The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-07-30

1
| 'rooH. rooH. rooRi" HR ruvrEp.
ping from side 20 side like disabled
rudder.
go II. deacon, Go II, dogr' yelleC
Uncle Simeon, Jumping up and dowr
and swinging his old felt hat Go II
blame ye. go itr'
Uncle Simeon leaned against the rem
nant Of the fence and shook II TIL u
squeaked. He held his two pudgy
hands against his ample sides and
rolled his eyes In misery.
won't somebody please come and
make me stop laughin'f" he yelled. III
they don't I'm goln' 10 die. The dea'
con-the dogl I'll blow up and bust.
can't never live long enough to get
through laughin'. They'll have to post
pone my funeral till | stop laughin'. !
never knowed anybody could move
their legs as fast as the deacon did.
I-I-he-he" His strength gave out,
and he sank, gurgllng heap, upon the
sidewalk.
When finally he arose the dog was
crawling under the fence, a ragged
piece OF black cloth In his jaws. At
sight Of II Simeon was thrown into an
other spasm OF mirth, from which he
had not entirely recovered when he
reached Miss Cullen'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 Culen" shout
ed Simeon. II was wonderin' have
you seen Deacon Partridge today,
mum?"
Miss Cullen's brow darkened. 'No,
I haven't" she said. "He promised to
help me beat carpet, but he hasn't
come"
well, num-" giggled Simeon, "if
you'll call your dog believe you'll Sc
cure circumstantial evidence Of the
deacon's good Intentions"
But Miss Cullen's deafness prevented
her catching the drift OF the remark.
Anyway she replied, aggrieved, ut
seems to me that II man won't keep
his promise to a woman before he mar
ries her he won't do II afterward.'
That's 30. num-" answered Simeon
"But II you'll let 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 In, Mr.. Yates" she
said. beaming smllingly upon him. Il
appreciate your kindness very much"
Don't mention It. num-" gurgled
Simeon. "Now. II you'll just show
me-
"Well, first" she said, gazing into bis
eyes affectionately, there's feather
bed upstairs, II you'll throw It out the
winder for me-"
Up the steps went Simeon, but when
be reached the top he heard some one
knocking on the front door. Glancing
out the window. he saw Deacon Par
fridge on the stoop below gazing un-
easily about and acting more nervous
than otherwise.
Catching up the feather bed, Simeon
pushed 1t through the opening and
chuckled to himself as he saw 1t fall
squarely upon the deacon's head and
bear him to the ground. In another
instant heavy mattress had follow
ed It.
"Now, Miss Cullen" observed Sine
on when he had gone downstairs again
and opened the door, III you'll come
and sit on the stoop and rest, mum,
rlr'- He noticed with satisfaction
that something was wriggling desper.
atsly under the feathers.
"Oh. you are SO considerate, Mr..
Yates" chirruped Miss Cullen. follow.
ing him out OF doors. "Some men are
10 thoughtless Of others comfort
Now. do you know" she added. setting
herself on a step with her back toward
the bedclothes, Il believe that the
deacon wouldn't care how hard his
wife worked Just so be had good
clothes to wear and plenty Of nice
things to eat" The feather bed was
convulsively.
"well, Miss Cullen" began Simeon.
'T've always thought that II had a
wife I'd treat her like wife ought to
b. treated"
Miss Cullen coughed softly and drop
ped her eyes "Mr. Yates" she asked
presently. slancing at him bashfully.
why don't you get marriedT
III thought l could get the right
kind Of a woman" Simeon stammered,
"a woman like you, now The bed
and mattress fairly rose In the air.
Simeon turned his head and coughed
violently.
"Oh, Mr.. Yates" broke in Miss Cni-
en-, blushing becomingly, III ! thought
that you would have-that ! would
make you a good wife, She dropped
Der sparkling eyes groundward. The
feather bed shook with renewed en-.
srgy.
"But thought you said that you and
be Deacon began Simeon
"Oh. MOI" Miss Cullen interrupted
I only meant that the deacon wanted
o marry me. Why. Mr. Yates, you've
10 idee how that pcrsistin' old hypo- ,
rite has pestered me- The bedding
experienced sudden terrific npheaval.
simeon acted ms II he were going TO
explode. Why. II | had let him |
believe he would have got
lown on his knees | know / aint as I
1oung as ! once was. but l reckon
In0w a man when I see one Now.
'ou. Simeon Again she glanced at
I'm shyly.
well. thea" said Simeon, bis eyes
winkling. III should ask you TO mar I
y me would you promise to-
-uh. Simeon" blushei Miss Cullen !
oftiy T-i-yes. ! believe would .
'ineon"
"would you promise continued sim Z
on, plnchins himself 10 keep from I
suThing aloud when be saw something .