The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-02-15
HER FIRST
BEAU
A New Experience for Rannis

The rosy cheeks, cherry lips and
dark eyes of Mamie MCGEE were en-
HANGED by a real charm-a coyness Of
manner that ROBBED her youthfufinno
cence. Mamie was but 16, yet she
was not too young TO realize the dam
age done by her weakness, as she fire.
quently saw others preferred before
her. girls who were more forward
though less lovable than herself
Invite jamie to call on us, will
you, mother dearY she ventured to
ask, as the young man who had all
but won her heart. advanced toward
them.
You are too bashful. Mamie. Why
don't you do 1t yourself? | wouldn'i
be lettin' tn girls laugh at me- said
Mrs. McGee; and then, addressing
Jamie, who was approaching them, his
face beaming with good nature; Good
mornin, Mr. Mcclure How are you
this foine mornin'?"
20, I'm away VI" said James Nc
CURE Il hope you are both well.
we are real well, said Mamie.
"Shure. an you must come an see
us" said Mrs. MCGEE.
4 shall be pleased to" said he, as
he smiled roguishly at Mamie. win
this evening be soon eonugh?"
"Indade an it is, James. an tn
sooner tn better said Mrs MCGEE.
When they had reached home Nan
ME received orders from her mother
to prepare the sitting room for the oc-
casion; and the young girl made a
beautiful picture OF life's budding
flower. her sincere dutifulness beam
ing through her bouyant dilated
hopes, as she gayly tripped about and
busted and re-arranged the old pieces
of furniture in their little parlor.
At seven o'clock a gentle rap at the
door made Nannies heart beat fast
Il love him know do-and I'm
afraid he won't like me-" she was
thinking as she opened the door.
But Mr.. MCGUIRE was bright
young man, seven years her senior
aud he declared to himself, Il am in
love with a bashful beauty, and
shall make a conquest possible" Ac-
cordingly. he brought with him a
stereoscope and number of fine
views. that he might carry young
Mamie out of her elf-consciousness
with a pleasant intellectual train
ing.
Mr.. Mcclure thought 1t to his in
terests to be very close to Mamie, as
he placed the pictures and held the
scope to her eyes, and at one time he
hit her forehead little rap with the
handle Mamie placed her finger on
the spot and laughed girlishly.
But Mr.. Mcclure declared that he
would have to make the examination,
so he arose and imprinted kiss upon
the offended flesh. That's the way
we cure babies" said he And it hap.
pened that her mother who was in the
adjoining room, looked at that very
moment from over her spectacles and
through the open door. She must have
seen it, as she whispered to herself,
"Arrah phwist! aisy!"
The evening advanced. and as Mr..
Mcclure continued charming, and be.
ing charmed, Mrs. MCGEE decided that
the neighbors might be criticism
so she walked quietly into the room,
spectacles in hand, and as she did 30
the clock struck ten times, ten loud,
heavy strokes, during which time ST.
lence. reigned At the last stroke
Mrs. MCGEE said, while looking sym
pathetically upon the two young PEG.
pie, "Shure, the clock is unmannerly!'
Mr.. Mcclure threw back his head
and laughed heartily, taking 1t as a
good joke That's right, mother, "
said he, the clock does not speak
pleasantly" and continuing: Per,
haps l had better ask permission to
call you mother"
You may call me mother whenever
you like" she said
For the rest Of my life?" queried
Jamie.
Yes" said Mrs. MCGEE, "for the
rest of your life"
Then l say goodnight" and tap
ping Nannie's curly head with his hat
he said, 81 spent three of the happi
est hours Of my life with you" Bow
ing an adieu to Mrs. MCGEE he tool
his leave.
When the door closed behind him
Mamie, while looking at her mother
through wide eyes, said; Am | en-
gaged?'
Fax, an that's what they calls
it, said Mrs. MCGEE.
Georgia Mountain School.
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