Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1902-07-25
Taurus Dlsposes

mi spar. spa sS Ssxnslaad ses q the odd Old
school, with the gray just frost
Ing her temples Mrs Van Norden,
stout and jovial, Is dear. motherly
little body who makes up In good
humor what she lacks In brlllancy.
Both are confirmed matehmakers. 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 peryersIty 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 1t originated In their
busy minds, was made one June after
noon on Mrs. Van Norden's porch. Mrs.
Riggs had brought her knitting, and
the rockers creaked merrily.
when l married Joshuay Riggs"
said the tall one, Il knew just what
l was about l want so foolish as to
put up with no shiftless man. l had
my eyes open. Now, it's all In gettln'
a man of compatible temperament. A
lively girl amt no more suited to
slow-goin' parson than flea to a snail,
an vicey versy. l got man 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,
know what Fay Is. Seems SO they
must take to each other"
Dear mel' said Mrs. Van Norden,
smiling placldly. who knows but
what they may make match of 1t
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 1t the better"
But things went wrong from the
first. Somehow young Somers persist
ed In showing a 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.
IT'S got to be done for EN-" decided
Mrs. Riggs. Mrs. Van Norden agreed.
And 30 there was picnic party at
Perkins grove. Mrs. Riggs and Mrs.
Van Norden being the chaperons and
matron saints. Fay Alden and Joe
Somers were there. of course. There
were also Blanche FELTON,. sweet,
quiet 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 men,
bers of the party because OF their In
spring example.
Lunch was in process OF preparatio
when the trouble began. The cloth
was spread on grassy knoll by the
lake shore. and baskets were being
emptied. Then SOME one must 20 to
the spring. Miss Maynard and Brad
ley were delegated. Then Fay Alden
must needs arise with a swlshlng OF
skirts anu hasten after them.
They'll never get back II l dont."
she said.
"P'raps you'd better go long. too"
said Mrs. Riggs. innocently, looking al
Somers. 1--WE four can set the table"
"I'll CO." volunteered Engle, with un-
usual alacrity and stralghtway went.
Here was pretty state Of affairs, to
be sure. Well, the best must be made
Of It. Operations could be suspended
until the Jacks and Jills returned with
their pail Of water.
"Dear mel" said Mrs. Van Norden.
Fl wish l had s!deboard. | hate to
put these things on the ground. These
ants are an abomination, l suppose
ought to be used TO this picnic hizness
by this time, but I've never got quite
reconciled to 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 juncture
aud turned things topsy-turvy That"
was Deacon Perkins bull. Playfully
he came. charging down on the picnic
party like an overgrown kitten on a
ball OF yarn, shaking his head and bel
lowing Joyously.
At the first alarm Somers seized the
dsmure Blanche in his strong arms
and ran with her down to the boat,