The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-10-24

| anu large ildHuSCTlpl III MS pOChSb
when he landed in Brownsville to lee
ture for the village library Dakin
was cynic, a bachelor, a scientist
and an LII. ID. He was a cynic because
he had eaten many meals in country
hotels, bachelor because he had met
many formal women, a scientist and
an LII. ID. because he found 1t con-
venient and profitable.
A delegation from Brownsville's
Shakespearean society met him at
the depot with starched bonnets. prim
countenances and literary quotations.
There's a case of smallpox in the
only hotel in the village" said the
president of the society, bowling like
an acolyte asking for a blessing.
You'll have to go to Mother Clark's,
Mr. Dakin."
The announcement CALLED Dakin's
LII. d. and aggravated the chill in his
spine.
Really, ladies'" said he, II am
overwhelmed at this cheerful greeting,
but l merely stopped off to make the
announcement that | cannot lecture
nervous and respondent. Otherwise
am all right only | have a desperate
cold. / must return to my home on
the next train"
There isn't any next train" said
the delegation with a chorus effect
that escaped Dakin's appreciation.
You'll have to daily til morning"
,i,,o tar,
of sarcasm rather than of chivalry,
Dakin dallied. The delegation led
him to the domiclle of Mother Clark,
and turned him over to rosy-cheek-
ed, bright-eyed little woman, who
| seemed to know more about tea than
Tacitus, about soup than Shake
| speare.
BE thou familiar but by no means
vulgar" warned the president of the
society to Mother Clark in a whisper
so dominant that Dakin could not es.
cape it.
She amt initiated with u.s." sis
ter of the society explained, dropping
her voice towards Dakin and inclining
her head towards Mother Clark. $50
don't mind her IL she doesn't use
aphorisms
II shall try to endure their absence
until you good people return to escort
me to the lecture hail." said Dakin;
for the very air of the place has in.
spired me to do my utmost not to dis
appoint the good people of this viii
lage tonight"
"Oh, we amt a-going to leave you In
no rude hands, said the sister, cheer,
fully. We're a.goin' to have supper
with you"
Dakin went to his room with his
manuscript, his chilly spine and a
faint feeling around his heart Moth
err Clark has countenance worthy of
the title she bears" he unused as he
set his back against the warm stove
pipe that ran through the rooml' "a
kind face" he unused, gazing abSently
into the cold atmosphere that had set
tied upon Brownsville like death upon
lost lamb. For long time ne gazed
at the bleak hills, at the gray skies, at
the dreary horizon reaching from
earth to heaven like symbol of
mourning for lost loves, absent hopes,
and dead joys.
This is devil of life," he said,
finally, reaching one hand for where
a pain caught him like a knife thrust
in his back. Il guess I've got her."
he concluded. The grips the grip,
no matter where 1t grips u.s."
Half an hour later Mother Clark,
| rapping on Dakins door to tell him
supper awaited his coming, heard
| groans that made her blood run cold
Il hope it isn't his lecture" she muir.
INJURED. timidly. It's more like his
| liver" she reflected as she listened
anew. Not receiving an answer, she
made bold to open the door and enter
| the room.
I've got her." Dakin cried, glazing
wildly into her eyes. The grips the
| grip, no matter where she grips you"
Mother Clark fled for assistance to
| the delegation gathered below, and in
brief space Dakin was surrounded
by starched bonnets. Shakespearean
quotations, medicine bottles and moth.
erly advice. Only Mother Clark knew
enough to run for DR.. Griggs half
mile away.
THE grips the grip no matter
where she grips YOU" yelled Dakin
when he saw the doctor. I've got
her" he continued, catching the pres.
ident of the Ladies' Shakespearean So
ciety by the nearest arm and emitting
a veritable warwhoop as a signal of
victory.
The delegation fled in alright.
"Therell be no lecture tonight DR..
Griggs called after the indignant
ladies as they went below, quoting
Shakespeare, Scripture and symptoms
OF insanity as set forth in the family
almanacs used in the town.
For seven days and nights Dakin
fought the delirium that fastened upon
him. He struggled with all the shapes
of his shattered past, wrestled with
his lost loves, clutched at his vanished
youth. prayed and shrieked for the
happiness that ever and ever had