The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-28
TRe
Matchmaking
of Bobby.
BY LULU JOHNSON.


With smile of glorious anticipation
Illuminating his chubby face, Bobby
trotted up the street as fast as pair
Of very fat and very little legs would
carry him. He was going to see Dick
Brant Next to visiting Alice May
ling this was his greatest treat.
Richard Brant could not make amaz-
ing cookies and preserves like Miss
Mayling, but he could tell stories OF
Indians and grizzlies and other crea-
lures dear to the small boys heart.
Miss Mayling's stories carried morals
and were about little boys who were
SO very good that Bobby found them
extraordinarily embarrassing. Had 1t
not been that the Mayling cakes were
| as good as her young heroes Bobby
would not have been frequent caller
on Alice Mayling.
This afternoon as he was warming
his dimpled hands before the open fire
he regarded with secret awe the def
fashion in which Brant rolled himself
II cigarette with one hand. Brant had
been a plainsman until he had run
across a mine while he was looking
for stray cattle, and he could throw a
rope and talk real Indian talk.
81 looked for you yesterday" said
Dick Brant gravely as he sank into
chair on the opposite side of the fire.
place.
81 was seeing Miss Mayling." ex-
planned Bobby. "She makes cake on
Thursdays"
"And you deserted me because Miss
Mayling was making caker' cried Dick
solemnly. In reality. though he used
mock pathos. he was little jealous Of
Miss Mayling's popularity with his lit
tie chum. Somehow Bobby seemed to
Brant the most sincere friend he had
made in the big eastern city.
Cake is nice just out of the oven"
explained Bobby. "She always bakes
a little cake for me- and of course
have to go and eat it."
81 suppose so,' assented Dick, "but
l was very lonesome yesterday"
"Pm sorry" said Bobby, with
prompt penitence and troubled face.
wouldn't it be nice" he added, IF |
could go to see you and Miss Mayling
at the same time? You could tell me
stories and she could bake cake"
He stared into the fire, lost in rap
ture at the thought of this most valua-
bic combination. Dick looked scared
and blushed, He was little used to
feminine society, and a suggestion like
that. even from Bobby, startled him
, Besides, he had been secretly studying
Miss Maylng from afar.
: 'Then you wouldn't be lonesome any
more" resumed Bobby, the vast at
fractions of his good idea growing on
him, mot even if didn't come and
see you, cause then you and she would
have each other. But of course l would
= come to see you" he added quickly.
at would be awful nice"
81 guess it would" assented Dick q
little nbsently.
Then why don't your" demanded
= Bobby, with engaging directncss.
ITO begin with, l don't know her"
, explained Dick. "You see. a man has
to know lady before he can call on
her, and I've never met Miss May
! ling"
When Bobby finally trotted away he
was thinking deeply. 1t was absurd
that his best man should not know
: Miss Mayling.
At the next baking day at Miss May.
ling's the thought was revived. and
with Il denial that meant immense de-
termination to him he obtained per.
mission to take his small spice cake
: home. AS soon as he. was out of her
sight he carried it II Brant. his fat
: legs speeding wonderfully.
"Ain't it fne|' he demanded eagerly
when he had watched Brant devour
the last spicy morsel. not without envy
, that almost assumed spoiguant de
gree.
Simply great" admitted Brant, with
enforced enthusiasm. Il tell you. Bob
by, the woman who made that cake is
n wonder Of Il cook"
, Bobby beaTed his professional salts
faction. II thought you'd like it," he
said confidently. she makes nicer
cakes than that sometimes. I'll bring
you another when she makes fruit
cake"
"Dou't do It," advised Brant sni
ingly IF the fruit cake IS as good as
this I'm liable to abduct her and force
her to bake cake for me for the rest OF
her life"
whats abduct? demanded Bobby
When the word had been explained t.
, him he wrinkled his pudey brows. But
. If another deep idea had come to him.
, as that contorton would seem to de
! note, it remained secret in his fat
breast Give us an Indian story" he
demanded
: "All right, SON." said Dick as he
stretched himself out in his easy chain
and prepared to entertain his small
guest with the story of how Chief
Spotted Panther carried off his Indiar
bride from the camp of a hostile tribe
He was unusually graphic in bis
story telling. for as he went on he be
t, gan to imagine that he was Spotted
l. Panther and Miss Mayling was the
o Indian maid. Thus sadly had the un
principled suggestions of the scheminl
g Bobby contaminated Dick Brants good
manners But 1t must be admitted ID
his favor that n was NOT tho caka hui