Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-01-18
THE FIRENAN'S
Il ...WOOING

Tho story ofa Cirl Who
Chose Not Wisely


the boast OF the proprietor that he bad
the handsomest lot OF Mattresses on
the road. and the queen Of the collec-
s,on was Fanny Mccain. That's how
she happened to De head waitress. Tor
she could not know much OF the busl-
ness. She had come TO the place part
ly because her widowed mother was
poor and partly TO crafty consuming
desire 10 pose as the prettiest g'ri
there. for she had been consulting her
mirror.
The fireman frowned. but took seat
next 10 the proprietor Of the Mint Ju'
len. The hrcman's face, newly wash
ed and hardly rubbed. glistened 10 the
glare OF the electric light and the
same light played upon the jewcied
hands and immaculate shirt front OF
the Julcp man. The fireman bowed
eoldly. and the other. feeling a certain
superiorlty IN the matter of dress ana
personal appearance. smiled
The head waitress. taking a position
n, one OF the windows. stood looking
nj the two men. both OF whom had
made love 20 her. She bad purposely
seated them SO as 90 get their faces IN
one frame. as Il were. for she had been
unable 10 orsakr one and clcaye 10
the other. She respected the fireman
she had loved him once and had AZ
knowiedged II 10 him-but she was
dazzlod by the handsome. wen groom
cd p,oprletor OF the Mint Julep once
ar twice the fireman yentured TO look
mn. but each time he saw her gazing
unon his rival. and his heart was filed
with dread.
aWhat time shall callT" he asked
"A Fanny handed him his ticket.
"Not before o. detest being first Ia
a ballroom"
"suppose we say s:3Ol It win be o
nv the time we reach the hall"
~Nlne." said Fanny. nodding at the
Juleo man as he passed out. with his
chlnchnla thrown gracefully over us
shoulders.
"But I'm on the reception commit
tee"
"Then 90 and 'recep' and come back
for me. | shan't leave the house oe'
fore o. Ny. how gay you are"
The fireman went out with n heavy
heart Fanny was getting on. She
had not used such language TO him be
fore. and II cut him TO the quick. He
remembered how he had begged her TO
keen out OF the eating house and tried
TO hint TO her mother that the place
was full OF lures.
:. 'Tfs only n short step 10 the diree'
zion OF danger" he said. "A pubic
dinner room, camp meeting. the skat'
ing rink. and -,
.stop.' said Fanny's mother. u VIII
not have you hint even that fahny u
capable OF being bad"
And so the fireman had been power
less TO prevent the pure young CIR
from putting herself In this position.
Promptly at o'clock he called foI
Fanny. She would be out In mo
mcnt. her mother said.
During the half hour In which D.
waited Tor the expiration Of a won
ms "moment" the fireman noticed
number OF new pieces OF furniture
also be noticed that Fanny's moths
was n little reserved. Fanny herself
while amply deliberate. was irritaDl
and nervous. Conversation seemed
20 slowly with them. Ike hea'
train on an Ut grade.
when they entered the ballroom u
addlers were already adding. ana the
fell in line for the opening wal
round.
over in one end OF the hall there WI
n hank OF plants and ferns loaned
leading citizens for the fremens a
nual ball. and Just In front OF the oas
stood the Julep man, Immaculate
ever and wearing the only eNenu
dress suit in the room.
He was radiant and all the more
by comparison. for not few OF I
respectable suits worn by the hrem'
and their friends were beginning
take on that unmlstakable SHINE u
comes with age.
"Ou, lkuAes tANie'ANN
slime 10 her husband. what beau
full young lady! who is she"
"she ees not what you say-a lac
She Is waitress from zee eating hous'
"And who IL the handsome gent
man writing on her cardP
.He ees not one gentleman, my de
He ees re proprietor Of ~ Mint 'ulel
Now Mrs. wolfstlne maFye!ed u
this man should be there dancing -"
the daughters Of the best families
the growing western town. But "
should ne not be there? Every u
man on the division had sold or IT
10 sell him ticket for the annual %
The fireman was surprised upon I
ing Fanny's card 10 find that bis IL
had already written upon It.
A half an hour later he took the c
again 10 select number and found
face OF IL black with "Julep' Ju
Julep."
This man had been called py
name 30 much that he had come TO
sw,r 10 Il and write Il. Indeed