Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-03-14
THE FIREMAN'S
...WOOING
The Story of a Girl Who
Chose Not Wisely.

"Sit here, please" said Fanny as she
stood with her shapely hands upon the
back of chair that she had drawn a
little way out from the table 1t was
the boast OF the proprietor that he had
the handsomest lot of Mattresses on
the road, and the queen Of the collec-
ton was Fanny Mccain. That's how
she happened to be head waitress, for
she could not know much OF the bust
ness. She had come to the place part
ly because her widowed mother was
poor and partly TO crafty consuming
desire to pose as the prettlest girl
there, for she had been consulting her
mirror
The fireman frowned. but took seat
next to the proprietor Of the Mint Ju-
lep The flreman's face, newly wash
ed and hardly rubbed, gllstened In the
glare of the electric light, and the
same light played upon the Jeweled
hands and immaculate shirt front of
the Julep man. The fireman bowed
coldly, and the other, feeling certain
superiority In the matter of dress and
| personal appearance, smiled.
The head waitress, taking a position
at one of the windows, stood looking
nj the two men, both OF whom had
made love TO her. She had purposely
seated them so as to get their faces In
one frame. as 1t were. for she had been
unable to forsake one and cleave to
the other. She respected the fireman.
she had loved him once and had ac-
dazzled by the handsome, well groom.
ed proprietor OF the Mint Julep. Once
or twice the fireman ventured to look
up but each time he saw her gazing
upon his rival. and his heart was filed
with dread.
what time shall call?" he asked
rs Fanny handed him his ticket.
Not before 8. | detest being first Ia
ballroom"
Suppose we say $50? 1t will be 0
by the time we reach the hall"
Nine" said Fanny. noddlng mt the
Julep man as he passed out, with his
chlnchilla thrown gracefully over his
shoulders.
But I'm on the reception commit
tee"
Then go and 'recep' and come back
for me. shan't leave the house be.
fore D. MY. how gay you areF
The fireman went out with heavy
heart. Fanny was getting on. She
had not used such language TO MIN De-
fore and It cut him TO the quick. He
remembered how he had begged her TO
keep out OF the eating house ana tried
to hint to her mother that the place
was full OF lures.
ITS only short step In the direc-
tlon OF danger" he said. "A public
dinner room. camp meeting. the skat-
Ing rink. and
stop" said Fanny's mother. Il VIII
not have you hint even that Fanny Is
capable Of being bad"
And SO I'll" fireman had been power
less to prevent the pure young girl
from putting herself In this position.
Promptly at 0 o'clock he called for
Fanny. She would be out In mo-
ment. her mother said.
During the half hour In which he
waited Tor the expiration OF WON
nn's moment" the fireman noticed
number OF new pieces OF furniture'
also he noticed that Fannys mother
was little reserved Fanny herself
while amply deiib"rnte' was irrltapic
ind nervous. Conversation seemed to
go slowly with them. Ike hehvy
train on an up grade.
When they entered the ballroom, the
Gddlers were already flddllng, and they
fell In line for the opening walk
round.
Over in one end OF the hall there was
bank OF plants and ferns. loaned by
leading citizens for the firemen's an
nual ball. and just In front Of the oasis
stood the Julcp man. immaculate as
ever and wearing the only evening
dress suit In the room.
He was radiant and all the more 80
nv comnnrIson for not a few OF the