Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-20

"PooH, room. PooH!' HE PuPFED.
ping from side TO side like disabled
rudder
60 IT, deacon Go Il. dog" yelled
Uncle simeon jumping UP and down
ana swinging his old felt hat Go 1t.
blame ye 70 IT,
Uncle Simeon leaned against the rem
nant OF the fence and shook II till II
squeuked lie held his two pudgy
hands against his ample sides aud
rolled his eyes In misery.
Won't somebody please come and
make me stop laughin' z" he yelled. IF
they don't I'm goin' to die. The dea
con the dog, I'll blow up and bust
can't never live long enough to get
through laughln They'll have to post
pone my funeral till | stop laughin'.
never knowed anybody could move
their legs as fast as the deacon did.
II he he" His strength gave out.
and he sank. gurgling heap, upon the
sidewalk
When finally he arose the dog VS.
crawling under the fence. ragged
piece Of black cloth In his jaws. At
sight of It Simeon was thrown into an
other spasm OF mrth, from which he
had not entirely recovered when he
reached Miss Cullcn's door
His knock was answered by the lady
In person She was OF uncertain age,
Inclined To be angular and decidedly
deaf
Good afternoon. Miss Cullen shout
ed Simeon. Il was wonderin' have
YOU seen Deacon Partridge today,
NUM-"
Miss Cullcn's brow darkened. NO.
I haven't" she said He promised TO
help me beat n carpet. but he hasn't
come"
We'll, mum" giggled simeon. 'if
youN call Your dog believe you'll Sc
cure clrcumstantial evidence OF the
deacons good intentions
But Miss Cullen'S deafness prevented
her catching the drift Of the remark.
Anyway" she replied. aggrieved, 1T
seems TO me that II man won't Keep
his promise TO woman before he mar
ries her he won't do It aftcrwnrd."
THAT'S so. num-" answered Simeon.
But # you'll lei me help you I'll be
glad TO do IT, I've just got To beat
carpet or somcthin' TO keep my mind
OF that mans sprintin' abilities or I'll
be physical wreck"
Then come right ill., Mr.. Yates" she
said. beaming smllingly upon him. Il
appreciate your kindness very much.
Don't mention H. mum" gurgled
simeon. Now. II you'll just show
me-
well. first" she said. gazing into his
eyes alfectIonately. there's feather
bed upstairs. If you'll throw II out the
winder for me"
Up the steps went Simeon. but when
he reached the top he heard some one
Knocking on the front door. CHANGING
out the window. he saw Deacon Par
fridge on the stoop below gazing I'M
easily about and acting more nervous
than otherwise.
Catching up the feather bed. Simeon
pushed IL through the opening and
chuckled to himself as he saw II fall
squarely upon the deacon's head and
bear him 10 the ground. In another
instant heavy mattress had follow
ed t.
Now. Miss Cullen" observed Slime
on when he had gone downstairs again
and opened the door. M you'll come
and sit on the stoop and rest. mum.
rn"- He noticed with satisfaction
that something was wrlggling desper-
ately under the feathers
"Oh. you are so considerable. MI
Yates" chirruped Miss Cullen. follow
ing him out Of doors Some men are
So ,houghtless Of others comfort.
Now. do you know" she added. setting
herself on step with her back toward
the hedclothes. Il believe that the
deacon wouldn't care how hard his
wife worked Just So he had good
clothes 90 wear and plenty OF nice
things 20 eat" The feather bed was
moved convulslvely
We'll. Miss Cullen" began Simeon.
1--WE always thought that II had a
wife I'd treat her like wife ought TO
be- treated"
Miss Cullen coughcj softly aud drop
ped her eyes. "Mr. Yates" she asked