The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-25
THE UNEXPECTED.
BY D. H. TALAnADGE.

Copyright, 1905. by Daily Story Pub, COL
 Nothing Is to be expected in politics. Quoth the colonel but the unexpected. Faith. I'd as soon put my money on the bad prospect as on the good, for the good loses often enough to more than offset the odds. Twas so in the Pottawattainle fight. of last month. and in my recollection 1t has been so more times than I nave fingers and thumbs, and"-he added after an interval of reflection-'toes on my feet"
 The young man to whom these remarks were directed. and who had opened up the subject by a casual reference to the as- tonishing election of a certain Democrat to the governorship of a tremendously strong Republican State. fidgeted some what and glanced at his watch. He had not entered the coloners home for the purpose of listening to "reminiscences of that gentlemans long and varied career tn poll itics but for the purpose of accompanying the coloneTs daughter to the play. Ana the young lady was at that moment stand ing, gloves in hand, at the door
 The colonel saw the movement and his small eyes twinkled. He beckoned to his daughter.
 ''sit down a minute. Maggie" he said. ''You have plenty of time. and want to tell Charley a little story. Sure. you owe 1t 10 me: neither of you asked me whether or not I have any objection to your keeping company together; you've just gone at it independent as two colts on railroad track"
 The girl biushed, glanced at the young man and, pouting, seated herself on the edge of a chair. The young man looked silently at the colonel for a moment. then laughed.
 "Ail right" he said; %We'il wait"
 He sank back into his chair. and threw a glance expressive of helplessness at the girl whereupon she also laughed. And then the colonel laughed
 Iris the way I thought you'd take 1t, koA a.Ns you and your work for a long time, and thought you'd take 1t so. 'Tis the little tests-the annoying. asgravating, trivial things of Hfe-that showSwhether mans going to make the right sort of a husband for a woman, and. by the same token, whether the woman's going to be real comfort and help to a man; 'tis not the public Ife-the performance in the ring | under the fierce white light-that tells ths tale. You've made me feel more easy ir my mind. You may go now. and hope | you'll have a pleasant evening"" He reached for the newspaper. which hC l had thrown down when the young mar | entered For a moment he appeared tc his face, he peered over the top of tho
 Aren't you going7" he asked gently. There is no great occasion for hurry
 replied the young man. fon stated be- | lieve, that you wished to tell me story
 if it is not too long should like to heai It."
 Fully for you!" cried the colonel, beam
 ingiy ''You're the sort that keeps its con
 tracts and insists upon the delivery of thu | goods. iris well I'm extremely gratified
 May I ask. are you thinking of marryinI
 Maggie?" | T am"
 And you. my sirl-aFs you thinking O | marrying Charley?" l IT told him would" replied the girl | twisting the finger of glove.
 The colonel. his face become suddenll | grave. contemplated the ceiling for | l space, then drew a long breath. | iris a blessed thing to be young" h.
 sighed, but 'tis also a blessed thing to b. old. The young are happy because the! | don't know. and the old are happy-o | should be--because--" he hesitated clear. | ing his throat-''because they've found ou 'tis a bigger. better game than they eve | thought God bless you boy and girl! l ] vOn live right you'll lind 'us Erand-