The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-07-28

1T is generally admitted, z said the
selectman, "that the ones who intro
duce new ideas into the world al
ways have to stand more or less
that the people in Carmel have al
ways been mighty kind to you as a
genius in the carriage and sleigh
line We have taken your new ideas
in models and your schemes in color
and have pulled our wallets and paid
and never said a word. But this ERE
treatment for nervous prosperation
seems to be affecting the peace and
happiness of home and the equilib-
rum of an immortal SOUL" He wait
ed there and smacked his lips. Well,
it did sound pretty slick! I don't
know where he ever got hold of that
string of words. IF you could see
her settin' there on her bed, gaf1ing
the footboard, and seem trees ahead,
and feelin' that she is still goin' Tor
jomighty-sakes down hill, you'd I'M
derstand that this community feels
justified in pickin' the thing up
"I've discussed it with the family
already" said Gale, with good deal
of hidden meaning, settling the band
age around his eye, "and don't UNI
derstand that the neighbors have any
license to stick their noses in. It's
wholly a family matter"
"Is it, now?" squealed Mis- Bangs.
Family matter, Ell? Well, do you
presume to set there and tell us that
you've declared your intentions?'
None of your business!" snorted
Gale
We'll, it is our bus'ness!" said
Mis- Bangs, and she came right up to
the side of the bed ITS the bus
ness of the spinsters and widders of
this town to see that one of their
number amt lied to and deceived
and rode down hill to her everlastin'
ruin and then deserted. You'll find
it's our business, Mister Gale Allen,
you that's been scornin' the women
in this town for all these years! II
you amt declared yourself, then
we've got as much to do with the
Sprague family as you have"
do you mean 10 tell me-" roared
Gale, chat the women of this town
think they've got the right to tell me
how shall do my courtin'?'
"Jammin' fool ideas down the
mems necks ard triflin' with the af-
fections of helpless women are two
different things" insisted Mis- Bangs.
You may be a genius, as they say;
but you can't gently us around your
little finger"
He jumped off the bed like flash.
and I thought he was going to cuff
her ears, but that wasn't it. He
ducked out of the door on the run;
and we all took after him, for we
couldn't think what was going to
happen. Geniuses go crazy all of a
sudden sometimes. and we didn't
know but the town of Carmel was go
ing to see more tragedy that even
ing than we had seen up to that time.
and land knows we'd had enough!
He kept ahead of us easy down
the road, turned into the Wilder
Sprague's house, tossed the Sprague
boy into a snow-drift when the boy
tried to stop him in the door. and
when we got into the house he was
standing beside the bed shaking the
wilder by the arm.
mis- Sprague!" he shouted.
The hiccups had come on her by
that time, but she was still able to
Tioller "Whoa!" and talk about trees
chasing her.
"Widder Sprague," he said. coax
ing-hke.
But she only let out another howl
"Joanne," said he.
She didn't boiler so loud.
Dear Joanne!' he said
Her voice sunk down to a moan
and the hiccups made her sort of
cluk like setting hen.
He put his arm round her shoulder.
"Dear Joanne," he said. Pm a-steer-
in her. and don't you be scared .
mite"
She let her head lay over on his
shoulder
II was thinkin', dearest jeanne"
said he soothing her with his hand,
"that when we got to the bottom of
the hill, I'd say: Les you and me
slide together all the rest of our
lives We're past fifty. and it's all
down hill for us now Yes. dear Jo
anne, when we get to the foot Of the
me, and now" he hollered in her ear
just as lOuu DIS he COuiu yen, VIC 10
-at-the-foot-of-
Well, sir, she came to like the snap
of your finger, and smiled at him
like sick cat. and when he said:
will We marry me, Joanne?" she
patted him on the cheek and laid her
head down on his shoulder and said:
I'll make We jest the best wife I
know how to-" And she was as calm
as a pork sausage.
Gale stood up and shook his fist at
US, one arm still around her.
Now, blast your old pelts!" he
yapped. you've spied around and
stuck your noses in and prodded at
me till ye made me pop the question
right square under your noses. and
now | suppose you are satisfied. And
II you are, get out! If this amt a
family matter now and from this
time on. I'd like to have Mis- Bangs
there tell me wherein it amt"
Now, really. there didn't seem To
be anything to say.
"Meetin' is adjourned siny die"