The Newark journal., 1903-04-10
HOW HEZEkIAH WON.

0dS lar ifptH HdHpNs TOT iates as q dfaNpdth 10 these advantages, mad made him the most Dashful man n that part Of the state. This was unfortunate, as he was madly in love with pretty Irene Evans There was to be huskinF bee al the Corners the next week and, as every one knows, If you have the good luck to find red ear of corn at a husk- ing bee you have the privilege of kissing the grl of your choice. In fact, custom demands one should, no matter how bashful he may be Even the thought of the soon coming husking bee didn't comfort Hezekiah much
 .If could get red ear lie unused, .it would sort of hearten ne up, and 1 might speak to Irene. But l never have no luck at buskn' bees
 Dave Ferguson, drummer, was equally lacking in world $ goods and in bashfuIncss An unfortunate run of luck al poLer the night before had broken Dave, and he was now sitting in his room in the country hotel looking at his samples of fine assorted paints.
 If 1 telegraph the firm for coin, mused Dave, they'll think there's something wrong. But somehow must raise the funds to pay my biI and get to the next town"
 He left the hotel and wandered out on the street. considering ways and means of rais. ing money. Near the entrance 10 the hotel he heard two ol the natives of Jenkins Corners discussing the coming husking bee Dave remembered the tradition concerning the red ears of corn. Suddenly the thought flashed into his mind that the paint in one ot his samples was almost the color of a red ear of corn. Why not2 Yes, 1t could be done. An hour later, with some samples of red ears in his pocket which would have deceived an expert, Dave Ferguson was walking into the country He had decided that It would be easier to dispose of his goods on the neighboring farms
 T can't lose, sohloquzed Dave And l think there ought to be gold mine in it. .
 The first farm Dave reached was that of Hezekiah Graham. With an air of profound mystery Dave led Hezekiah back of the barn and exhibited his samples In the whole state Dave could not have found more will ing epstomer-after he had explained how the fraud on Cupid could be worked
 Its as easy as falling down, said Dave. w hen you go te the crib to get your supply of corn just slip these red ears in the pile Then, after little, you come on them, as If It was an accident Then it's you to the girl of your choice, and everybody happy"
 What's the priee:' inquired Hezekiah.
 The red ears and the paint combined had pf0HdbI9 cost DdNt dbguL bdiI d cent lleEts But he noticed the eagerness in his custom er.s tones. And Dave was a shrewd sales. man.
 Two and half apiece, he replied glibly
 "I'll take four. sad Hezekiah. without hesitation, handing Sl0 bill over to Dave Then, as Dave was turning away, a be wilderng brilliant idea struck Hezekiah There had been corners in wheat and stocks Why should there not be one III red ears:
 How many of these ears have you got lefts3 he called after Dave.
 The interruptions Dave had only two, but he was teo shreWd to say 50. Instead he promptly replied
 -Four dozen7
 Hezekiah gasped. Four dozen red ears at S2.50 apiece was Sl20, in addition to the 4l0 he had already spent. But Irene was pretty girl, and such chance would never come again.
 ..I.l take them all, he answered with d promptness which did credit to the strength of his feeling for Irene. .0f course. 1t : uH- derstood that you won i sell any b the other fellow?a
 ..Sure thing, answered Dave, equally as touished and delighted at the magnitude of the order. So you re going to corner the supply: You certainly have the true sport ing blood. III bring them out this afternoon and get the money for them. 8
 Until late that afternoon Dave was kept busy changing ordinary ears of corn to ones of the much-deslred color. Then he drove out To Hezekiah farm, delivered the goods and received his money An hour later he had pad his hotel bill and was on his way to the next town.
 That's easier and more profitable than trading gold bricks for diamonds he ob- served to himself as the tram drew out of Jenkins Corners. But III bet at that the 1 Rube gets his moneys worth Hezeliah did. While Jenkins Corners lasts the memory of that huskIng bee will never be forgotten. In his anxiety lest hls fraud be detected, If he made too many at tempts to introduce the painted red ears. Iezekiah emptied two dozen into the first supply ot corn he took from the crib. The i crIb stood Tn a dark corner of the barn, his deeeitfu maneuyer was not discovered. \ few minutes later he unhusked the ear. Pretty hene Evans was sitting near him. lt was the first time Hezeklah had found red ear at husking bee. He felt certain that the results of that one red ear were worth more than the price he paid for the whole supply. But that was only the begin ming of bliss.
 Irene al first seemed vexed but every body was too good natured for her vexation to be i long hsed And in the bottom of her heart 1 Irene was very fond of HezeBlah The only person who seemed really put out was Tom Atwood, a rival ot Hezek iah s for he favor of Irene And Tom Well, Tom was out i of the running that night. Who could stand against Q man who had coruered the avail able red ear supply When the end of the evening came Hezekiah felt that he bad had the most enjoyable tune of his life. He still 1 mad D of Dave Ferguson $ red ears left. But they would probably come in well on an. other occasion. Even ii they didn't Heze- kiah dId not regret his investment in the least.
 Hezekiah walked home with Irene from the husking bee. He found that his bash iulness to a great degree vanished. Probably 1 the finding of 24 red ears at one husking bee is one of the best cures for bashfulness that i can be found. Irene was at first inclined to l be a little angry Hezekiah had enjoyed too many privileges for one man in one evening. But by the time they reached her house dis content of spirit vanished. Possibly when they parted at the gate Hezekiah found that he had another red ear in his pocket.
 It was some time after that famous husk. ing bee that Hezekiah gained courage to tell Irene of the deceit he had been guilty of. Irene was nightly indignant. At least she seemed to be-
 But just couldn't help it, pleaded Heze. kiah. When that fellow came along and l thought of the scheme. and of you
 It was very wrong and deeetful, in. terrupted Irene in severe tones. The idea of your pleading you were so bashful and