Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-12-15
A Bachelors
Undoing o o
~ STELLA G. MITCHELL
Copyright, I'M, by Daily Story Pub. OIL

An, mere you ara at last, ana IN
prettiest girl he ever saw rushed VI
and thrust Z heavy bundle into hl
arms. ~.r ~,
There is only time to say, I'm gla'
to SEE you,' - as she raised on tipto'
and gave him fleeting kiss. then hur
ried away. w.. -.-@-r;
He stupidity watched her join thu
rush for the ferry and she was lost II
the crowd before he came to his senses
Then he thought Of the package ant
ran wildly after her, and was just IL
time to see the Christopher street boa
glide from the dock.
Amid the crowd on deck, he caught
glimpse Of fluttering veil and madly
waved the bundle over his head.
He fancied she waved her hand II
response, when there was a sudden up
heaval and the bundle came to life. A
kick in the chest and dig in the eye
notified him that the thing possessed
vigorous legs and arms.
His knees felt weak and he returned
to the waiting room and helplessly sat
down.
Could he be a victim to a new meth
cd of disposing OF superduous chill
dren? "But of course it is mistake, -
he thought, "and no doubt she will re-
turn by the next boat"
Meanwhile the child. now very wide
awake, was returning his critical stare
with interest HE seems satisfied.
Or she?" He wondered which.
The roguish eyes and ruddy curls
might belong to either and the blue
REFER and Tam O'Shanter cap failed to
enlighten him.
Papa, kiss Fwancfs"
"A boy" he decided, az he obeyed
the command, given with the air of
general. and received q very wet kiss
in return.
Papa bwing Fwancls somesing,"
with an artful side glance and a be-
witching display of dimples, calculated
to beguile him, while two fat little
hands rummaged his pockets.
He could no longer doubt. After five
years abroad in search of knowledge
he had returned to his native land to
stumble upon q scientific truth.
II coquetry. and tendency for in
vestigation were not born in woman,
she developed these traits at an early
ago.
One little kiss from a pretty woman
had turned the head Of this sensible,
stald old bachelor. He went of into
sentimental frances from which he was
awakened by plaintive sob.
The last pocket had been emptied.
The child's eyes filled with tears and
her lips trembled.
mo tardy! No tandy!" she walled
reproachfu1ly.
His heart sank. Plainly It was candy
she expected, candy she wanted and
candy she was going to have.
He looked helplessly about. Not
even a candy stand. or the usual boy
with his Bananas. apples, oranges.
candy and chewing gum"
Sobs were audible and tears were
falling fast. A storm was imminent,
when his eyes fell upon a blessed pen
ny slot machine.
The first piece Of Huyler's chocolate
arrested the sobs, the click Of the Sec
ond penny stayed the tears and
brought smiles. and the next, q clap of
the hands and gleeful CRY of can
nslzzer! Annuzzer!"
! When the machine had swallowed
the last penny they retreated to the
bench again, the man vowing to him
self that hereafter he should receive
change In pennies with cheerfulness.
Trains and ferries came and went.
He anxiously kept keen watch on all
the people passing, but she forwhom he
waited came not.
I. The stock Of chocolates was rapidly
diminishing, leaving unmistakable
traces on hands and face, to say moth
Ing of the mans coat sleeve The child
grew restless and he realized that
something must be done.
During the lull between trains, he
sought the ticket agent and explained
the difficulty.
He replied crustily: ITS my bust
ness to dispose Of tickets"
He sauntered to the bureau of iufor-
nation and proffered a cigar to the
man at the window.
After listening respectfully, he sug-
gested checking the child in the bag
gage room, adding alphabetically
that women were ever prone to forget
husbands, children and tho flight of
time in the joys of the bargain coun-
ter
Then he -waylaid a policeman, who
advised him to 60 home and "wait for
the missus there" He went into de-
tail, explaining how the child had been
thrust upon him.
The officer only winked and laughed
pretty good story. that Ho! no! ho!
Why, man, II yez must be told, she's
the living image of yourself"
Chucking the child under the chin.
he went OF, grinning good naturedly.
In despair, the man went back to his
seat He had thought nothing of tho
child calling him "papa," but II she
really looked like him!
He dismissed the plan Of going to
the police station for very likely they
would treat his story as joke, or per-