The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-03-12

Inc girl with the hat that had a
huge cabbage rose on it permitted a
trown to gather on her brow. al
ways she said, slowly and distinct
ly' Il have thought that | disliked
people who play practical jokes and
now l know it is even worse. They
arouse a deadly hatred in me-"
You talk like cheap melo-
drama remarked the girl with the
angelic eyes.
Melodrama nothing!" remarked
the gil with the cabbage rose. IT'S
tragedy, nothing less! I suppose
Bert Randall thought he was iusti-
ned because l had been boasting that
l was too sharp TO be taken in Inv
any ordinary sell-and then he never
ala like the minister anyway! If
only l could lay my hands on him
a minute to find out"
i've often wondered which of the
TWO YOU liked the better" inter-
rupted the girl with the angelic ewes
Did the joke help YOU to find out?"
Don't be silly!" said the girl with
the cabbage rose.
was called to the telephone ves-
terday" she went on. "and - crrt
voice announced that the speaker was
newspaper reporter who desired to
verify a notice his paper had received
10 the effect that my ENGAGEMENT 10
the Rev. Mr.. Fairman was inst an
nounced. 1 nearly choked i'm nv
hurry to assure him there must be q
mistake, that it wasn't so at all. and
Tor goodness sake not to print any
such dreadful thing. He was very
nice and said If the announcement
was premature the paper had no de-
sire to print it.
1 broke in to explain that &c
wasn't premature and then he broke
In to inquire in an injured voice why
IL III was so l objected to the pubIica-
ton. Then l had to explain in de-
tail that 1t wasn't premature because
1t wasn't so at all and wasn't going
to be 50.
He said that sometimes one could
not tell and that he really could not
understand why such a notice came
IN IL there wasn't some truth in it,
80 there we stood and quarreled
ABOUT 1t, l was getting madden and
madden at the universe in general
at the reporter for his persistence. at
the Rev. Mr. Fairman for ever exist
ing on the same earth with me and
most OF all, at whoever had sent in
such dreadful announcements!
Just when i was almost CRYING
there was break in the even, polite
tone at the other end of the wire and
like a flash of lightning it burst upon
me that no one but Bert Randall had
that particular little quaver when he
was trying not to laugh.
You think you're mighty clever
Bert Randall, don't your" 1 asked
with hysterical calm But he wouldn't
give in. He said he really couldn't
understand me. So / said neither
could understand him. Then
hung up the receiver.
wanted to cry and I wanted to
laugh-because IT. was so cIeverlv
done. Don't you think Bert is dread
fully bright?"
oh, horribly" cheerfully agreed
the girl with the angelic eyes.
Wen, In a couple or hours the
phone rang again and this time the
voice announced calmly that the
speaker was the Rev. Mr. Fairman
and he wished to inquire about some
thing rather odd I just hared at
out at that I thought Bert was
going rather too far. / knew it was
Bert because Mr. Fairman never
called me up ON the phone but once
In his life and that time it was about
the bazaar
I determined to give Bert a little
excitement so 7 answered i'm a sweet.
smooth voice and said / supposed il
was i'm regard to- our engagement. /
asked itehe knew the papers we're to
print tho announcement the next dav.
Bert played his part to perfection.
He seemed politely troubled and MUIR
INJURED that he had not been aware
OF the fact ] called him dearest and
rallied him about his forgetfulness.
That confused him so he couldn't say
q word Then 7 piled &c on.