The Monticellonian., 1903-04-09
HOW HEZEKIAH WON.

I
 was unfortunate, as he was madly in lov, with pretty Irene Evans fhere was to b, husking bee at the Corners the next week and, as every one knows, ii you have tn, | good luck to find a red ear of corn at husk ing bee you have the privilege of kissing tn, girl of your choice. In fact, custom demand: one should, no matter how bashful he may be. Even the thought of the soon coming husking bee didn't comfort Hezekiah much
 ''If 1 could get a red ear," he unused, '.it would sort Of hearten me up, and l might speak to Irene. But 1 never have no luck at huskin' bees
 Dave Ferguson, drummer, was equally lacking in world goods and in bashfulness An unfortunate run of luck at poLer the night before had broken Dave, ana he was now sitting in his room in the country hotel looking at his samples of fine assorted paints"
 ''lf l telegraph the firm for coln," unused Dave, they'll think there's something wrong. But somehow l must raise the funds to pay my bill 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 to the hotel he heard two of 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 of his samples was almost the color of a red ear of corn. Why not? Yes, it 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.
 ''I cant lose" soliloquzed 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 customer-after he had explained how the fraud on Cupid could be worked
 Its as easy as falling down" said Dave When you go to 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"
 Whats the price," inquired Hezekiah
 The red ears and the paint combined had probably cost Dave about half a cent apiece But he noticed the eagerness in his custom. CTS tones. And Dave was a shrewd sales man.
 Two and half apiece, he replied glibly.
 "I'll take four" said Hezekiah, without hesitation, handing a $10 bill over to Dave Then, as Dave was turning away, a be- wildering brilliant idea struck Hezekah There had been corners in wheat and stocks. Why should there not be one in red ears?
 "How many of these ears have you got lefty" he called after Dave.
 The interruptions Dave had only two, but he was too shrewd to say so. Instead he promptly replied
 Four dozeni'
 Hezekiah gasped. Four dozen red ears at S2.50 apiece was sl20, in addition to the $l0 he had already spent. But Irene was a pretty girl, and such chance would never come again.
 "Ill take them all,7 he answered with promptness which did credit to the strength derstood that you won't sell any to the other fellow?''
 Sure thing" answered Dave, equally as- tonished and delighted at the magnitude of the order. .'so you're going to corner the supply! You certainly have the true sport ing blood. I'll bring them out this afternoon and get the money for them"
 Until late that afternoon Dave was kept busy changing ordinary ears of corn to ones of the much=desired color. Then he drove out to Hezekiah's farm, delivered the goods and received his money. An hour later he had paid 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 train drew out of Jenkins Corners But I'll bet at that the Rube gets his moneys worth"
 Hezekiah did. While Jenkins Corners lasts the memory of that husking bee will never be forgotten. In his anxiety lest his fraud be detected, if he made too many at tempts to introduce the painted red ears, Hezekiah emptied two dozen into the first supply of corn he took from the crib. The crib stood in dark corner of the barn, so his deceitful maneuver was not discovered. A few minutes later he unhusked the ear. Pretty Irene Evans was sitting near him It was the first time Hezekiah had found a 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 at first seemed vexed, but everybody was too good -natured for her vexation to be long lived. And in the bottom of her heart Irene was very fond of Hezekiah The only person who seemed really put out was Tom Atwood, a rival of Hezek ah s for the favor of Irene. And Tom! We'll Tom was out of the running that night. Who could stand against a man who had cornered the avail evening came Hezekiah felt that he had had the most enjoyable time of his life. He still had 25 of Dave Ferguson's red ears left. But they would probably come in well on an- other occasion. Even if 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 fulness to great degree vanished. Probably the finding of 24 red ears at one husking bee Is one of the best cures for bashfulness that can be found. Irene was at first inclined to be 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 ,. | bx l z