The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-30
A GIRLS GOOD SENSE.
Rx susan Brown Robbins.

nice, quiet, sensible girl and settle down
think he'd make a fine fellow" said
Mrs. Martin.
Miss Betty looked up quickly. at al
ways makes me mad to hear anyone say
that" she said crisply. 81 want to ask
What spite have you got against the
girl? Make a fine fellow of him! That
usually means that he is a pretty poor
specimen to start with"
Mrs. Martin glanced apprehensively at
Clara, who was bending lower over her
work. a flush on her delicate face.
From what l hear" Miss Betty went
on, II should say Jerry was pretty poor
material to make nice fellow out of. 1t
seems to me it would be a pity to sacri-
fee such girl as you describe--on the
doubtful chance of making a silk purse
out of a sows ear"
You are too. hand on Jerry" Mrs. Mar
tin protested. She was clearly uneasy and
glanced significantly toward Clara.
II am fully aware that Clara is in the
room, Mrs. Martin" said Miss Betty.
But that is not going to prevent my
saying my say about that young man."
You can say what you are mind to-"
retorted Mrs. Martin. You never did like
jerry. but I tell you he's got his good
points,
Drinks, don't her? Miss Betty de-
manded blllntly.
CLARA started and looked shocked.
Lots of men take a little when they
are young said Mrs. Martin uneasily,
but they get over 1t when they settle
down.
You don't deny that he drinks-we
won't say Like fish, but enough so he
tas had to be helped home several times
Than ba Ia a
when he isn't feeling good natured he 5
got a fiendish temper and swears like q
pirate"
Can't you say more nice things about
him?' asked Mrs. Martin sarcastically.
Yes, I can" answered Miss Betty,
promptly. Hes inclined to be lazy, and
he stays out late nights, galavanting
around with nobody-knowswho"
He's been more steady lately said
Mrs. Martin defenSiveiy.
Miss Betty raised her eyebrows. looked
meaningly at Clara and coughed slightly.
I'm gled to hear it, but I guess you are
the only one that has noticed it."
There was an awkward silence, though
Miss Betty did not seem to notice its
awkwardness.
ION the other hand" she continued more
slowly, The is certainly very handsome.
He is pleasant and agreeable when he
wants to make good impression, and he
is strong and capable and good worker
when he's mind to be-"
"Well, said Mrs. Martin triumphantly,
that's something, and 1 say again, If
he married the right kind of a girl, he d
probably settle down and be all right"
THAT may be- said Miss Betty, and
il a girl wants to try that kind of an
experiment, why, it's a free country, and
she has perfect right to, but l do hate
to see her going into it blind. If she
wants to start a reformatory, all right.
Some folks have a taste for that sort of
thing and are lifted for that kind of
missionary work But If a girl wants to
start home, and thinks that is what she
is doing, and then finds out after a
month or so that instead she has got a
Sanitarium for drunkenness on her hands,
why--it seems to me she will be sort of
unpleasantly surprised. not to say disap-
pointed"
Mrs. Martin was fast losing her tenn
per. '"She won't be an old maid even
them" she snapped.
Miss Betty smiled calmly. "I expected
we'd come to that before we got through.
I've been an old maid now for most TWEEN
ty years. You take a woman who has
been tied to q drinking man for that
length of time and just compare us. II
happier of the two, why-I'll never say
another word against Jerry Hanscomb." =
There was a moments pause, and then
Miss Betty went on:
THE worst Of 1t is. girls are such
fools, the most of them. Just because u
fellow is handsome and dashing they
think he's perfectly lovely and they pass
by steady, honest young men. like John
Trent, for instance, and let them become
old bachelors"
Miss Betty folded up her work and
reached for her shawl and fascinater.
tits getting on towards supper time"
she said, as she rose to go.
Mrs. Martin seWed very fast and did
not look up. but Clara went with the
caller to the door. I'm coming over to
see you soon." she said timidly.
well, hope you will" said Miss Bet
ty, heartily.
AS she walked along the road she spoke
aloud. I'm glad 1 did it, and I guess 1
took it in time. 1 don't believe she cares
anything about him yet, but if I'd waited
any longer-I don't know"
Clara went back to her aunt and faced
her with flashing eyes. us 1t true-what
she said?' she demanded
"Why, yes, / suppose so-only she
made it out fully as bad as 1t is"
80 "And you never told me. You let me
think he was a good man. What made
you do it., Aunt Martini"
Il always liked Jerry, and 1 thought
you were just the one to improve him"
Mrs. Martin hooked little scared. She
had never seen her niece in such mood
as this.
Clara was silent for some time, then
she asked:
And how about John Trent? I used
to play with him when we were children
and 1 came out here visiting. / always
thought he was nice boy. But this
time, whenever he has called you have
snubbed him. or have managed so 1
should not see him. You have made me
think there was something wrong about
him, and that the other fellow was the
better one. 1t seems that can't trust
you any more, but won't You tell me
truly what is the matter with John?'
Mrs. Martin was crying weakly. He
he's so slow"