The Press., 1905-03-01

| riveS. so when you meet her you must
keep rs quiet as you can and only
speak when spoken to-" interrupted
Billy. like a good little boy. I'll try t.
remember my childhood precepts, but
l am of the opinion your Aunt Maria
will think her niece is not going to
make a very brilliant match. If
don't speak, she'll think me a regular
stick"
'.Its far better she should think that
than to have you win her dislike by
saying the wrong thing. You know
you haven't much tact. Billy. l am
glad of it. A tactful man seems effem-
mate.
That's right! Put some sugar on
the medicine" he muttered reproach.
fully.
But there is one subject. Billy, you
must not mention as you value your
life. your reputation and my friend
ship. Do you think you can remem-
bery'
"I'I try awfully hard. What is it2''
ats corns."
"Corns?''
''Yes. You see, when Aunt Maria's
husband was poor-before he struck oil
in Texas-he was q chiropodist. Aunt
Maria has always seemed ashamed of
that fact, and we were always caution
ed not to say a word along those
lines
well. I'll try not to tread on her
toes"
"Oh, Billyp expostulated Mabel.
"When is she coming?"
Tomorrow. Come up in the evening
and call"
The following day Billy went about
ruefully studying q little memorandum
he had written out and kept constantly
repeating to himself. Mustn't say
corns." Consequently when he APP
peared at the home of his fiancee that
evening and was presented to Aunt
Maria the only topic in his thoughts
was corns. He replied to all her ap-
proaches toward conversation in mono
syIlables. Finally there came a pro-
longed and deadly lull, and Billy, after
racking his. brains for something to
say, blurted out:
Did you ever read Bunyan's Pill
grim's Progress? 2
"Oh. Billyr' family gasped Mabel.
The witlering looks from the other
members of the family and the feeling
that he had made himself generally
disliked caused Billy TO bring his call
to an abrupt termination. The next
day Mabel telephoned him to meet her
in the park
.'Billy." she cried as soon as she saw
him, ~ know you so well that know
how it happened. but mamma and the
girls are furious at you and declare
you did it on purpose. and l guess,
Billy. you had better not come again
until Aunt Maria has gone and the
family is cooled down"
Billy groaned.
"You didn't say anything about bum
IONS"
1T would have done no good If
had"
"what did your aunt say about me
anythingT'
"She asked what your business was"
"What did you tell herP'
81 told her you were only through
college and had not yet decided what
to go into"
"How long will she stayT
"a week. 1t will be the longest one
ever put in. We must say goodby until
she goes. 1t will never do to meet you
this way again. They would be sure to
hear of it."
"Just as you say" he replied discon-
solately.
After they had parted Billy walked
slowly downtown. Suddenly he saw
Aunt Maria coming toward him. There
was no escape. A f1ashlight of inspira-
ton. born of desperation, burst upon
Billy. and he determined to make
brilliant coup. When he came up to
the elderly lady. who was laden with
bundles of every size and description,
he stopped. lifted his hat and asked If
he might not carry her bundles for her
and escort her home.
'sWhy, yes, 1 don't suppose you have
else to do"
mo, not at present" he answered,
relieving her of her bundles and ac-
his pace to hers.
young man, she said abruptly.
they tell me you have no business.
don't approve of an idle man, especial
" young man. Youth is the time to
work.
Il quite agree with you" he said
earnestly. "ard my mind was made up
rs soon rs was out of college as to
the business should follow. but Ma
n anil herfamiI5 -. .ecIaliy the fam
so strelaously that de-
:ided to give it up. have followed up
several other leads, but all my heart
vas in my first choice. and | don't
.hink I'll ever succeed in any other"
They are FOOLS" she asserted, Ito
in your business, and you
must excuse me if l say you are fool
+ you let them influence you"
Il claim you are right. madam, and
have today taken the necessary steps
coward opening place of business"
what business is it?"
Il intend to be chiropodist."
She turned keen glance of suspi-
lion upon him, but he continued calm
y:
My uncle in his early days was q
but Of course in his day
was different and not looked upon
s it is now-as a branch of surgery
hat requires SKILL You see, Mabel's
amily is n little cd fashioned and
yand don't realize how
hinSs are changing and that no bust
ess is looked upon slightingly now
days"
Yes. it is nothing to be ashamed
T." she said. bristling. "Still, there
re other things in which you could |
lake more money"