The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-11-01
CRUSHED STRAWBERRIES.


seat For II I had not had so many
parcels and things to distract my at
tention I might have noticed that "A
bag OF traWberrics-the exact coun-
terpart OF the one | was carrying-was
reposing upon the seat | was about to
occupy. / might have saved myself
the humiliation Of sitting down upon
perlshable article which did not be-
long to me. But fate willed otherwise.
My mind was dstraught. My thoughts
were bent upon the parcels In my en-
brace. In fact, sat down, fairly and
squarcly, upon those Strawberries, and,
realizing their presence, became Gov
cred with confusion, so much so that
il was fully thirty seconds before /
dared TO look at the owner of the In
jured fruit seated by my side.
II certainly did not add 10 my com
posure to discover that this was none
other than my interesting fellow pas.
senger with the attractive voice.
/ stammcrcd confused apology,
feeling | had made myself thoroughly
ridiculous. but grateful FOR the fact
that the incident had apparently es-
capped the general notice.
Then, all In a fash, the funny side
OF my misfortune became revealed TO
me. would have given all my worldly
goods and chattels to sthe the demon
Of mirth that took possession Of me
at that moment AS II was, the ef-
fort to hide my merrlment nearly
killed me. | glanced at my neighbOr,
hoping | had not been observed only
20 discover that he also was shaking
with silent laughter. The sight was
too much for my sclf-control. My
sense Of propricty suddenly deserted
me, and | Joined quite unreslranedly
in the series Of low chucklcs to which
the owner OF the crushed strawberries
was giving vent.
1T was frlghtfully awkward OF me"
gasped at last, feeling | had not suf-
ficicntly expressed my sense Of the
cnOrmity OF my offensc.
ION the contrary" he returned,
promptly, "it was entirely my fault
had no business to put that bag
down on seat which | might have
known would be occupied"
But | ought to have looked where
| was going to sit"
"And | ought to have seen you com
ing. But please don't distress yourself
any more about such tritle.'
Then you must put an end TO my
distress by taking my Strawberries and
giving me the crushed ones. IFs a
fair exchange"
81 can't allow that. / am bound to
tell you that, in sitting on those straw
berries. you have really done me II
good turn that | can never repay"
My curiosity would have demanded
an explanation OF this mysterious ut
tcrancc forthwith, but just then the
bus arrived at its destination.
From that day | felt as IL my new
acquaintance and had been Intimate
friends for years; and it seemed the
most natural thing In the world that,
at our next meeting, we should resume
the conversation of the previous day.
what did you mean by saying |
had done you a good turn I'm crushing
those Strawberries" l asked. "Don't
you think me inquisitive," | added
hastily. seeing the look of emharrass-
ment on his face. "It would ease my
conscience II you told me. that's all"
well. then, at the risk of being
thought impcrtincnt, | will tell you.
Those strawberries gave me an oppor-
tunity of making your acquaintance,
which l should have otherwise d
SPARED Of
That was an answer | had not eN-
pected. The idea that any one. par
tlcularly young man, should 20 out
Of his way to wish to make my nc.
quaintance was so novel to me that
every other feeling gave way to one
of astonishmcnt.
what on earth did you want TO
make my acquaintance forp / ex-
claimed.
question" he said. you would have
right to be very angry with me-"
Whereupon l dscreetly held my
tongue.
THAT reminds me-" he continued
presently. I'VE have made one anoth-
er's acquaintance In such an uncon.
ventional manner that we haven't even
introduced ourselves. My name is Rob
ert Armstrong"
And mine is Jessie Poell."
"poell' Suraiy yau'rn not Tho Miss
Poell-l beg your pardon. but do you
know a man called Charlie Eour-
| chierg"
Charlie Bourchier. Why. of course
l do cried. IL ought to know him
considering he's engaged to"
stopped abruptly, catching sight
OF my companions face. Never had
seen any one look 50 utterly crest
fallen.
whats the matterg' | asked.
"Oh. nothing" he replied. hurriedly
Its curious coincidence. Charli,
Bourchier Is an old chum OF mine.
haven't seen him for years. but n,
wrote 20 me not long ago announcing
his engagement To- n Miss Poell. An,
now | find that you are the very per
son. l confess the discovery has TAX
en- me by surprise"
but you didn't let me finish." I'm
terrupted. IL was going To say Char
lie Bourchier is engaged to my sister
Emmie"
Thank the Iordw calculated Mr.