Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-01-29
the DAMSEL IN
DISTRESS
By HORACE zOIIars

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 invaria-
bly, jumped out and greeted these mod
ern knights Grant.
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 time to
burn II they wished to dispose Of 1t
in that way. My position In life is
different, in fact my position is that Of
clerk at the shirt counter of depart
ment store. But am called swell
dresser" by the girls Of my acquaint-
ance, although have not acquired the
distinction of being Immediately
CARRIED" On Sunday night am as
leisurely as the idlest Of the idle rich,
and l have invested in a cane, or
rather, walking stick. l would affect
, even monocle If 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
o'clock before a chance presented it.
self for daring deeds or gallant res
cues l was beginning to think that
perhaps had on the wrong co!ored tie
or maybe did not look sufficiently
bored, when spied 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. 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 l did not have a definite idea
Of the ways and means of making a
gallant rescue of distressed damsel
/ had vague idea that I would say:
Back, you cur. Take that and that"
being a right swing to the
point Of the jaw. Whereupon the low
bred scoundrel would Stink away dis
comhted 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 look as If he
would back" or take that and that
without generously returning the pres
emit. / thought IOChaps discretion was
the better part Of valor, and that duty
bade 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 would have taken
a 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.
to the girl that had moth
Ing to defend myself with except my
light walking stick, suggested that
we take this car until we had left the
negro behind, when we could get OF
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 l
vas looking forward to . future &C
luaiptance based on the service had
hat night rendered and was thinking
hat my search for adventure was a
great success; but when we reached
Ter home there was greater fall than
hat Of Humpty Dumpty.
Wont you come int" she said. Il
want to have my husband thank you
IND pay you back the carfare." Both
u which he did, thanking me in
IonorouS tones and handing me
lickel with great grace and impress
Aveness. And that was the end Of the
adventure.
But I have figured out since then
hat In unnecessary car rides to and
rom his house ana in chanainR ears 7 |