Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-06-24
A SHAFT Err ED
DREAM
BY Horace seymour Keller.

Eli Pivins was new to the city,
but he had a purpose to put forth.
Approaching policeman he asked;
Know of place where Teller can
find gals put up to pick an choose
frum?"
"a few: mean theatrical agency?
Going to start a show, friend?'
do look much like a wire-dancer
a iuggler or a clown in a pantymine?
mean place where a man o stand
in in the community can look the list
over, makea choice, plank down the
rhino an take his birdie hum, see?
Know such store?"
What you mean is the bureau OF
information"
! Perhaps; but can furnish all the
furnitoor needed What | want is
somethin in the line 0 kaliker with
| heft length O. reach an good stayin
wind, see? Grace am beauty don't
cut no ice up on the farm when milkin'
time comes an when the hired yelp
fur grub, see? I'm liaber to be married
agin as soon as put my eyes on the
proper sort
Il think ! see. Try that place over
! there Likely you can find the correct
shade Ct goods you are after Luck to
you, old man"
With smile the bluecoat turned
away and sauntered down the street,
while Eli Pivins crossed over and en-
tered the doorway He was ushered
: into a snugly arranged room with
fine roll OPP desk at one side. He stood
| there twirling his hat nervously as he
gazed at the very prettiest creature In
J the line of feminine divinities he had
ever met. He felt young and boyish
: and was only sorry he had neglected
, to have his beard trimmed and hair
! cut before leaving the farm. Little
/ thrills OF hot and cold flashes passed
up and down his backbone as a pair
of blue eyes now and then looked
| over the top of the desk and nailed
, him to the floor He couldn't move,
! let alone say word. His tongue Glove
to the roof of his mouth, his feet
: seemed as if they weighed a ton each,
he knew that his beard had never
looked so much IKE spinach-he was
a stump.
The fluffy hair that rolled up from
that alabaster brow sent a sob into his
throat every time he glanced at 1t
Suddenly while he was in a mild state
d insanity musical voice told him
to be seated He fell with thud into
chair, feeling positive that he was in
paradise and in the company of one
/ Of tbs prettiest birds.
/ "Bgosh!" I've hit it, sure pop, the
fust time. Cricky. but I'm the lucky
cuss! Wonder if it breathes, eats,
walks an is like other human bein'sT
Eli muttered under his heard as he sat
dumfounded and stunned.
Finally after another short but pain
full pause the fair vision rose and re-
vealed itself to the delighted Eli in
all it's grace and lovely personification
of female beauty as it stepped from be-
hind the desk Her smile almost
drove him mad, and he gasped long
| and deeply when she said in voice
that almost robbed him of his senses
and sent thrills of rapture to the very
| ends of his toes:
Il take it you have business with
me this morning"
well have. / don't have to look
no further, that's ALL l thought Id
! have a long an lonesome hunt afore
l hit the proper sorter goods | wanted.
| But luck is mine an the hunt is over.
! I'm on the right track fust pop, by
cricky! | thought | wanted heft, long
| reach an good stayin wind. That
dream has vanished like frost in
] June. Grace an beauty is the proper
| caper arter all on the farm. Yer
I hair an eyes an the hull dern things
| about you hit me just to 7. | am
| ready to put my money on the star
green, play my shuttle, sign the gree
ment an run long hum just as fast
as them cars'll take us wuth my
| prize"
You seem rather particular as to
the personal qualities of the servant
you would hire"
Servant nuthin, nom. She's my
queen O. diamonds, hearts an the hull
pack. When'H you be ready to trot
! hum with me an make the farm q
garden O paradfse?"
did you not come here for hired
help?"
Not much. I need nice, yeetle,
clingin' WHEY
"You have struck the wrong place.
"Lordy! An you are not in the
market?"
Not since five years ago; good
morning"
Eli went away with sob in his
| throat, and spinach lowered.