Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-03-11
HOW HE WEN I
He Vowed He Wouldn't Go and
See Her.

desperation, he seized the photograph
that decorated his bureau and turned
it face downward. No doubt it was
a fancy, but it seemed TO him that
the picture smiled in mingled amuse-
ment and derision.
"What?" he cried Would you?"
And snatching up the photograph,
he tore it into fragments, and threw
it into his waste basket, Immediately
thereafter throwing himself into his
easy chair and groaning in the anguish
of his mind.
Cab, my beloved ones, take heedD
Il know what I'll dol he groaned
'Ill pitch penny for it. Heads, I'll
go; tails, l won't
He Tipped penny and quickly COW
cred it with his hand, drawing a long
breath before he looked at the coin.
Tails.
There he cried THAT settles it!
l won't go!'
And as though everything was over
then, he brushed his hair with wonder
full nicely, and opening his wardrobe, |
| he drew out his other coat and
brushed that, too, though in sulky
sort of way, frowning fiercely and
pouching his lips.
Watt" he muttered, catching
"Ill cut for it. Red Ill go Black:
won't go"
He shuf1led the cards, with most
unusual care, separated the pack,
groaned heavily, and looked at the
card he had cut
The nine of spades.
THERE" he cried Now it is set
tied! Now l won't go"
And grooming again, he opened
paper bag and took out two new
neckties, one OF green silk, one of
blue. After torment of comparison
he selected the green one and draped
it around his collar as though the fate
of empires depended upon the beauty
of the effect.
4 know what III do he said.
catching sight of the pincushion. IN
just count these pins. If it's an even
number, Ill go If its odd, won't
60
One, two three fifteen F.. . :.
SIXTEEN ScN euleSu.
There" he muttered, wiping his
brow, after he had kneaded the pin
cushion in vain for another pin, now
| won't go,
= 1t suddenly seemed to him that the
= green tie was not as becoming as the
blue one. He made the change with
: feverish fingers, dashed into his coat
! and hat, groaned again
And out he went.
!. (Ah, my beloved ones, take heedD
y Il know what I'll dol he muttered
as he came to crossing. If l can get
over to the other sidewalk in less than
ten steps, III go. If it takes more
d than ten steps won't go"
p And though he strobe over the cross
q ing with giant strides, almost iniurins
a himself in his unbiased endeavor, ht
e couldn't make it in less than ll-no
IS for the life of him.
II Now" he growled fercely TO him
ID self Now l won't go,
lie Setting his teeth, he charged into
IS florists shop and bought dozel
IS roses. He laid these across his arm
Of strobe out again and moodily conten
ii plated the night.
lie If that car stops, I'll so, he NUT
'e tered, If it doesn't stop, l won't go.
N 1t didn't stop.
r. THERE" he groaned, as though il
d, relief Now it is settled"
lie Whereupon he entered candy sho
I'd and bought pound of the best.
d. Now, Ill just walk one block thi
ZIG. a I,
is I'll turn right around and go home. >
er So he walked one block that way
lit One more" he said
an So he walked one more.
Now another" he said
So he walked another
Now this one, he said
"a But in the middle of this one h
~ stopped and looked at a certain hous
aa scowlng at it spitefully and pouchin
~ his lips again.
IN go up the steps, he muttere'
:, 'and come right down asain-just
w. show myself can do it,
~ At the top of the steps he steppe
- into the vestibule placed the flower
"a and candy on the floor and drew til
penny out Of his pocket
90 Heads I'll ring the bell said h
-, Tails | won't"
Tais it was.
Best two out of three" he said.
Tails again
Best three out of five"
he Tails again.
of Whereupon he picked up the cane
Sc and the flowers, turned around al
pc rang the bell
SO The door opened He entered al
I'm toward midnight when the door l
ir- opened and he reappered, a maidt
M kissed him with an unmistakable a
on of ownership, and whispered to hi
that he was her lion-hearted knight.
All NV beloved ones take heed f