" l reminded him, 1.-THE
Door student had many difficulties tC
cohquer:'
He did not have a Mrs. Hepworth
Smith to encounter" said Classy.
But she may be won over in time,
suggested.
Not by me-" said Classy. I'm no
body You don't know Grace, do you?
he added suddenly.
1T Is my misfortune" l returned.
well, of course, then, you don't un
derstand. You can't possibly under
stand She's"
.'That'n do. I'll take Grace for grant
ed. The point now Is Mrs. Hepworth
Smith, and the utter indifference of the
once kind gods. You can't see her; yot
"Yes," said Classy with deliberation
'T think do"
"Why don't you write, thenT'
Classy was aghast at my brilliant
thought He uncurled his knee ant
threw himself back in the chair as q
man who has cast burden from hi.
shoulders. He said: ITS great.
never thought about that for a min
ute"
"Pm awfully sorry, coming round ant
worrying you like this. But"
I'm always glad to be Of service"
responded feebly. marveling at my
masterstroke Of cleverness. "Bu
whatY
"Oh, nothing. Only. If You knew hel
I'm sure you would understand"
And before he left that night We
drank very soIemnly to the rout of Mrs
Hepworth-S Smith and the complete sue
cess of the knight Classy.
"How long is it since saw you lastY'
questioned Classy.
"Just over n week"
"a week? 1t seems like a month"
"Why." I said, little amazed
whats the new Development"
II wrote" said Classy. He glared a
me. Don't you hear met l wrote
Yes" l said. And"
Il wrote" he repeated for the thirI
time. He leaned forward. He staret
at me as If to read riddle. Then b,
receded into the chair again, Disguised
with life. A long pause. I've had NJ
answer" he finished rather thea trically
MY dear fellow" 1 said, do yO,
think the lady had her mind ready
made up for you? l suppose-am
right?-it was not a letter to be an
swered offhand?'
"Ofhand," said Classy with grea
Scorn. "A week. One-two-three-fiv
-six-seven days"
sSometimcs letters 60 wrong in thu
posi-" said.
It WAS only . straw. but Classy jump
- et = I said Ut was the Qnly thin