The Meeker herald., 1908-08-22
Beware tie Wea,al.
lorisinall

olution accepting Challenge to debate
from the club Of Pocahnntas college,
an institution for young women. A
committee of three, consisting Of
Messrs. Abbott, Dexter and Purington.
was appointed to meet q similar COM
mittee Of girls, Misses Barbour, Ever
EFT and Turner, with view to arrang-
ing the terms. The president Of the
Harrington club thus addressed the
committee:
You are to understand that in en-
tering upon debate with girls We are
necessarily at disadvantage. In tho
first place 1t ID impossible to get an
awarding committee that will not give
decision In favor Of girls over men
no matter II the girls talk rubbish
from first to last. Then these creatures
are adept in their monkey ways of In
fuencing an audience. Secure provi-
sions that will insure rs fair play or
don't sign articles"
The president Of the Pocahontas club
thus addressed the committee appoint
cd to meet the men: ,Q-,.
Everybody who knows anything
about men knows that they viii take
any advantage Of woman they are per-
mitted to take. You are to steel your
selves against their flattering tongues
and agree to no terms that do not give
US an equal advantage with them. l
have been given tip that the commit
tee you are to meet are the finest look
ing, most engaging students in Har-
rington college. All have to say In
conclusion Ii Cave canem'" beware
Of the dog. .J
The committees met in q summer
house on the campus of Pocahontas
university, and Mr.. Abbott and Miss
Barbour, chairman and chairwoman Of
each respectively. began a preliminary
discussion az to the terms. Tho other
members. not being called on for their
opinions, strolled away, Mr.. Dexter
with Miss Everett, Mr.. burlington with
Miss Turner.
| Mr.. Abbott contended that the com.
mittee should consist Of men. while
Miss Barbour insisted that they should
be women. Then they agreed that 1t
should consist Of both men and wom-
en-. But since 1t must be of an unequal
number neither would give way to the
other as to whether q man or a woman
should have deciding vote. At noon
they adjourned the discussion and
gave out what has been thus far stated
Of their deliberations.
Several days passed. Every morn
Ing the committees met in the summer
house, the chairman and chairwoman
took up the discussion. while the other
members strolled away a. before to
| pass the time till the two heads should
agree upon some method.
One day the two committee heads
read q statement OF terms they had
reached to THAR colleagues. 1t was
agreed to and signed In duplicate By
each member Of the COMMITTEES. The
copies were written ON ordinary note
paper and placed in square envelopes.
Mr.. Abbott took both copies for final
reading and comparison. The same
evening he met Miss Barbour by ap-
pointment on the porch of her dormi-
tory and babe her goodby In the dark.
Taking her copy Of the terms from
his pocket, he handed 1t to her and
took his departure. Entering the house,
Miss Barbour met the president OF her
club and turned over the envelope con-
tanning the terms without looking at 1t.
The president afterward remembered
that Miss Barbour was destrait.
The next day there was meeting Of
the Pocahontas club, and the president,
arising. proceeded to read the terms.
On seeing the first word she hesitated,
frowned and then blurted 1t out:
Dearest.
A shock passed over the assemblage.
followed by burst Of laughter.
You say that you love me and yet you
unreasonably hold to your position that
the umptres shall consist Of three men
and two women. II you are 20 unytelding
now, what must I expect in the future.
| No; cannot give my heart to one who
| insists upon taking 30 unfair an advan-
| tage of our sex. Still will admit that
| / love you Just little teeny weeny bit.
| Do grant US three women to two men.
| and will love you ever 20 much.
Miss Barbour during the reading
shrank down behind her chum. but at
its conclusion arose and said:
Miss President, before sending your
committee upon its work you said,
Cave canem.' Acting on your instruc-
lions, 1 threw the dog piece Of poi
soned meat. When he handed me
my copy Of the terms he inadvertently
got hold of this letter. But I assure
you the terms are satisfactory in ev-
cry respect Here Is memorandum
copy" lr
Long and loud were the cheers that
greeted Miss Barbour upon the read
ing of the memorandum. Never was
triumph more complete. But one cir
cumstancc chilled the enthusiasm Of
Pacohontas college. Miss Turner OF the
committee was absent the next morning
from chapel, and later 1t was discov-
cred that she had eloped with and
married Mr.. Purington. She never re-
turned to college.