The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-11-19
HOW JAMES POPPED.
He Never Would Have Summoned Up
Courage If "Jim" Hadn't
Helped Him Out.

Polly Jones had done up the mornings
work, washed the dishes, strained the
milk, made the beds, tidied up the rooms
in general, peeled the potatoes for din
ner and set the table, covering it with
spotless white spread. Then she bathed
her flushed face, combed her ringlets,
changed her dress for one more becom-
ing, and finally sat down to breath awhile
before beginning the dinner. In that
household meals must be on time and
dinner was invariably at II, writes Fan
ME E. Turner, in Prairie Farmers Home
Magazine.
She made pretty picture as she sat
at the window facing the street. Present
ly footstep she knew quite well came
tramping by. When the gentleman was
opposite her window, he lifted his hat
with an admiring smile and passed on.
At that moment he heard Miss Pollys
voice call: Come back, Jim, come back
Jim" He turned willingly and came
quickly up the steps. He was met at the
door by Polly all bushes and confusion,
who informed him it was the parrot
Jim and not herself who had been so
impudent. James went away rather dis
appointed, telling Polly he would return
some day when Jim" was asleep
Polly's parents were dead She lived
with her Uncle Hiram Janaker. The
family consisted of himself, his wife,
Mary Ann, Polly, maltese cat named
Bob, and parrot who answered to the
name of Jim.
Now, Jim was bird" in more ways
than one. One night he overheard Polly
and her admirer, James Bascome, con-
versing in the hall, and the only thing
that impressed him most was: Come
back, Jim"
After that, If he caught glimpse Of
James in the street, he never failed to
call in voice very much resembling
Polly's: Come back, jim" until the
gentleman would stop. James could
never tell who was talking, for the bird
mimicked Polly's voice to perfection.
James Bascome loved Polly, but could
never muster up courage to PROFOUND the
momentous question that was always at
his tongues end, when he looked into
her eyes; when he would go away kicking
himself for a silly coward.
One evening James dropped in as usu-
al. He had determined to ask Polly that
very night to become his wife. But every
time he started the conversation in that
direction, Polly would branch of on
some other subject.
Presently she left the room moment,
when James, thinking aloud, said: 81
love you, Polly, will you be my wife,"
When Polly returned and the CONVEX
sation was renewed, they were suddenly
startled by hearing the words: II love
you, Polly, will you be my wifeT"
Come back, Jim, come back Jim, GO
way back and sit down" ''Ha, ha, ha,
ha," screamed Jim at the top of his voice
from his perch in the corner.
Polly was blushing like a rose, while
James looked as though he would like to
''go way back and sit down"
Polly flew to the parrot, and would
have whipped him soundly, but James
caught her hands, exclaiming: 1T is my
fault, Polly, punish me; it is true! l do
love you, Polly, will you be my wife?"
After the ice was broken and the mo-
mentous question asked, it was not so
difficult to tell the rest of the old, old,
story to willing ears, whilst jim from
his corner looked wisely on.
And when things were settled to the
satisfaction of all concerned and the
compact was sealed with kiss, from the
corner hoarse voice screamed: 'Ha,
ha, ha! Come back, Jim. love you,
Polly, will you be my wife? Go way back
and sit down. Ha, ha-" But Polly es-
capped from James embrace and drove
Jim from the room.