Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-11-19
A MODERN TALUS R R
By saRs. J. R. MURRAY

TT HE girls had come in from their
 suburban home for q days shop ping in the great city. and having satis- factorily finished their errands, found themselves with an hour of leisure on their hands before train time. Their names were Alice Burton and Helen Gray, aged, respectively, 16 and IT, and they were full of abounding spirits, and one of them at least was characterized by all the thoughtlessness of youth. The brother of Alice accompanied them.
 As they were leaving one of the great department stores they paused to admire a wonderful display of fine brasses re- gently imported. The merchants were advertising their wares in many ways, and had procured the services of the Modern Talus, the Man of Brass" as being particularly representative. The brass man was seated upon platform in front of the store He was young fellow of about 20, and was entirely GOV cred with a material closely resembling brass. His motions were slow and me- chanical, as he initiated the movements of figure run by machinery. It was really wonderful; not an eyelid quiv- cred
 "How does he manage it?" exclaimed Alice
 T don't believe he's real, said Helen.
 "I'll bet you pound of candy that can make him laugh" said Alice, in spirit of mischief t2
 "Oh, don't,s' Helen remonstrated Somebody will see you"
 Nobody in this crowd knows me, and, besides, I'll be very careful. I'm simply dying to try it.' g
 T think we had better go on. What would your mother think, and Tom ?'' pru- dent Helen said, warningly.
 "0h, Tom! He never wants me to do anything. See he's looking at us now, so here goes," and thereupon Alice made face" of the most hideous and laughter-inspiring kind.
 The brass man was firm; the mechan- teal movement continued not a mus cle of his face twitched.
 Now we must go on," Helen urged, annoyed and worried, and earnestly wishing she had not come to town with thoughtless Alice
 "Just once more!s' and again Alice contorted her features in hideous grimace. The effect was the same, so she hurried on to join her friend who had already started,
 Not 8 soul saw me, and you see it didn't make bit of difference; besides. it was such fun," remarked Alice, laugh ing gleeful1y
 I'm afraid don't see anything very funny about 1t, and we must hurry on home,' Helen replied
 The girls reached their homes in safety, and possibly the incident would have passed from their minds had not Alice on the following afternoon received a missive that set her heart beating wildly. It was written on very s1oud'' stationery. in g .'fiourishy" hand, and ran thus:
 If the pretty young lady who so kindly noticed the young gent who was representing the Modern Talus' on State street, Thursday afternoon, at about two D. m., will kindly appoint meeting anywhere, and at any time, the young gent will endeavor to con- vince her that he has not at least a heart of brass nor eyes of brass. He ad- mired the dear young miss greatly, anC only the exigencies of business pre- vented him from responding to her evil dent encouragement Indeed, he would have lost his job if he had given way to the mirth her exceedingly amusing grimaces caused him. However, he will explain all when he sees her.
 Address MT. Ralph Montmorency Percy, General Delivery, Chicago, II. 7
 A sickening feeling came over Alice, her head swam. What should she do? The first thing to Go was to see Helen. "Oh! that I had listened! to her gqod advice she walled
 Helen received her news gravely, fully realizing that this bright and lovable girl needed lesson, but she did not say nor act T told you so." She listened to the torrent of idle regrets" for awhile, and then said. The strangest part of the whole thing, and the part that worries me most, is how he found out your address Burn this note right now, and keep in de middle ob de road;;' be sure to go in before dark, and be very, very careful-and I'll stand by you, old girl, if you are naughty.
 Then Alice sobbed her heart out in Heien's lap. and felt much injurec-and rather important Several days passed. during which Alice was sucn modei of propriety, goodness and thoughtful- ness, that the family became alarmed. Her mother snxiously tnouired if she