Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1908-06-18
a SHAFT TT R ID
DR.: Am
BY Horace Seymour Keller.

Eli Pivins was new to the city,
but he had a purpose to put forth.
Approaching a 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 show, friend?'
do l look much like a wiredancer,
a juggler or a clown in a pantymine?
| mean place where man O stand
in in the community can look the list
over, make a choice, plank down the
rhino an take his birdie hum, see?
Know such a store?"
What you mean is the bureau of
information"
Perhaps; but I can furnish all the
furnitoor needed. What | want is
somethin in the line O. kaliker with
heft, length O reach an good stayin'
wind, see9 Grace an 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 l put my eyes on the
| proper sort"
Il think | see. Try that place over
| there. Likely you can find the correct
| shade of 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 snugly arranged room with
fine rolltop desk at one side. He stood
| there twirling his hat nervously as he
gazed at the very prettiest creature in
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 a word. His tongue Glove
| to the roof of his mouth, his feet
seemed as if they weighed ton each,
he knew that his beard had never
Il
stump.
The fluffy hair that rolled up from
that alabaster brow sent a sob into his
throat every time he glanced at it.
Suddenly while he was in mild state
of insanity musical voice told him
to be seated He fell with thud into
q chair, feeling positive that he was in
in ha
of tbs prettiest birds.
"B'gosh." 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's?''
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 its 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:
II take it you have business with
me this morning
We'll, l have l don't have to look
no further, that's all. l thought I'd
have long an lonesome hunt afore
5 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 1 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. Yel
hair an eyes an the hull dern things
about you hit me just to a 7. l an
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 with my
prize"
You seem rather particular as te
the personal qualities of the servant
| you would hire"
!, Servant nuthin, nom. She's my
queen O. diamonds, hearts an the hui
pack. When'll you be ready to tro
Q hum with me an make the farm {
t garden O PARADISE"
Did you not come here for hiret
help?"
Not much. 1 need nice. leetle
clingin' wifey-"
3 You have struck the wrong place
"Lordy. An you are not in the
market?"
Not since five years ago; goot
morning"
Eli went away with sob in his
throat, and spinach lowered
= st. Peters at Rome.
From the beginning of the founda