Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-20

presently. CHANGING at him bashfully.
why don't ycu get married."
If thought | could set the right
kind Of n woman" SIMON s,ammcred,
IN woman like you. now The bed
and mattress fairly rose In the air
Simeon turned his heal aud coughed
violently.
"Oh. Mr.. Yates" broke IN Miss Cul-
len. blushlng becomingly III th ought
that you would have that would
make you Il good wife She dropped
her sparkling eyes groundward The
feather bed shook with renewed en-.
crgy
but thought you said that you and
the deacon began Simeon
"Oh. no." Miss Cullen Interrupted.
II only meant that the deacon wanted
To marry me. Why. Mr. Yates. you've
no idec how that persistln old hypo-
critic has pestered me-" The bedding
experienced II sudden terrific upheuval
Simeon acted as II he were going TO
explode why. II had let him
honestly believe be would have got
down on his knees. know amt ~
young as | once was. but reckon
know man when | see one. Now.
you. Simeon Again she glanced at
him shyy.
We'll. then" said Simeon. his eyes
twinkling III should ask you to mar
ry me would you promise 10"
"o-h. Simeon" blushed Miss Cullen
softly. "I-I-yes. | believe | would.
Simeon
Would you promise" continued Sim
con. pinchinl himself TO keep from
laughing aloud when he saw something
under the feather bed behaving sean
daiously would you promise to sick
your dog on that old ldjit OF Dea.
con Partridge II he hangs around here
any more
No sooner had he uttered those
words than from the midst of that pile
of household necessities there came
the visible indications of terrific
storm. followed by the sub lued but
unmistakable sound of ripping cloth.
and the next second feather bed mat
tress and deacon arose In concert. and
there. In the astonlshed presence of
Miss Cullen. stood Partridge. his arms
and legs tangled In the environments
Of blue striped ticking and his head
aud shoulders covered with n specklei
coating Of downy feathers Feathers
protruded from his eyes: feathers vi
brated on the end Of his nose: feath-
crs waved mnjcstically from the tips
OF his ears. He couldn't see or hear
or speak for feathers He could scarce
ly breathe for feathers.
Pooh. pooh. pooh" he pulled. blow.
Ing great lunches of feathers from
1 his mouth. "Ahchoo. Ahchc-oo." he
sneezed The tears were running down
his face. making the feathers stick the
/ closer To his scarlet cheeks
Miss Cullen sprang TO her feet press
ed her trembling hands To her eyes
! and shrleked
We'll. we'll" said Simeon. regarding
him with overmasterlng hlarity.
We'll. well. this is the first time ever
see partridge rnnnln' around half
! picked Say why don't you 90 ont lie
hind the barn and SINCE yourself:'
The deacon could not speak He
could not do anything but open and
shut his mouth like n chicken with the
| gapes and go cut. cut. cut"
"Why, he thinks he's an old scttin'
hen" exclaimed Simeon. eying him
wonderngy. shouldn't wonder but
he'll be scratchin' up your flower bed
next Miss Cullen Say" he added to
| the perspiring deacon. why don't you
| fly NJ In tree and 90 TO roost again."
Il | didn't come here 10 lie laughed
at" whlmpered Partridge. extricating
himself from the ticking and nearly
crying with Indignation Il came here
to call on Miss Cullen"
Huh" replied Simeon. pressing his
hands against his quivering sides and
regarding the other with Hustcrlty
Huh. dye reckon Miss Cullen hasn't
anything TO do but to entertain oyster
riches? Why don't you run away some
where's and stick your head IN the
sandt'
Il tell you | amt goln' 10 stand here
and be insutcd by no squatty old hip
pypotamouse." shrllled the deacon an
gritty.
'Ruther be hlppypotamouse than TO
be featherweight." snapped Simeon.
III you're SO blame brave. why don't
you flap your wings and crow: Why
don't YOU let folks know that you're
Shanghai that's not afeard OF anything
In the barnyard even II your plnfeath-
ers amt all grown out:''
I'm a man OF peace Brother Yates,
replied Partridge meekly. I'm an
elder In the church, and | don't want
to get mad. and | don't want To
swear
MAY be that you're turnin to an an
gel" retOrted Simeon doubtfully. but
| you look to me more Ike domlnicker
that's too thin TO bile and too tough TO
fry. Anyway. you ought to know that
Miss Cullen's front yard amt no place
for poultry show"
Got as much right here as you have,