The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-05-08
WEIGHTS AND
WIVES
BY IRWIN JOHNSON


the minister, as he stopped the new
superintendent Of the mills for a chat
"The ladies have a new idea. I'm not
exactly clear as 10 the details. but II
promises 10 be amusing"
"Tl try" agreed Libby, though he
made the mental reservation that he
was certain to have important work
on hand.
But after supper he felt the call OF
his kind. Somehow he could not ap-
ply himself 10 the facts and figures
on the paper before him. and In the
end he put them away and went over
10 the bureau for fresh collar.
Ten minutes later he was struggling
into his coat and inqulring the wav 20
the church. Mr.. Griflth's welcome
was alone worth the trip. and II was
with a glow OF satisfaction that he
entered the Sunday school room and
looked about him.
At one side. on a long table, were
pies OF all sorts, sizes and degrees OF
appeal. Mrs. Griffith came forward
10 take him in charge and led him
mp 10 the table.
Now you Just pick ont the pie you
want" she urged. Then we'll tell
You the rest"
Don't / have 10 be weighed nrst7"
he asked with a smile as he indicated
the scales at ono end Of the table. She
shook her head with dancing eyes.
You just pick our your pie" she
commanded.
In the midst OF such plenty II was
no easy matter. but at last he settled
upon a particularly crusty mince pie.
Mrs. Griffith lifted up the plate. looked
NJ the card beneath and began 10
laugh.
You've got Mrs. Marlowe's pie"
she announced. you sec you pay
half a cent a pound on the weight OF
the maker: then she keeps you COM
pany while you eat the pie. Mrs. Mar
Lowell"
There was a shout Of laughter as
she called the name. Mrs. Marlows
came forward. a jolly.faced woman OF
exceeding stoutness.
She clambered upon the scales and
Libby duly deposited fii0. Then.
with a bow to Mrs. Marlowe. he Of
fered his arm.
Il was rather more than he had
bargained for. but he was game, and
as they sought a table he smiled back
into the faces Of those who laughed
al the way he had been caught.
I've got more pies up there" an
nounced Mrs. Mariowe. I'm making
more money for the organ fund than
any three Of those skinny girls. |
want to watch the pies. I'll send you
n substitute"
she left him at the table TO return
in a moment with a slight young girl.
you see" she exclaimed in whis-
per, Bessie isn't any heavyweight
but she can make splendid pies. |
told 'em It was a shame to let a pie
like that go for half a dollar so |
put my name under It 50 the fund
wouldn't be cheated"
NO danger of that" be said, with
smile. with you on the LOOKOUT l
think your business ability is wasted
in 80 small a sphere. Properly placed
you could become a Napoleon OF
finance"
"They 30 to Jail in the long run
she rumbled. pleased, nevertheless, at
the compliment "Bessie'll take care
Of you all right"
Bessie Robee lacked Mrs. Mar
loves confidence Of manner. but LIB
by quickly put her at her ease and
he found her shyness indescribably
attractive. Long before the pie was
finished. he had fallen captive, and he
manfuly ate part OF a second after
finding out which was hers.
Even when he had 20 pay toll on
Mrs. Marlowe's weight n second time
he did not complain. The pie-and Its
accompanlment-was well worth tho
price.
lie dld not realize Il. but he had
been lonesome and homesick. lie had
missed the life Of the city, and he was
miserable. Now a slip OF a girl had
wrought a marvellous change, and as
he blew out the light he smiled at
himself IN the glass.
The social was such a success that
II was repeated In the spring. and
again Mrs. Marlowe stood proxy for
her more slender sisters.
Bert was one OF the first TO appear.
and he had no difficulty in selecting
Bessie's pies. In the interval he had
pariaken Of many. for Mrs. Roblee
had made him welcome at her home.
and It was a polite fiction that be
came 10 eat pie.
He was finishing on his second. Il
wish I could get other things as cas-
fly" be said. as he laid down bis
fork. Hearts, for instance"
"They come by weight" she said.
softly. "The weight Of a mans worth,
only n is he VINO IS weighed IN the
balance"
Il wish I could get Mrs. Marlowe
for a proxy" he regretted half humor-
ousy, half wistfuliy."
do you need herr" she asked. IT
Is not bulk, but worth"
And you think I would weigh up
well?" he asked.
Bessie nodded. His hand clasped
hers beneath the table.
Then weigh me IN the balance OF
your love-" be pleaded.
You are not found wanting" she
whispered. Il think you wcigh-mueh
more than Mrs. Marlowe." she added.
softly.