The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-10-12

II uAy dUu SClllC Tic
Too thin story to pass here, sir,
he calculated. We do strictly cash
business
"I don't want to be bullied about
such trifle,' continued; but the man
had completely changed into hog by
| this time, and, coming out from his
place behind the desk, he looked wick.
| ed enough to choke me then and there.
"'I will call a policeman and have
you arrested he said. in menacing
tone, loud enough to be heard by all
| the people in the saloon.
MY blood boiled at the insulting
| manner Of the man, and lost all con-
troll over my actions.
"Get out of my way and let me pass,
you red-headed scoundrel,' said, as
l made a dash for the door.
"a general scuffle ensued, and I be-
lieve l was giving him few we'll
aimed blows, when, to my horror, po-
liceman rushed in and collared me as
roughly as if had been a mailman.
What's this all about ?" he demand
ed of the clerk, who was blind with
rage.
'''Arrest that man and take him to
the station house, and l will go down
and make charge against him.
But let me EXPLAIN l cried, in a
loud tone.
'Explana tons at the station house,
said the officer, as he dragged me into
the street, where Il crowd of idlerS
had already gathered to see the fun.
GAS 1 reached the sidewalk I saw the
carriage drive off at rapid rate.
learned afterward that Clorinda be-
came alarmed for her own safety, and
promised the driver a liberal reward
if he would drive her to her fathers
house. This made matters worse, for
it looked as if she were an accomplish
of mine, and fed for fear of arrest.
Imagine the state of my feelings as
was marshaled through the streets,
with dozen rude boys yelling all
around me! When we reached the sta
ton the usual preliminaries were gone
through. The saloon keeper appeared,
and made a charge against me of
'swindling, and deliberate assault with
out provocation.'
Il told my story, but of course, it
went for nothing, as the policeman
gave his evidence in affirmation of the
charges, and l was hustled off to
cell. to pass the night in thinking over
my troubles.
In the morning I telegraphed to a
friend downtown, who soon came to
INV icfa ND Gy,n of
which the police justice imposed on
me. I went home to my boarding
house, and. as luck would have it, the
people in the house We're ignorant OF
my adventures during the night. I
suppose they thought l had been on
Il spree. but they said nothing, and L
did not enlighteI them.
THAT evening l made up my mind
to call upon my dear Clorinda and her
parents. for the purpose of explaining
my conduct. All through the day had
been framing excuses which were. for
the most part, lies and equivocations.
When I reached the door, my heart
beat so strongly that felt my courage
giving way, and l stood on the StoOp
for several minutes before could sum-
mon sufficient courage to ring the bell.
when the girl came to the door,
asked If Miss Clorinda was at home?
She said, Yes and politely asked me
to take seat in the parlor.'
''In a few moments the servant re-
bearing card with the COM
pliments Of her mistress. glanced at
the card, and on it was written in
clear, delicate hand:
"'Have you got rubbers on? Have
you the money to pay for your supper?
II not, I will lend you the necessary
supply. c. s.
Il made dash for the door, and was
soon in the street, fearing that the
father might appear and kick me out
Of the house.
"And now. my dear boy, do you Won
der thatI am still a bachelor? My ad-
vice to you is-beware Of sailing under
false colors. New York Weekly.
The Grandmother's Art.
There is the art Of being grand
mother-one of the most agreeable
and useful Of a woman's accomplish
ments. 1t has the joys Of motherhood
without its responsibilities. The
grandmother at forty is only the be-
ginning of grandmother. At sixty
she has a small store of experiences Of
whooping cough and college "scrapes"
and love affairs and weddings on
which abe may draw as occasion re-
quires, but at eighty the accumulation
is really splendid.
The grace and repose Of the grand
mother preserve ideals for the younger
generation which the strenuous de-
mands of the world too often force the
mother to neglect. The art Of staying
at home and yet keeping travelled
mind and spirit is not acquired before,
seventy.
"What are you going to do with your
leasure" asked friend Of a woman
Of seventy. who was resigning some
of her lifelong duties to other hands.
II am going to have it," replied the
wise old woman, land that will be
enough pleasure for the next ten years.
By that time I may want to do some
thing else with it."-Youth's Compan-
ion. 1850
Voluntary Imposition.
Coropn1 Shannon ouao hod nnao efny,