The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-07-01
THE SERIOUS JOKE

Arthur Maddis was a reported of
considerable ability, but his xeal for
the humorous frequently LED to dis
astrous results. The notoriety given
some and the embarrassment
heaped on others had secured him
a number OF "callings," but notwith-
standing these, he usually patched
up the dificulty and retained his
friends.
Among the number, however, he
had made one implacable foe, Ste
phen Cotton, who was assistant
manager OF a local insurance COM
pany. The manager of the com.
pany, having q large territory. was
unable to be In the once but Thurs
day Of each week. which Cotton
wished to regard as q very common
place occurrence, but which 1t de-
lighted Maddis to mention each
week for no other reason than that
it plagued Cotton into an intolerable
frenzy. Each visit OF Colton's SUI
perior was duly announced in the
Daily News Wednesday, his pres
ence duly recorded on Thursday
and a note of his call made on Fri.
day, the only difference in the ar.
ticles being in the tense Of the
verbs used.
After this systematic teasing had
been in progress for or months
to the chagrin of the touchy Col
ton. Maddis began to tire of the
sport and cast about for something
new. AS he was passing the insur-
ance Office 1 day, girl of II sum-
mers came out and proceeded down
the street in front of him. She had
a fair, oval face, large brown eyes
and luxuriant, brown hair, and to
Maddis she was vision Of lowell
ness. Rude as it was, he could not
resist watching her as she moved
before him with such supple grace
she scarcely seemed to touch the
street at all.
She had proceeded but short
distance when she stopped to speak
with a friend. So Fate decreed,
that friend was also an acquaint-
ance of Maddis and with true
newspaper courage he "butted in"
An introduction followed and ere he
could hardly realize it, he was walk
ing beside the wondrous fairy. con-
versing on the friendliest terms.
That introduction and subsequent
unpremeditated meetings ultimately
resulted in a date" To Maddis
the world presented a new and fas-
cinating responsibility; and to
Winifred Winnow the light Of first
love began to glimmer on the hori-
zon. And she was fair and he was
talented and energetic, and the first
faint rays soon developed into the
strong and steady radiance Of mu-
tual affection.
One starlit eve in young October
they stood beneath the grand old
oak that shaded her home, and COO
ed the sweet refrain so many coo
and yet deny the cooling. Dan Cupid
danced in ecstasy around them and
the brisk west wind shattered the
leaves above.
81 love you, Winifred," he MUIR
INJURED passionately. will you be
my own little darling for ever and
a day."
Eyes. II Uncle Steve consents"
she answered. hiding her face on
his shoulder.
Then let us ask at once" and
together they entered the house.
ooh. Uncle Steve" she called.
YES" came the answer from an
adjacent room. In an instant the
door was opened and Uncle Steve
Cotton stood before them. Maddis
was astounded and dismayed. Oft
had she mentioned Uncle Steve"
but it had never occurred to him
that grouchy old Steve Cotton could
be her uncle and her guardian.
"Well?" blurted Cotton, glazing