The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1905-10-05

The hall door banged.
Good graciousw cried poor Bangs.
They've come homer
Every hair on his head stood up with
fright. He grabbed at the belt, but it
wouldn't unbuckle He heard steps
on the stairs, and women's voices
struck more terror TO his guilty soul
than the sound of Gabriel's trumpet
would have done.
He glanced about him. There was
no escape. a closet door stood partly
open. Into that he crowded himself.
and pulled the door together lust as
Mrs. Smith came in.
He could hear her bustling about.
taking off her jacket and bonnet What
If she were TO come TO the closet? 1t
was altogether likely that she hung
her things there. He felt as if he
were going to faint Then he thought
of the ridiculous appearance fainting
man in Il skirt would make. and made
up his mind that he wouldn't faint.
he'd die first,
There! She was coming that way.
What was to be done? A thousand
wild thoughts flashed through his
brain. He felt rer hand upon the door
knob.
There's man in your roomr' he
roared out, in awful bass. He didn't
know how he came to say it, 1t was
the inspiration of desperation. prob
ably.
"Oh-b. o-o-hr' shrieked Mrs. Smith,
and fed i'm terror.
I've got TO get out of this before
anyone comes" said Mr.. Bangs, giving
push TO the door. Horrorsl it would
not open. There was only one way Of
opening it, and that was from the
outside.
\. clammy perspiration covered him
from head to foot.
''You stay here. and Ill go in,' he
heard Selma say. in the hail. 81 amt
afraid"
He put his eye to the keyhole, and
saw his sister enter the room.
"Selinar' he called. in sepulchral
tone. selma
'Who calls me Selina?' demanded
Mrs. Green. dramatically, fourishing
the feather duster, which she had
brought along for weapon of de-
fenSe
II do" answered Mr.. Bangs ITS
'RastuS, your brother. I'm Slut UP in
this closet"
We'll. ] heverr' exclaimed Mrs.
Green, staring at the closet as if she
expected to look it out OF countenance
LET me out. and don't be Il foolr'
cried Mr., Bangs.
Thus appealed to, Mrs. Green VEN
tured TO open the door, and out stepped
Mr.. Bangs. with his skirt swishing
about his legs.
For the lands saker' cried Selma.
with uplifted hands. and mouth wide
open. "Why. 'Rastus Bangsr
II thought I'd have little sport"
explained Mr.. Bangs. looking about as
foolish as il is possible for man to,
but you came back too soon, and 1
couldn't get it off, and slipped into the
closet. Help me out of the confounded
thing. Selma. and keep it to yourself,
and I'll buy you the incest dress i'll
town"
"Selina. SELMA called the widow
from the bottom of the stairs. DO you
want Any help"
Hurry up"' exclaimed Mr.. Bangs.
shell be here in minute"
I'll tell you what I'll do said Sc
lima. "If you'll promise to ask her to
marry you inside of three days, I'll help
you out of the scrape. If you don't,
I'll call her in."
II dassent." Groaned Mr.. Bangs.
Then I'll call her." said Selma.
II Will" said her brother, desper-
ateiy.
Mrs. Green gave Il peculiar twitch to
the strap, the buckle let go its hold,
and the skirt fell TO the floor. Mr..
Bangs stood up free man.
Now. remember" said Selma, warm
ingly. IF you haven't proposed to Mrs
Smith in three days from this time-at
half-past six precisely, on Thursday,
the timell be up-I shall tell the whole
story"
oh, those three days! They seemed
three years to poor Bangs. He tried
seven different times to make his prom
Use good. but every time his tongue
Glove to the roof Of his mouth and he
was speechleSs.
Thursday, at o'clock. Selma came
to him.
Have you, asked Eer, 'Rastus?" she
demanded, solemnly
NO, haven'< answered Mr.. Bangs.
II can't. SElina.N
you've gNt just half an hours time
left" said Selma, \unfeelingly. Sup
peril be ready in fifteen minutes. The
half hour'n be gone before we get
through eating, aud Y shall tell the
story the minute the times up. Maria's
in the parior, alone. IN you want to
see her. you'll nevet Eet better
chance" \A
"If you had any sisteri3 \egard for
me-" began Mr.. Bangs but Mrs.
l.. IL.