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

moved convulsiyeIy.
well. Miss Cullen" began Simeon,
'f've always thought that II had q
wife I'd treat her like o wife ought 10
be treated
Miss Cullen coughed softly and drop
ped her eyes. "Mr Yates she asked
presently. siancing at him bashfuliy,
why don't you get marriedT
III thought l could sat the right
kind OF q woman" Simeon stammered,
"A woman like you. now The bed
and mattress fairly rose In the air
Simeon turned hls head and coughcd
violently.
"Oh. Mr.. Yates" broke In Miss cul.
len, blushing becomlngly. IL 1 thought
that you would have--that would
make you a good wife, She dropped
her sparkling eyes groundward. The
feather bod shook with renewed en-.
srgy.
But ] thought you said that you and
tho deacon began Simeon.
"Oh, nor Miss Cullen interrupted.
Il only meant that the deacon wanted
% marry me. Why. Mr.. Yates, you've
~ idee how that persistln' old hypo-
critic has pestered me- The bedding
experienced a sudden terrific upheayal.
Simeon acted as II be were going 10
explode. "Why, II had let hlm
honestly believe he would have got
down ON his knees. l know Amt az
young as once was, but I reckon
know a man when | see one. Now,
you. Simeon Again she glanced at
him shyiy.
well, then" said Simeon, his eyes
twinkling. III ! should ask you to mar
ry me would you promise to-
"0-h. simeonw blushed Miss Cullen
softly. "I-I-yes, believe would,
Simeon"
Would you PROMISE" continued sim. |
con, pinehIng himself to keep from |
laughing aloud when he saw something
under the feather bed behaving scan.
dalously-"would you promise to sick
your dog on that old idjit Of Dea-
con Partridge II he hangs around here |
any moreT'
No sooner had be uttered those
words than from the midst Of that pile
Of household necessities there came
the visible Indications Of a terrific
storm. followed by the subdued but
unmistakable sound OF ripping cloth,
and the next second feather bed, mat
sress and deacon arose In concert, and
there. In the astonished presence OF
Miss Cullen, stood Partridge bis arms
and legs tangled In the environments
Of blue striped ticking and his head
and shoulders covered with speckled
coating Of downy feathers. Feathers
protruded from his eyes; feathers VI
brated on the end OF his nose; feath.
srs waved maJesticaily from the tips
'f his ears. He couldn't see or hear
,r speak for feathers. He could scarce
y breathe for feathers.
Pooh. pooh. poohr' he putred. blow.
ng great lunches OF feathers from
,is mouth. "Ahchool Ahche-oog' he
Ineezed The tears were running down
lis face, making the feathers stick the
loser to his scarlet cheeks.
Miss Cullen sprang to her feet, press. {
d her trembling hands to her eyes Q
nd shrieked J
We'll. wellF' said Simeon. regarding
i'm with overmastering hilarity.
Well, well, this is the first time | ever !
ee a partridge runnin' around half :
licked. Say, why don't you 20 out be.
Ind the barn and SINCE yourself?"
The deacon could not speak. He
ould not do anything but open and :
but his mouth like chicken with the r
apes and go "Cut, cut, cutr'
why, he thinks he's an old settin r
enV' exclaimed Simeon, eying him
Shouldn't wonder but T
ell be a-scratchln' UP your flower bed
ext, Miss Cullen. Say" he added to {
he perspiring deacon, "why don't you
y up in tree and 80 to roost agaN?" \
IL didn't come here to be laughed
t." whimpered Partridge, extricating \
imself from the ticking and nearly l
rying with indignation. Il came here !.
, call on Miss Cullen" s@4 ,
"Huh| replied Simeon, pressing shis :
ands against his quivering sides and =
egarding the other with austerity,
Huh, dye reckon Miss Cullen hasn't
nything to do but to entertain oyster
chesg Why don't you run awaysome-
heres and stick yonr head in the
lnd?" -4 G
\ tell you | amt goln' to stand here S
nd be insulted by no squatty old hip U
ypotamousew shrilled the deacon an.
N 81 ,sy,.-vs..s, NV
,My' .A.s,fs. III .SssS;taa1GI y
"Ruther be hlpBypotamouse than to
featherweight,' snapped Simeon. II
4 you're so blame brave, why don't
NJ flap your wings and crow? why ID
MT you let folks know that you're a ,
langhai that's not afeard of anything -
the barnyard even II your pinfeath.
amt all grown oat2'
I'm a man of peace, Brother Yates"
piled Partridge meeEly. 'Tm an a.
Ter In the church, and | don't want n
get mad, and don't want to al
ear IL,
NAV hn 4hOh xyn,,tn, 4,,r,., .. <. -. ,t,