Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-07-08
Taurus Disposes
AN RS. JOSHUA RIGGS is a tall.
IMl spare NewEglander of the old

M spare N lew, .s Of the old
school, with the gray just frost
ing her temples. Mrs. Van Norden
stout and jovial, is dear, motherly
little body who makes up ia good
humor what she lacks in brilliancy.
Both are confirmed match-makers, in
which profession they are leading
lights. Nine out of ten of the young
couples of their acquaintance, who
have been married within the last five
years, they claim as their own They
admit but one real defeat, and that
they lay solely to the perversity of
fate. 1t was in the peculiar case OF
Joe Somers and Blanche FELTON, that
fate and these two guardian angels de
creed differently.
The match, as it originated in their
busy minds, was made one jane after
noon on Mrs. Van Norden's porch. Mrs.
Riggs had Brought her knitting, and
the rockers creaked merrily.
When | married Joshuay Riggs
said the tall one, Il knew just what
was about. | want so foolish as to
put up with no shiftless man. l had
my eyes open. Now, it's all in gettin'
a man Of compatible temperament. A
Lively girl amt no more suited to a
siow-gojn' parson than flea to a snail,
an Tieey versy. l got nah that was
suitable for me-
Now. there's that Joe Somers, just
come here to spend three months, you
know. His mother married one of the
Jones boys down to the crick. an
they've always had sort of liking for
this country. Now the first minute
set eyes on Joe Somers, l says,
There's the man for Fay Alden He's
a big, gOod-natured, jolly young man.
you can see it in his face, and you
know what Fay is. Seems so they
must take to each other"
Dear mew said Mrs. Van Norden,
smiling plaeidly. who knows hnt
what they may make a match of it
right this summer? l says, who
knows?
You know an l know. S'phia Van
Norden. that what young folks needs
nowadays is assistance. And the soon
er we get at it the better"
But things went wrong from the
first Somehow young Somers persist
ed in showing liking for other girls.
and Fay persisted in retaining heart
whole composure. The weeks wore by,
and Somers displayed an alarming ten
dency to stray from the prescribed
path.
Its got to be done for en-" decided
Mrs Riggs. Mrs. Van Norden agreed.
And so there was a picnic party at
Perkins grove, Mrs. Riggs and Mrs.
Van Nerden being the chaperons and
matron saints. Fay Alden and Joe
Somers were there. of course There
were also Blanche FELTON,, a sweet,
outlet little creature, and Morton En-
gle. who stood first in his class at col
lege,-another match upon which the
two good ladies had long set their
hearts; also Elsie Maynard and Harry
Bradley, recently engaged, with help
from the usual source, and made MEM
bers of the party because of their in
spring example.
Lunch was in process OF preparation
when the trouble began. The cloth
was spread on grassy knoll by the
lake shore and baskets were being
emptied. Then some one must go to
the spring. Miss Maynard and Brad
ley were delegated. Then Fay Alden
must needs arise with a swishing OF
skirts anu hasten after them.
They'll never get back If l don't"
she said.
.'P'raps you'd better go long. too"
said Mrs Riggs, innocently. looking at
Somers. ave four can set the table /"
I'm GO" volunteered Engle. with I'm
usual alacrity and straightway went.
Here was pretty state of affairs. to
be sure. Well. the best must be made
OF il, Operations could be suspended
until the Jacks and Jills returned with
their pail of water.
Dear mer' said Mrs. Van Norden.
II wish l had n sideboard. | hate 10
nut these things on the ground. These
ants are an abomination, l suppose |
ought to be used to this picnic bizness
by this time. but I've never got quite
reconciied 10 settin' on my feet at din
ner. What's that?"
THAT" was the somewhat violent in
strument in the hands OF fate. who
entered upon the stage at this juucture
aud turned things topsy-turyy. That"
was Deacon Perkins bull. PlayfaIly
he came. charging down on the picnic
marty like an overgrown kitten on q
bail Of yarn. shaking his head and bel
lowing joyously.
At the first alarm Somers seized the
densure Blanche in his strong arms
and ran with her down to the boat,
which was drawn up on the beach,
There was but one boat Placing her
carefully In the center. he pushed OF,
ard soon they were floating on the pla.
cid surface OF the lake, far out OF
harms way.
Not SO the two matrenly persons
who were somewhat slower In getting
OF. Mrs. Riggs grasped a basket in
one hand and napkin in the other
and followed them. AS for Irs. Var
Norden. she succeeded in reSeuing q
solitary banana. Together they rushed
madly down the hank in pursuit OF the
escaping pair. The boat was pushed
or before they reached il. and in thell
terror the ladies follows ii into tia
water, shrieking loudly. and stOppins
eCly when the water began 10 ripple
me,rily about their waists. and rapid
progress became difficult.
s.ron,a harkf Cana hareps x0iias
Mrs. Riggs.
SomerS looked around In diSmay
Il can't" he said The oars are vi
there"
The two ladies looked toward tht
shore. There were the oars lying peace
fully on the bank. while the bull wa.
enjoying himself immensely with III,