Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-08
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.

n. ACK5 WARING was bashful, but
all It was a question if he was any
more bashful than Ethel Talcott.
They could not speak to each other on
even the most trivial subjects without
stammering and blushing, but Jack
persisted in calling. despite the appar-
ent discomfort his visits caused both.
Everybody could see that he was des-
perately In love, and 1t was saying
among their friends that II JACK could
ever summon up the courage to pro-
pose. Ethel would be too bashful to re-
fuse him, whether she loved him or not.
She had Just come out at the beginning
Of the season, about the same time that
sack who had just graduated from col
lege and entered his fathers business,
OF which he was the prospective heir,
first began to attract the attention Of
designing mothers and attractive
daughters. Perhaps 1t was while avoid
ing them that he met Ethel, who had
found that there are ways OF keeping
out Of sight when ballroom was
crowded with other girls who were en-
Joying themselves. Anyway, some
common chord of sympathy made them
embarrassed friends from their first
meeting.
Although Jack was bashful, he called
on Ethel as often us he dared. but In
spite of oil resolution to overcome his
difiidence he made little progress with
his suit. They could get along fairly
well when there were others in the
room with them, but when left to them
selves they suffered. Unlike most
young people In similar case. they
courted rather than avoided the COM
pany Of Ethels little brother. Gus, and
Jack soon became such friends with
him that he felt called upon to remem-
Der his birthday. This he did by send
ing him an elaborate box Of building
blocks, which Gus dragged into the
parlor- on the occasion Of his next visit,
and insisted that the donor teach him
how to build with them.
"What shall build?" Jack asked.
Build me big hotel like the one
Ethel and were at last summer"
Jack obediently drew his chair to the
middle of the room and began on a
suitable design. But he soon found
that building while sitting on a chair
was difficult, and as Gus was sprawled
comfortably on the floor watching the
work, he presently slipped down be-
side him. Now 1t is a peculiar thing
about building blocks that although
they are always bought for children,
very few children can work out the
designs that go with them, and con-
sequently they are forced to call on
their elders to help them. Moreover
their elders usually take kindly to the
task, and are apt to get cross II, the
child interferes In any way and delays
the work In hand. In very few min
utes Jack was as deeply interested as
II he were building sure-enough hotel.
and Gus watched with admiration.
Presently he tried to put in place an
arch that was in two pieces and needed
two other, blocks to be placed beside it
in order to hold the pieces in place, but
In doing so he knocked corner out Of
the building with his elbow.
you clumsy boy!' exclaimed Ethel,
who had been, watching with the ut
most intense interest. "Here-let me
hold them" and moment later she
was sitting on the floor with them.
Jack patiently rebuilt the damaged
corner and then Ethel held the arch
until he had built around 1t.
Nov make some bathing houses on
the beach," commanded Gus.
Jack obeyed, and then Gus brought
3 out some men and women cut out Of
cardboard and set them around to re-
present the guests.
Here's you and Ethel. I'll introduce
you, for you weren't acquainted them"
said the young rascal, as he placed the
figure of man raising his hat before
that of a young woman with a parasol.
"All right" said Jack. but l am
not raising my hat at her as l should.
am raising II at the far corner of the
bQilqins. Hsts, Ut ne sst tAs@ nght"