Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-02-11
SILLY
By N. L. AJory
Cassrsa. Esss. b. ne
s S. Ncc7urx Cc-nany

silly $50 easy do even names 20 20
the dogs, you know" she explained TO
Dick
There were some people in the VII
lage who did not hesitate to say tbst
silly herself would go TO the dogs"
some day. she had such '-shiftiess
ways She preferred to wear plain
clothes rather than spend time indoors
on needlework. She could not be
counted on for the sewing circle nor
dragged to the debating society. More
over. she was not as fond Of going to
church and Sunday school as she
might have been.
1T FITS me. Dicxr' she cried, her
face. pink and white as their petals,
framed In bo0gh OF apple blossoms.
Her eyes were as blue as foFgetme-
nots. and her hair was Ike the golden
tassels of the corn The name tits.
haven't any sense. you know"
That's one of your attractions"
drawled Dick. When a woman hasn't
any sense. it's really a drawing card
in these days She's novelty. you
know. Women are 50 awfully wise
and clever that they put q fellow to
the blush"
They were sitting on the green grass
within q fragrant bower OF pearl and
rose. Something Ike dewdrups gath
cred In the girfs forEetmenot eyes.
What's the matter. sweetheart"
Dick, IT'S the name and the fitness
OF the name II seems 30 absurd to
care sbou. IT, But I do. When l was
little, It seems 10 me they might have
cared enough about me to let me keep
the sweet name my mother gave me.
suppose they thought 1t was a waste
Of time on me to say Priscilla II
had been their own child. they'd never
have called me silly. And to think It'll
stick to me all my iifew
III II were your last name, now"
said Dick. II could change it for you"
Don't be silly.-
You're that when you laugh at my
Ioveulakfng. It's poor. but honest"
Dick. do you think. like sill the rest,
that sensible talk is wasted on me? Do
you. Dickf Oh. what would | not give
to be wise. clever woman with dig
nified name. Nobody In the world viii
ever take me seriously as long as l am
called Siilyr'
"I'H take you seriously If you'll let
me; take you and never let you 60"
Dick, would you be wiliing-you, a
varsity man-to have a wife called
Sillyf You wouldn't! can see 1t In
your eyes. Oh, to do something very
wise and learned! I'd die happyr'
For heavens sake" cried Dick In
alarm, don't do anything wise and
learnedr'
'-She never has serious thought.
that girl" her aunt remarked. If her
name don't fit her TO a TT
She was coming up the walk. her
arms full OF apple blossoms. her hat
dangling at her side, singing one of the
ragtime tunes with which she scandal
lied the town
"She do seem to be light headed" OBJ
served her uncle. Samuel Morris. But.
then. she's good hearted thing"
She could not remember her parents.
They had died when she was SO little.
She seemed TO be a sort OF accident In
her uncle and aunt's family, a rather
burdensome and unpleasant one, which
by Gods grace they must put up with.
They lived in an old. old house on the
outskirts Of a quaint. rambling old viii
iage. Ii was set about with orchards
where many birds loved to nest Silly,
when she might have been embroider
ing herself petticoat. making a crazy
quilt or doing some other sensible
thing. preferred to stay out in the or
chards with the birds.
Mr. Samuel Morris dreamed that
burglar was pressing a pillow down
over his face. He tried to cry out, but
could not He heard a great banging
at the door and voice calling:
Uncle. uncler'
SOMEBODY is killing poor Silly" he
thought. but he could not move.
Then some one was pulling him out
Of bed There were smoke and CLEAN
Of shooting flames. Something wet was
slapped over his face. He was being
dragged over the floor and down the
steps by one who painted hard. A voice
-Silly's-was screaming:
Help me save uncle. Somebody go
back for aunt. | couldn't find herr
mo use" voices cried back. Come
out quick! The house is about to fall
inr'
'T'Il save her or I'll die trying. Take
uncIer'
They told him afterward, the few
neighbors who had seen the fire after
it was well under way and had come to
help IL they could. that as she went
back the steps fell down behind her.
She had jerked the wet blanket from
around him and thrown it about her
self.
How she found her aunt in that
smoke filed house. with the roar and
singing Of the flames In her ears, the
fash Of fire in her eyes. she never