The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-10-15

fate awaited him at home, bid $40
on Susie Perkins. whom his good
wife had once designated as sassy"
Rudd Castleton, the best golf player In
town, was a great help In bidding
up" and so also were Jack Clubberly
and Billy Sparks.
The ninth and last girl was mono 9TH
er than the minister's daughter her
self. On the table by her side lay a
collection box holding over 5000. the
proceeds of this unusual traffic. Per
haps the consciousness that she had
succeeded, that those poor little tots
would get their outing, was enough to
make her oblivious of herself.
At any ratio she was calm and beau
tifully collected as she stepped on the
chair, disdaining the helping hand that
a spectator held out to her.
Ladies' and gentlemen" she said,
with your kind permission l will be
my own auctioneer, and 1 will spare
you the usual compliments. I nm here
to raise all the money can for the
poor children, and ana selling u kiss
to the highest bidder. How much am
l offered9"
twenty-five dollars"
1.-THE first bid, ladies' and gentlemen,
Ia S25. VIII you make 1t thirty Thir
ty IL Is, thirty, thirty thlrty-flve. Is
thirtyFfye the highest bid?'
The tall innocent youth now stepped
to the front. 1t Is but justice to the
boys from the club to shy they did not
recognize him.
"I'll make 1t forty" he said.
The auctloneer was unmoyed.
"I' am offered S40," she said. Gen.
tlemen, bid up. Forty, forty, forty,
going at going, going, gone.
Young man, the kiss Is yours at $40"
There.was slight pause, II flutter of
interest. This nice looking gentleman
ly appearing boy. with $40 to bid for u
single kiss, who was her At any ratio It
didn't matter much. He was only
boy.
"What relief" whispered one Of
the committee. ito think her reputation
has been saved by Il young thing Hike
that! Why, Il doesn't mean anything TO
be kissed by him. An act of Provi-
dence. verify believer'
Almost as IL In reply the boy turned
half around rs the figure of Mike Dady
slowly forced Its way through the cir
Gle.
II WAS bidding FOR some ono else"
said the boy, holding out the money.
Yes" said Mike, his cool, iusolent
eyes sweeping the crowd. "Hc. was
bidding for me. He was my-whut do
you Gull lt2proxy, I'll take the kiss, If
you please"
A dead silence-nn awful pause.
For the first time that evening flush
spread over tho face OF the minister's
daughter, flush that made It's way.
from her firmly rounded throat up over
her cheeks to tho line OF fair hair on
her forehead.
She looked around the crowd almost
appealingly. Was there no one to help
her In this dilemma Suddenly her eye
llghted ON II figure that stood half con-
cealed from ylew-a short, squat figure
and there came to her voice ring OF
triumph.
you shall DO paid" she said. "Tho
money, please"
1t was handed to her, and she put
the bills In box
Then she turned to the figure she
had semitic old family colored cook.
black rs the acc of spades. who had
come to witness ode proceedin's."
Come here, nanny" sho whispered,
and, drawing her close and putting her
arms around her, she kissed the black
face n resembling smack.
Then she turned to the gambler
And here" she said, is my proxy.
Take yorr pay, sir!'-Tom Mason IN
Brandur Magazine.