The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-04-02
FLIR TIN G.

say. he was married up to the stand
low and knew it. He had married a
woman u few years more ancient than
he was because she had few more
dollars than he He had u mOther-in-
law. a slight, well preserved old lady,
who had a marvellous way of making
herself up and of appearing rosy and
kittenish. She suspected that Tim was
fond of other ladies-that be was In
clined to pass himself off as a single
man-and her heart yearned to prove
it.
Her surmises had already awakened
the jealousy of her daughter. and it
had of late been so warm" at his
house that they didn't have to burn
half as much coal as they formerly
did.
But Tim was a perSevering cuss. and
whenever he felt himself at a safe dis
tance from home he would unbend
himself and be happy. for happy be
was when he could find somebody to
fiirt with.
One pleasant afternoon Tim and a
party of boon companions. dressed In
the height of fashion. were meander-
Ing through the winding and devious
ways Of the park when a gay and
dashing creature swept past them,
casting back cOquettish smile that
might easily have been interpreted into
an invitation If either of them saw fit
to take it up
Tim was the first to speak. for be
was an ardent youth.
"By jingoes. but she's a sumner. |
say. fellows. just see me sail in and
capture that charmer"
They agreed to wait and see him do
it.
He turned and followed her She
didn't appear TO be extra anxious to
escape him, and 50 it was not long be-
fore he overlook her Raising his hat,
he saluted her
She replied artfully. and in few
moments he seemed to have captured
the fair creature for sure His friends
followed slowly behind to see how it
would eventuate.
They reached shady seat. and. rest
ing there, they kept up the same ami
mated conversation that they started.
Tim was somewhat taken. Exactly
how she looked or how Old she was he
could not tell, for she had one of those
illusiOnary wells over her face. and
tlnV To hof
many man has been taken in with
out going behind them.
The result was an appointment for
the next day at the same place. Then
they parted. and Tim joined his COM
panions in high glee They were dis
posed to doubt his complete conquest,
and so it was arranged that they
should be on hand the next day to see
for themselves.
The next day found him on the spot
dressed with exceeding care. His beau
tlful unknown was also on hand, and
ere long they We're engaged in earnest
and loving conversation again.
ooh, you naughty men,. sighed she.
You are always capturing the hearts
Of US poor, trusting women. and we
are always the sufferers How do |
know but that you are a married man
belong to auOther?"
What! Can you think me guilty of
so much deceit?"
You know. we are strangers"
"What signifies it? Fate brought US
together, and We cannot deceive each
other. | love YOU"
"Oh, sir, it is impossible!
"Tll swear it,
"And you are not married?"
"No, no, my dear Fate has reserved
us for each other. Until met you
never loved"
"Oh. oh, how my poor heart goes
for | feel so giddy. Here, let US go
into this arbor."
"Anywhere in the world with you.
dearest" he whispered as she took his
extended arm and they started for an
arbor near by.
Here they again seated themselves,
and Tim began to pour forth the same
volume of poetry that he had used on
so many other occasions. One of her
little gIoved hands he took in his.
while his arm gradually stole around
her shapely and unyieding waist.
At this moment deeply veiled lady
came up behind them. and Toms
friends were just passing through the
arbor to see how we'll he was getting
along.
His charmer called to the veiIed
lady.
"Come here, Mary. and just hear
how sweet he talks"
He turned toward the intruder who
had in the meantime raised her veil,
| and, half rising, he confronted his wife.
He felt as though ten pound shell
had exploded in his hat He glanced
from his wife to his betrayer, who had
also raised her veil, and who of all peo-
pie In the world should it be but his
| mother-in-law!
His friends vanished amid the most
bOisterous laughter and his mother-ln-
law reached for one ear while his wife
took hold of the other. and without a
word they started with him in the di-
rection of home.
| Poor Tim Julip! He is now broken
hearted and melancholy man. He
avoids the park, and the places that
knew him once would require an intro
duction to him now. A wig replaces
his late Hyperion curls. and it is gen.
orally understood among his friends
that his flirting days are over.
Daniel Up to Date.
| TIroO,U ora6 6va u,oS fold Tho oka