Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-19

| mansions of a scaffold pole. 1t was
not heavy, but seemed such an enorm.
GUS length, that l was almost afraid to
| lift it out Of the water for fear OF
knocking hole in the sky.
Having at length got it we'll In hand
selected with critical eye suita'
BILE piece of water to drop it in. and
then gently leaned upon the pole as
remembered Jane to have done. II
would have been al right but for the
fact that when my weight fell on thu
| pole it was still an inch or two off tho
bottom.
By a marvellous feat of equilibrium
| l retained my position in the punt
but the shock that resulted from my
little error nearly dislocated every
bone in my body. and completely shat
tered my nerve.
Never push until the pole has
touched botom," Jane observed ora
cularly.
81 see it is not advisable" re.
| piled when l had partially recovered.
Bracing myself l made another at
tempt, this time with partial success.
| for the punt moved with some speed.
| though it swerved. out from the bank
.2l the most astonishing manner
Put your pole straight down. lit
| tie under the punt il possible, AMI
lean right out Oh the pule," Jane di
rected.
l attempted this involved piece OF
work, and as a result escaped a duck.
ing by a hairs breadth. The pole
suddenly became alive and tried with
den.oniac fury to drag me over the
side.
sat down and mopped my brow.
"Try again. said Jane.
But here strongly objected.
IF lean on the pole and push !
shall be in the water in two seconds
Nonsense; besides, you can SWIM"
said Jane.
felt this to be Nnfeeling.
"Well. l have no present intention
of taking a bath. and I absolutely de-
cline to take header into the river
for your delectation." l fear l spoke
with some heat.
'There. now, you are getting in a
temper said Jane, in sort of more
in sorrow than in anger" tone. II al
ways think it shows an awfully weak
sort of mind-lack of restraint and
will power, and all that, You know
to get into temper over trifles."
But the river isn't trifle, and it's
wet" said l.
Don't talk! Go on punting!"
obeyed.
All went well for while, and I was
beginning to feel mighty pleased with
myself, and to put frills ON my per
Torrance, SO to speak, when of sud.
den my pole became fixed to the bot
tom, and as l held it in a frenZied
grip, brought me violently on to my
knees in such a manner as to scrapt
all the skin off my shins!
That was mud" said Jane, casually.
"Oh! mud, was it? thought it was
the end of the world" / laughed
loud and long, though l did not fee!
at all merry.
Il t;aink.'' said Jane, II had better
take the punt back"
at would be as well, if you ever
wish to return" said l.
So Jane took the pole, and we began
to glide along with maddening ease.
You see how easy it is" she said.
Now, Jane, don't l have suffered
enough. 1t is not necessary to rub salt
into my wounds. Be quiet, and let me
get into fit state to propose
Jane gazed vacantly at the land
scape, and as we slowly sped by wood
and meadow 1 grew calm and con.
templative.
In few minutes felt had arrived
at the right frame of mind.
Jane was very lazily punting down
stream.
began in the most impressive man
ner: Jane" said, Il have proposed
to you twenty times befOre"-("twen:
ty-one!" she murmured reflectively t.
the sky land you have been so mis-
guided as to refuse me. Still. do not
despair OF your ultimate recognition
OF what is best Cor you. Now"
NO good. Too prosy." said Jane,
and put me right off the track of what
l was going to say next. But l am
man of strong character and not easily
discouraged. began again.
Jane, it is not similarity of dispo
sition in husband and wife, but rather
the reverse, that makes married life
success. Therefore think we should
be happy together, with my strength
of character, answering rectitude and
solid habit Of thinking. Do not think
l am disposed to be too hard on your
flippant way OF looking at things when
l say"
'Time.." said Jane in most vulgar
manner.
l was distinctly annoyed. l have a.,
idea should have said something dis
tinctly good but for he interruption.
"Oh, hang it," said I, and wanted
to shout. will you marry me?"
Eyes," said Jane, Il think I'll try"
Sidney Allnutt, IN Black and White.
An ArtfuI Beggar.