The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-09

my weight fell on the pole it was still an
inch or two off the bottom.
BY a marvellous feat of equilibrium
retained my position in the punt. but
the shock that resulted from my little
error nearly dislocated every bone in
my body, and completely shattered my
nerve.
Never push until the pole has touch
ed bottom Jane observed oracularly.
Il see it is not advisable" replied
when I had partially recovered.
Bracing myself I made another at
tempt, this time with partial success,
for the punt moved with some speed
though it swerved out from the bank
in the most astonishing manner.
Put your pole straight down, little
under the punt if possible, and lean
right out on the pole, Jane directed. !.
/ attempted this involved piece of
work. and as a result ESCAPED duck
ing by a hairs breadth. The pole sud-
denly became alive and tried with de-
moniac fury to drag me over the side.
1 sat down and mopped nay brow.
TRY again." said Jane.
But here 1 strongly objected.
IF 1 lean on the pole and push l
shall be in the water in two seconds"
Nonsense: besides, you can swim, -
said lane.
I felt this to be unfeeling.
We'll, l have no present intention of
taking a bath. and l absolutely decline
to take a header into the river for
SONA oS@t7(tGAAOA4- 4Ce1A SROfAC Will
some heat.
There. now, you are getting in a
temper. said Jane. in a sort of more
In sorrow than in anger tone. 81 all
sort of mind-laek of restraint and will
power. and all that. you know-to get
into temper over tri1es.'
But the river isn't a trifie. and it's
welt" said I.
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 perform
ance, so to speak when of a sudden my
pole became fixed to the bottom. and as
held it in a frenzied grip, brought me
violently on to my knees in such man
ner as to scrape all the skin off my
shins!
"That was mud" said Jane. casually.
"Ohi mud, was it? 1 thought 1t was
the end of the wor1di' I laughed loud
and long, though I did not feel at all
merry.
Il think said Jane, ct had better
take the punt back"
1T would be as we'll, 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! I have suffered
enough. 1t is not necessary to rub salt
into my wounds Be quiet, and let me
get into a fit state to proposei"
Jane gazed vacantly at the landscape
and as we slowly sped by the wood and
meadow L grew calm and contempla-
tive.
In a few minutes I felt-I had arrived
at the right frame of mind.
Jane was very lazily Dunting down
stream.
I began in the most impressive man
ner: Jane" I said, 'T have proposed
to you twenty times before'-C twenty
onei" she nurmured reflectively to the
sky)-"and YOU have been SO mlsgu1d-
ed as to refuse me. Still I do not de-
spair of your ultimate recognition of
what is best for you. Now"
mo goodl Too prosy," said Jane,
and put me right off the track of what
was going to say next But am a
discouraged. I began again.
'.1ane. it is not a similarity of dispo-
sitions in husband and wife, but rather
the reverse. that makes married life a
success. Therefore l think we should
be happy together. with my strength
of character, answering rectitude and
solid habit of thinking Do not think
I am DISPOSED to be too hard on your
fiippant way of looking at things when
1 saw"
''Timeg' said Jane in a most vulgar
manner.
was distinctly anrEsyed. I have an
idea I should have said something dis
I tinctlv good but for her interruption.
"oh. hang itr' said I, and I wanted
to shout. ''Will you marry me?"
YES" said Jane. "I think I'll tryr'-
Sidney Allnut in Black and White.