The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-25

ping from side to side like disabled
| rudder.
Go II, deacon! Go II, dogr yelled
Uncle Simeon, jumping up and down
and swinging his old felt hat Go II.
blame ye. 20 itr'
Uncle Simeon leaned against the rem.
nant OF the fence and shook II TIL II
squeaked. He held his two pudgy
hands against bis ample sides and
rolled his eyes In misery.
won't somebody please come and
make mo stop laughin'T" he yelled. IF
they don't I'm goln' to die. The dea-
con--the dog! I'll blow up and bust.
can't never live long enough to get
through laughln' They'll have to post
pone my funeral tili stop laughin'. |
never knowed anybody could move
their legs as fast as the deacon did.
I--i-he-heT His strength gave out.
and he sank, gurgling heap, upon the
sidewalk.
When finally he arose the dog was
crawling under the fence, ragged
piece of black cloth In his jaws. AT
sight Of It Simeon was thrown Into an.
other spasm OF mirth, from which be
had not entirely recovered when he
reached Miss Cullen's door.
His knock was answered by the lady
In person. She was OF uncertain age,
inclined to be angular and decidedly
deaf.
Good afternoon, Miss Cullenw shout
cd Simeon, 81 was wonderin' have
you seen Deacon Partridge today,
mumf
Miss Cullen's brow darkened. ''No,
| haven't" she said. "He promised to
help me beat a carpet, but he hasn't
come"
"Well, num-" glggied Simeon, III
you'll call your dog believe you'll Sc.
cure circnmstantial evidence of the
deacon's good intentions"
But Miss Cullen's deafness prevented
her catching the drift of the remark.
Anyway" she replied. aggrleyed, 1T
seems to me that II man won't keep
his promise to a woman before he mar
ries her he won't do 1t afterward."
"Thats so, num-" answered Simeon.
'But II you'll let me help you Til be
glad 10 do It. I've just got to beat a
,arpet or somethln' to keep my mind
M that mans sprlntin' abilities or I'll
,e a physical wreck" 'sssSs4"s-
"Then come right hi, Mr.. Yates" she
aid, beamlng sinllIngIy upon him. II
appreciate your kindness very much" !
Don't mention It, mutn," gurgled
simeon. Now, II you'll just show
ne"-- !
well, first she said, gazing into his
yes affectionately, there's feather
ed upstairs. II you'll throw It out the
finder for me-"
Up the steps went Simeon, but when
g reached the top he heard some one
nocking on the front door. Glancing
ut the window. he saw Deacon Par.
'idge on the stoop below gazing I'M
lsily about and acting more nervous
ian otherwise.
Catching up the feather bed. Simeon
nshed 1t through the opening and
to himself as he saw 1T fall
luarely upon the deacon's head and
'ar him to the ground. In another
stant a heavy mattress had follow
1t.
Now, Miss Cullen" observed Sine
when he had gone downstairs again y
I'd opened the door 'if yoUll come q
ID sit on the stoop and rest, mum, !
r. He noticed with satisfaction
at something was wriggling desper- 9
ely under the feathers. \
"0h, you we so considernte, Mr.. a
ltes," chirruped Miss Cullen, follow
g him out of doors, Some men are G
thoughtless Of others comfort. q
w, do you know she added. setting D
rself on q step with her back toward u
Q bedclothes, Il believe that the a
aeon wouldn't care how hard his q
fe worked just so he had good a
'thes to wear and .nlantv Of nice "
ID III. r