The Bossier banner., 1904-03-10
HeCourtship
Of Bubbles "
Tale Of One Devoted to His Profession


IvI porter for the Daily Steam Whis-
tie, had never had anything to say in
praise Of poets. He, a practical newspa-
per man, who sees things as they are,
and then simply photographs with his
pen. SO to speak, has no use for poetical
eoloring.
But since the affair with Dora Potter
he absolutely hates poets. For the poet
Crane is to blame for the whole misfor-
tune, according to Bubbles view.
It began in a most harmless way, just
like the Chicago fire and other disas-
ters On one of those moist, sticky, sum-
mer days Bubbles was sitting in the res
taurant of Mayer & Mayer devouring his
luncheon. l purposely do not say he
ate his lunch. He did not eat, but de-
voured, because he was always afraid
that something might be happening
somewhere without his knowing 1t.
"Ah, Bubbles, how are you?" said a
voice suddenly. will you allow me-"
and Crane, the poet, seated himself
without more ado at the same table.
He had just received ten dollars for
poem, and thought he would celebrate.
"You are in bad spirits, my dear Bub-
bles."
Heavens, yes. The change of wealth
er, and nothing doing, nothing at ALL"
why don't you go into the country.
old fellow? Take two weeks vacation
and come with me- am going to
Mamaronegg, in the Schanzung noun
tains. Oh, you ought to see it,"
And between the chicken and the
stewed pears he pictured the delights of
Mamaronegg as only poet could. Bub-
bles could really hear the trees rustling
and the birds singing, and he smelled
the spicy mountain air.
Il guess you are right" said Bubbles,
as he stirred his coffee and collected his
strength. We'll, l will get leave of alb
sence and 60 with you. We can drive to-
gether, row, fish, only don't ask me to
write poetry. draw the line at thai" !"
The business manager Of the Daily
Steam Whistle granted Bubbles The de-
sired vacation with pleasure. Two days
after, the poet and the reporter were in
Mamaronegg sitting in little snow
white hotel with green window blinds
and red roof There were only few
people in the hotel, among them a young
lady. Dora Potter, small but spirited
widow of some 20 summers, who was
always smiling and working on a silk
necktie for some unmarried gentleman.
That was her delight.
When Crane and Bubbles had regis
tered their names in the front room,
the ardent Dora appeared and looked to
zee what their names were, where they
came from, and what they were. She
suspected she might put both young men
on the necktie list.
Literary men!" she murmured. de-
lighted. "Charming!" She had a
weakness for such people.
They appeared hugely interesting to
her, for they wrote of love. And was
that indeed Bubbles, of the Daily Steam
Whistle. the famous Bubbles, who had
accomplished unheard-of journalistic
feats? Who had been hanson driver
for two weeks in order to describe his ex-
periences with his patrons? Who asked
the Vanderbilts for sleeping room ahd
breakfast, whereupon they put him In
the lunatic asylum, the life and work
ings of which he described? Who served
Paderewski in the hotel as a waiter. and
published most witty account of it!
Yes, it was he. This little man with
the red hair and the freckles was the
great Bubbles.
From now on she had only one desire
to know the man and to make him a silk
necktie. The opportunity to become ac-
quainted offered itself the next morning
when he went out to the veranda.
The next day he invited her with Crane
to take walk, and on the third day she
began necktie for him. Crane was
quite enthusiastic about Dora. While
she was making the tie for Bubbles
Crane was composing poem about he1
in which he extolled her as Venus of the
necktie.
Bubbles" said he, as they were walk.
ing through the quiet village one even.
ing. Bubbles, 60 ahead! The deuce!
such a fine woman, and money, too;
$4,000 a year income to live on! She tolt
me that in strictest confidence"
''Folly!" replied Bubbles. Il marry!'
but he smiled as he said 1t.
Bubbles went ahead on a shimmering
fragrant, moonlight night. The bull
frogs were singing on the banks, ant
the. notes of "'Way down upon tn.
Suwanee river" fioated down from 6
hotel where troupe Of minstrels wer,
singing.
Dora sat in the boat looking at Bub.
bles and smiling. In the moonlight she
was bewitching. 1t was too much fol
Bubbles. When they had returned t.
the hotel and Bubbles was on the way tt
his room he met Crane.
"I have gone and done it," said Bub
bles.
"Ah, congratulate you, my dear boy,
replied Crane. And you will let me din,
with you every Sunday later, will 20,
not?"
She has made one condition. mus
Immediately give up my position on tn,
newspaper. am to look for something