Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-06-04
a SHATTERED
DREAM
BY Horace Seymour Keller.

ELI Pivins was new to the city,
put he had a purpose to put forth.
Approaching a policeman he asked:
Know of place where Teller car
find gals put up to pick an choose
frum?"
"A few; mean a theatrical agency
Going to start a show, friend?'
do / look much like wire-dancer,
a juggler or clown in pantymine?
mean place where man o stand.
in in the community can look the list
over, make a choice, plank down the
rhino an take his birdie hum, see?
Know such a store?"
What you mean is the bureau of
Information"
Perhaps; but can furnish all the
furnitoor needed. What ! want is
somethin' in the line o kalilScr with
heft, length o reach an good stayin'
wind, see? Grace an beauty don't
cut no ice up on the farm when milkin'
time comes an when the hired yelp
fur grub, see? I'm liaber to be married
ag'in as soon as put my eyes on the
proper sort"
II think ] see. Try that place over
there. Likely you can find the correct
shade of goods you are after, Luck to
you, old man"
With a smile the bluecoat turned
away and sauntered down the street,
while Eli Pivins crossed over and en-
tered the doorway. He was ushered
into a snugly arranged room with a
fine rolltop desk at one side. He stood
there twirling his hat nervously as he
gazed at the very prettiest creature In
the line of feminine divinities he had
ever met He felt young and boyish
and was only sorry he had neglected
to have his beard trimmed and hair
cut before leaving the farm. Little
thrills of hot and cold flashes passed
up and down his backbone as a pair
of blue eyes now and then looked
over the top of the desk and nailed
him to the floor. He couldn't move,
let alone say word. His tongue Glove
to the roof of his mouth, his feet
seemed as if they weighed a ton each,
he knew that his beard had never
stump.
The fluffy hair that rolled up from
that alabaster brow sent sob into his
throat every time he glanced at It
Suddenly while he was in mild state
Of insanity a musical voice told him
to be seated He fell with thud into
a chair, feeling positive that he was in
paradise and in the company of one
of tbs prettiest birds.
"B'gosh!" I've hit it, sure pop, the
fust time. Cricky, but I'm the lucky
cuss! Wonder If it breathes, eats,
walks an is like other human beins?'
Eli muttered under his heard as he sat
dumfounded and stunned
Finally after another short but pain.
full pause the fair vision rose and re-
yealed itself to the delighted Eli in
all its grace and lovely personification
of female beauty as it stepped from be,
hind the desk Her smile almost
drove him mad, and he gasped long
: and deeply when she said in voice
that almost robbed him of his senses
and sent thrills of rapture to the very
ends of his toes:
Il take it you have business with
me this morning"
We'll, | have. | don't have to look
no further, that's all. | thought I'd
have a long an lonesome hunt, afore
| hit the proper sorter goods i wanted.
But luck is mine an the hunt is over.
I'm on the right track fust pop, by
cricky! / thought | wanted heft, long
reach an good stayin' wind. That
dream has vanished like a frost in
June Grace an beauty is the proper
caper arter all on the farm. Yer
hair an eyes an the hull dern things
abo0 you hit me just to a T. ! am
ready to put my money on the star
green, play my shuttle, sign the gree
ment an run long hum just as fast
as them cars'1l take us wuth my
prize"
You seem rather particular as to
the personal qualities of the servant
you would hire"
oCl'aht huIhih' hio' SiS . my
queen O. diamonds, hearts an the hull
pack. Whenll you be ready to trot
hum with me an make the farm a
garden O. paradise"
Did you not come here for hired
help?"
Not much. l need nice, leetle,
clingin' WHEY
you have struck the wrong place"
"Lordy! An you are not in the
MARKET"
Not since five years ago; good
morning"
Eli went away with a sob In his
throat, and spinach lowered.