Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-03-26
Natural Gas
And =, sA,X
Miranda ''"r
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

on and perspiring profusely, was bor-
ing an artesian well on his farm.
Suddenly the drill was forced out OF
the ground. There followed a great
pun or vapor that had the odor OF bad
| eggs and sulphur mixed together. Mr.
Perkins had struck a natural ras well
month later Mrs. Perkins was m
ing to him:
samuel. remember that we smell
our name P-a-r-k-i-n-s: also that q
| month hence we sail for Eurona
We've got money. and we've cot n
daughter Miranda. We are going To
give her chance
"A chance for what7'' asked the h,,s-
band. who was trying to get used 10
wearing a collar and a coat around the
! house.
To get polished UP ana 10 marry
so@e one worthy OF her You needn't
SIT there thinking that a few weeks
ago Miranda was hanging out the
clothes. We've struck natural eaa
and that makes a difference. We sail
In four weeks"
L did kinder think we might 90 TO
Niagara Falls Tor week or so-- he
gan Samuel as he rubbed his chin.
what's Niagara Falls to people with
money? What are they to Miranda ?
samuel Parkins. can't you realize that
you struck gasr'
81 know l did"
I'VE are climbing for the ton OF the
ladder. We can't be kept down.
Haven't you got it through your head
yet? It's Europe and polish. It's I'm.
rope and n husband for Miranda. II
them Chicago butchers can take their
daughters to Europe and marry them
or to lords and dukes, why can't we?
"lsn't natural gas just as high toned
as pork chopsf You keep a coat on
and your shoes black and get used to
looking like somebody ana leave the
rest to me-"
Mr.. Parkins would rather have sat
| on the steps Of the village and related
for the Ave hundredth time what his
emotions were when he struck gas.
but he was dragged or to Europe.
Miranda betrayed a surprising lack
or interest but Mrs. Parkins did the
thing with all her might She had ma
tive wit and observation. BY sitting
Ing as little as possible TO say the hus-
band and father made out after fash
ion.
In due time he even became inter-
ested In things. Ho became so inter-
ested that one evening after they had
been In London for n fortnight he ask
ed his wife:
Mary, are we hitting the pike oil
rightr'
Hitting the pikeI" she repeated In
scornful tones. Samuel, cut the pike
ana other things out. Miranda and me
are watching ourselves every minute.
and you want to do the same. Don't
you leave the spoon in the cup when
You drink your coffee. and don't tuck
your table napkin clear up under your
ears. IL you spoil Miranda's chances
I'll never forgive you.'
but what l want to know Is has
any Teller come around yetY' persist.
ed the husband
NO. not exactly. But I've noticed
different ones looking at her and sorter
edging around. You leavs that part OF
IL TO Us. and you tend to yours. When
ever you can. you just drop In q word
about natural gas and millions
oh, won't spoil nobody's chances.
didn't want 10 come at arst. but
now that Eve got over here I rayther
Ike 1t. Makes q. Teller feel as II he
was somebody to have q boy ready az
every turn to brush on his coat.
II guess I'd be proud to have q lard
or duke for a son-in-law. That's MI
randas lowest fgger. hain't it, She
nain't coming over here and then take
up with no hayseedY'
1t was Paris after four weeks In
London. and there was a continual i'm
provenient In the family. Miranda
and her mother picked ND as much ss
one French word a day. and the. has-
band and father left his fears behind
MIN and assumed a little swa&cer and
patrosfzing afr that sat wei on him
he had struck natural gas at home
simply by accident He reasoned that
ne might strike husband for Miranda
abroad IA the Same way. Therefore
whenever be came across any enc who
would listen to him and who couid
speak English he introduces s.ss veus
Int the conversation.
Is was always IN the plusal. Il was
never one sas well. bat half q dozen.
He also tried his best to- mako the
head waiter understand theseas oues-
Ton and II he did not succeeA enfsxely
M at least ehcited the exciarnattoa:
Gas from the ground, mea Atsss
And each well $1,eoo,o0oi How yer
must suffer with So much paoneyr'
Yes. a heap Of sufieriag. but grit
nay teeth ard,stand IT."
When Mrs. Parkins announced thsf
they Were to leave Paris Tor a resort
fn the Alps, Mr.. Parkfns Skd his on-
portunity to ask:
ANY feiier IN sight ystrs
Samuel. hain't you gos no polish ~
these last two months" demanded the
wife.
''Of course have.
Then show some OF e. No gentle
man would speak In that brutal man.
ner. I'm glad Miranda Yves not here .
Wen. has any lord or duke been
making up to herY'
Making up! Making upl. Humpbl
Mr Parkins, are you in Europe on
Texas? My daughter Miranda ,canna
be made up to. catch your mean.
ihg' however, and In order that Won
may not use any more such axurex-
sions let me say that I'm not worry
ing"
you mean
mean that We are going 10 Swift
zerland to stop for a month or moro AT
the same hotel with q lord"
by George but Won don't ynoau s<p, |