The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-10-26
ONLY A MATTER OF SIGNS.

ONLY A MATTER OF SIGNS.
81 never knew such impudence! He
wouldn't dare to do ut if there were g
man on the place. l am going to take
it down this minute"
She rushed from the room and the
banging door drowned her mothers
Iemonstrance. call her back NATL
da. We can't tell what she may do
and it is unwise to offend Taylor I'M
necessarily"
Matilda looked laziy out of the win
dow.
1T is too late, mother. she is half
way across the cornfield, now. Good
'gracious, she is climbing the fence, and
there is the gate just ten yards away"
But ten yards was a long distance
when 10 was in a hurry. Over she
went, and on breathIessly, across an
other field which ran parallel with the
railroad track. At it's edge, in full
view Of passing trains was a large
barn, it's sway-backed roof rather the
worse for lack of shingles, and on one
side an enormous red sheet Of canvass
with staring white letters which an
nounced, Grand Barbecue at Scruggs
Station" and concluded with the demo-
cratic invitation: Come One, Come
ALL"
| A man was putting the last tack in
to the canvas when the girl accosted
him: Hello, what are you doing?"
The reply came from the top of the
ladder; "Nothin', I'm done" And he
began to descend. But | must insist
upon your taking it down." Whats
the matter with it," His insolent
manner crimsoned her cheeks to the
color of the sign she surveyed scorn-
fully "a great deal; chief of all is the
impertinance of placing it there with
out our consent" "Well, them's my
orders, and It's done. If you want it
took down, you got to see the boss.
Here he comes now" And he placed
the ladder against the barn and went
off without further parley
How do you dor was the noncha-
liant greeting of the newcomer stand
ing at ease in the road beyond. The
girl walked to the fence with a deter
mined air. Good afternoon" she said
stifly II was just ordering the man to
remove this sign from our premises,
but he declined referring me to you as
the boss, her pretty lip curled-
and l must ask you to see that the
obnoxious thing is taken down at once"
well, really, that is beyond me just
at present. 1t was put there by order
of the committee, of which I am only
an insignificant member, and "Wil
you kindly inform me by what right
the committee ordered it put upon our
barn without our consent?" He was
civil andself-possessed as he replied:
why, it was rather cheeky, wasn't |
it? But ] presue they took your con-
sent for granted. Anyway, if you don't |
mind, I'd like to have it remain there
until tomorrow. when / can arrange
with the committee. I'm awfully sorry
if you object" He smiled across the |
fence at her, with frank, handsome
eyes, 10 was Modified and recognized |
the fact with horror In an effort to I
be as dignified as she felt she ought to
be she went to the other extreme. II
most certainly do object, and further
more it will not be necessary for you
to see the committee / am perfectly
able to take the sign down myself"
And with naughty toss of her bare
head she went to the ladder. She was
with it and half dragged it
-oward the sign, when 1t was seized
with quiet strength. "Allow me-if
am not mistaken-this is NV lad
Ter" And your barn, too L suppose
you were going to add" She stood
painting with childish rage. "That rent
has not been paid, l know, but it will
De, as soon as possible. In the mean !
ime, pray be generous enough to spare
Is further insolence."
There was silence while he carried
he ladder to the fence, threw it over
nd himself climbed to the other side.
There, he turned face white with
feeling. 81 shall not reply,
or fear of telling you some plain
ruths as to your display of temper.
hall see about the sign tomorrow In
he meantime permit me to be equally
rm in determination that it must re-
aain there for, the present" Then,
the ladder over his shoulder
e went off rapidly down the railroad. {
o started stupidity after him, then she
urned to the sign There you are.
ut not for long, Well see" The
'hite letters Knocked her with a vacant
and Come One, Come AL"
anced before her eyes as she made
er way slowly back to the house. They
hone along every fence, they adorned Z
ne well curb, where she stopped for a {
rink of water At the big sty she | ,
aused and said in response to friendly :
runts: You would have better man
ers, wouldn't you, piggy-wig?" lis