Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-02-05
The DAMSEL |
DISTRESS
BY Horace collars

| had been reading stories In the
weeklies about blase club men going
forth in the streets and the parks OF
great cities looking for strange adven-
lures. In all these stories, even in
the most commonplace parts of the
city, adventure and romance inVarla-
bly, jumped out and greeted these mod
ern knights errant.
After reading several of these tales
Of adventure | became convinced that
the unexpected awaited on every cor
ner and in every ten-cent lunchroom
of the city. All that was needful was
to keep ones eyes open.
All of these fiction heroes were rich,
blase clubmen, possessing good looks,
immaculate Clothes" and tint to
burn if they wished to dispose of it
in that way My position in life is
different, in fact my position is that of
clerk at the shirt counter of d8part-
ment store. But l am called a "swell
dresser" by the girls of my acqpaint-
ance, although have not acquired the
uIblAuIAlOu VI DClIS liulldCulOINlS
CARRIED" On Sunday night I am as
leisurely as the idlest of the idle rich,
and have invested in a cane, or
rather, a walking stick. would affect
even a monocle if l were not afraid
that l might run across some of my
friends.
One Sunday night, therefore,
sailed out in search Of adventure In
the most approved knight Grant style
wandered aimlessly until about ten
self for daring deeds or gallant res
cues. | was beginning to think that
perhaps had on the wrong colored tie
or maybe l did not look sufficiently
bored, when | spied a lonely maiden.
She was little and she had an appeal
ing and pathetic look as she darted
hasty glances up and down the street
Catching sight of me, she hurried
toward me with relieved expression
"Oh please, won't you walk with
me little way?" she said. II am
frightened. l forgot my purse and had
to walk home and that big colored
man across the street has been fol-
lowing me. think he's robber. I'm
terribly frightened. l stopped under
the light here, for was afraid to go
on into the dark streets"
Now in setting out in search Of ad
venture did not have a definite idea
Of the ways and means Of making a
gallant rescue Of distressed damsel.
| had vague idea that l would say:
Back, you cur. Take that and that
that being right swing to the
point of the jaw. Whereupon the low
bred scoundrel would Stink away dis
comfited and muttering curses"
looked across the street at the big
negro, and, 10, there was the villain of
the piece all right. He looked the
part, but he did not loob as If he
would black" or take thai and that"
without generously returning the pres
ent. I thought perhaps discretion was
the better part of valor, and that duty
babe me remain by the side Of the
maiden in order to allay her fears.
told her that would wait with her
on the corner until the car came, and
then would see that she got home
safely.
Finally when a lazy car hove in
sight the girl told me that 1t was not
the right one, but l would have taken
hay wagon to get away from there,
for during the wait the burly negro
had stood watching US, probably plot
ting how best he could overcome me.
Explaining to the girl that had moth
ing to defend myself with except my
light walking stick, l suggested that
we take this car until we had left the
negro behind, when we could get off
and wait for the proper one. This we
did, although by so doing had to pay
an extra fare.
When the girl was free from the fear
of the negro noticed how attractive
and interesting she became. In fact |
was looking forward to a future &C.
quaintance based on the service had
that night rendered and was thinking
that my search for adventure was
great success; but when we reached
her home there was a greater fall than
that of Humpty Dumpty.
Wont you come in?" she said. Il
want to have my husband thank you
and pay you back the carfare." Both
Of which he did, thanking me in
sonorous tones and handing me
nickel with great grace and impress
siveness. And that was the end of the
adventure.
But / have figured out since then
that in unnecessary car rides to and
from his house and in changing cars
had spent 25 cents; and he gave me
nickel.