The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-12-09
From a Young
Mans Diary

fashioned aHalr," she called 1t. we
were to pull candy, roast chestnuts,
pop corn. We we're to bob for ap-
pies. We were to look on our future
brides in darkened mirrors. We were
to riot in a seasonable game that in
yolved the pleasant necessity OF
crawling under beds and crouching in
staffy closets Altogether we were to
revert to the pleasures Of childhood
in the most artless and engaging man
ner.
When I arrived, the thirteenth man.
the entertainment was in full blast.
Bob was bobbing for apples on his
knees before a tub brimming with
water. He was plunging head first
after large, shiny-surfaced pippin
that bobbed just out Of reach every
time. 1t was a pitiable sight.
Your turn comes next, joe" said
Virginia.
Il know l never could do it." I be-
gan, pleadingly.
"But you must" insisted she.
Everybody did" Indeed the circle
Of limp collars and splashed shirt
fronts attested to the truth of what
she said.
l should have liked to retain the ad-
vantage of my clean linen throughout
the evening, but it was impossible. In
another moment was victimized
Rare sport" said /, grimly, rising to
my feet at last. My collar was even
as the collars Of the rest Of them.
Nov we will pull candy" said Vir-
ginia.
That wasn't so bad. We were per-
mitted to stand around with our hands
in our pockets while the girls, twelve
of them, gathered about one small
pot Of molasses. They spoiled 1t, of
course, but the only one who seemed
to care was Virginia's kid brother. He
had been permitted to stay up until
this point in the festivities and now
he was hauled away to bed a disap-
pointed and embittered infant. The
rest of us adjourned to the library.
1t was in the library that Virginia
told us about the mysterious mirror,
that on one night in the year, through
weird, supernatural agencies, reflect
ed to mans gaze the woman of his
love and life. Then one by one we
were led to the darkened chamber
When my turn came l wondered list
lessly with which of the twelve girls
present Virginia's whim would link
my future.
looked into the mirror. l gasped
1t was Virginia!
Virginia's own sweet face fitted for
a second across the shadowy surface
| turned like a shot. She had disap-
peared.
Ecstatically went back to the H.
brary. Ecstatically entered into the
next game and was slowed away in a
remote closet where | was to remain
until found, removed and taken to sup
per by one of the feminine search
party. l was glad for these moments
alone, though could have wished for
less stuffy accommodation.
Virginia's face in the glass! It could
mean only one thing. 1t was her way
of showing me. | would ask her for
mally tomorrow. made plans about
the engagement ring. 1t must be
something unique. | saw myself en-
gagged, married. Would l miss the
privileges of bachelorhood? Would
Virginia object to my pipe? No.
must make arm stand there The
wedding would probably be in the
spring. We would have European
honeymoon. In imagination we were
already taking it when Virginia
brought me back-her laugh, in the
distance.
jumped to my feet, bumped my
head viciously, sent three bandboxes
scurrying, dashed out Of the closet and
downstairs The hall clock was strik-
ing IL. had been buried for an hour.
l have said that l made the thirteenth
man. l have said that there were
twelve girls. Well, found the twenty
four of them in the dining room, all
happy. Virginia was at the head Of
the table, with Bob. AS I entered
some one reached for the last piece of
cake.
But that wasn't all. The last came
when we fellows were getting on our
overcoats before the leave-taking.
what luck did you have with the
mysterious mirror, Sam?" asked Bob
benignly.
did it do the right thing by you,
Bob?" replied Sam Bettin quite as be-
nignly.
Now that I'm sure Of my bride,
mine will be a June wedding" said
Archie Manning.
"Who is she, Arch?" asked Bob.
wen have to know soon anyhow"
Congratulate me first" interrupted
Sam. II saw Virginia"
"virginial" gasped Bob.
"virginial" calculated l.
"Why, l saw Virginia myself" said
Archie.
$50 did l." said the full chorus.
We'll" laughed Archie, she prob
ably intends to marry us all AMI In the
meantime the laugh is on us. Don't
look so glum, Bob"
Pint poh'q rnood was eunuv nonn