Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-12-23
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PICKLER

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thanks 10 Sir OHiiaume. ! have made
maHt eseellehi friends"
Seems ~ fus. nv lad. NJ he's max
w. q pretty piehln' out n ven"
WY. be- has introduced me 10 no
aud Of hfatolass people. and ~ 40
ioin The boaid ~ his new company !
shall be- certain ~ meet with many
more There II dfan Ut the pros
pprius dad F." said he handlhl the 20.
per 10 his father what do You think
~ zee"
Wen, I don't know much about
pro- paansoa an shares an slch things
Z Plaalea IL mosc IN ny line
dad. wish you wouldn't drag the
shop ~ al every turn. Your business
was u success aud you have right
20 be pfoud Of H. Hut there Is no
reason that your mouth should be al.
ways fun Of"
Pickles. eh? lIa. ha! Wei. p'r'aps
not. But it's natural. after all, TO
think of old friends. But let's look
at your prospectus. Hyacinths, Lin.
|
This company is formed to take up con.
cessions for the collection of bulbs
from the battlefelds of South Africa.
Managing director, Sir Cullen 'Awks'
leigh.
"Oh, yes; It sounds very iine. But
is 1t any good? VIII it pay?"
"Sir Guillaume assures me there is
money In 1t. I've promised to take
1000 shares, dad, and the object OF
the baronet's visit is to induce you to-
take up similar number and jointhe
board. But whichever way you de-
eide, | want you to be especially nice
to Sir Guillaume and his daughter.
You don't mean to say that he's
bringing his daughter here? Is she
in the bulb business, too?"
Dad, Alicia is lady. | love her to
abstraction, and so will you when you
see her. She is the most beauti-
full"
"Umph! 'Andsome is as andsome
does What about your old sweet
! heart, Polly? Have you spoke to
Polly? Have you told her of this en-
gagement?"
"Why-er-no, not yet" said Bob,
uneasily. Il have not had chance"
You'll have one of my roses, won't
you, nunky, dear?" said Polly, entering
from the garden. "There-isn't 1t
beauty? But what's the secret?"
why, the fact is, my dear, said her
uncle, with some hesitation. Bob has
something important to say"
What is it, Bob?" she asked; but,
unheeding the panied look upon her
| face, he hurried from the room.
In mighty bad humor was Peter Pep.
| percorn when Bob, accompanied by
Sir Guillaume and his daughter en-
, tered and said: Let me introduce
you Alicia-Sir Guillaume-this Is my
father
The pictures are nice, amt they?"
said Peter ''Rcal lie paintin's. every
one of EN-"
1.-The old mans a fool"
by the way, Sir Guillaume, said
Bob, 81 have already spoken to MY
father concerning the bulbs"
"Ah!" said Peter "Talkin' of bulbs,
Miss 'Awksleigh, while you're in the
garden, just make Bob show you our
onions. We've got the nobbiest lot
Of"
Onions" said Alicia, with a shud-
der. "Malodorous, vulgar abomina-
| tons"
"Halloa, dad" said Bob, entering
hastily; here you are. Here's wire
| for you"
Peter stood with his head sunken
upon his breast and his hands thrust
deep into his breaches pockets.
The telegram had read: "Interna-
tional suspended payment Utter col
lapse"
With a suppressed oath Bob crushed
the telegram in his hand and strobe
| to the mantelpiece, where he stood,
his head resting on his hands, the pic
| ture of despair.
Sir Guillaume gave his daughter
significant glance. Come, Alicia. my
DEAR" said he, moving toward the
door. 81 think we had better with
draw"
Ruined! Ruined!" cried Bob. as
he flung himself into a chair.
Who's ruined?" asked Polly, enter
ing at that moment. 'Why--Bob-
uncle-what's the matter?"
Read 1t there" said he, handing her
| the crumpled telegram.
Slowly she smoothed 1t out and read
the fatefui words. Then, brushing the
tears from her eyes, she cried. hope
fully. Never mind, Bob. You are
young; you can make fresh start. |
have a little money-not much-only
81 900 granny left me; but it is yours
IL you will take it-every penny"
The young man vouchsafed no an
swer, and Polly was turning sadly
away when Peter, crossing to his sons
side, said: Bob, amt your eyes open
YETI"
"Yes, dad, they are" he cried.
Swinging up. They are, to my own
fclly. | have been blinded hitherto
Ldazzled by outward show. Polly. dear.
can you forgive me?"
Il forgive you, Bob. all have to for
give. There's my hand"
Back to the pickle tubs-eh, dad?"'
aA1of hft of ~ NV lad Rut atnca