The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-04-23

huttering about Us like a pink SNOW
storm.
Roses" said looking at Tho empty
stalks significantly, 'ara 50 apt TO fade
and witho-."
"And potatoes replied Polly. "get
hard and Old and kcotty ard develop
eyes"
That's So" said I. ''and it isn't wei.
FOR woman to have too many eyes
"BeSides.' said Polly. gathering up
the fallen leaves and putting them ana
tie stalks in 4 little pile. "a rose has a
heart" .
50 has potato I remarked.
But you have to dig through so
much exterior to find ii" declared
Polly. "-And the average man is too
lazy to dig. He wants the good things
iii life's iepast SET out on bis plate rot
hidden under it,
And yet" said I. discovering the
heart in woman who doesn't wear
hers on the surface. and who seems
cold ard unfathomable. is like diScov
cring a birthday gift under your plate
in the morning. The surprise is very
sweet"
Perhaps" said Polly. meditatively.
holding rose against her cheek. so
that you couldn't tell which was
which. but how many men are going
to hunt for the surprise? Nine times
out Of ten the poor little potatoes viz
tues remain hidden to the end of her
days. when she is left on the matri-
monial kitchen shelf along with the
onions and the cabbages. A woman
and Polly put the last rose in the
epergne and stood off to admire the
effect. like a rose. is meant to be or
II she can be useful. too
so much the better. but it isn't abSo-
lutely necessary. There are so many
potatoes in the world-twenty to every
rose. Why, look at the wOman's clubs;
they are full Of potatoes. nice. solid.
lseful ladies. who make the world good
and intellectual and stupid and unin-
teresting Look at the reform organi
cations and the working girls unions:
potatoes! potatoes. nothing but pota
toes. But when man wants a wife
ne doesn't apply to the intelligence
office nor to the secretary Of the reform
club. He doesn't go about searching
for a nice. hard potato in short skirts.
eyeglasses and boots. He doesn't ask
. woman if she can make good pie
,vc,fr. 0.,I on1- hot
won't be knotty-not nowadays. at any
ate. He just goes blindfolded into
'allroom or pink tea. or a fancy dress
'air and walks out idiotically happy
With a rose in his mental buttonhole.
Of course, his theories are different,
and"
couch" I cried suddenly.
Polly turned with startled inquiry |
n her eyes.
Its a thorn" I said. nursing my |
niger. but looking at Polly with side
ong significance. "Roses seem to have |
horns. don't they:'
''Of course" said Polly. "and pudding |
las spice. They are as necessary as |
he sauce on the meat. or the pepper !
II the potatoes. A little twinge now !
nd then does man good, and re-
leves the flatness of things A little |
.efect in a woman makes her perfec- I
ion more prominent. A little dent in
he chin accentuates the graceful |
urve, little dimple in her cheek |
makes you observe its roses. And you |
ever fully appreciate the sweetness |
f her smile until you have seen her
outing."
II Think" said, as Polly began pick
ng up the scraps and poking them into
little paper box. that I'd like po
ato with a rose growing on it.
"Of course said Polly. extracting a
ose from the jar and pinning it in
unch of curls over one ear. That's
vhat every man wants. They are all
Ike the baby who cried because he
ouldn't see both sides of the moon at
nce.'
Il wish" said, plaintively. "that you
put rose in your hair while
re are discussing a serious problem"
"Why?" said Polly. innocently.
Because" said I. ''it somehow re-
minds me of the lady who sent the
ink teacups-and, besides, it's dis
racting.'
Polly leaned over box and the rose
cstled down against her cheek.
''And dangerous" added.
Polly pulled potato out OF the box
nd held it up for my inspection.
"Shall l change it for this:" she
sked. sweetly.
Don't you dare" I cried.
Polly held the potato up against my
oat lapel and stood off to admire it.
Take it away" pleaded.
Polly dropped the potato into its
OK.
'.And now" sne said. shaking her
niger at me. will you ever again ma
gn the. lady who sent the roses and
he tea eups:''
Never" l declared.
Cor snub her if she should ever make
on sloppy coffee:'
Il don't understand said I.
'Or cry for meat and potatoes when
be gives you roses and kisses:"
'But. Polly--'''I began. I