The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-04-23
Natural Gas
And 3, MARY
Miranda l'''f
Copyrighted, 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

ing al drteSldn well on MS Idrm.
Suddenly the drill was forced out Of
the ground. There followed a great
pun Of vapor that had the odor of bad
eggs and sulphur mixed together. Mr..
Perkins had struck natural gas we'll
A month later Mrs. Perkins was say
ing to him:
Samuel, remember that we spell
eur name P-a-r-k-in-s; also that a
month hence we sail for Europe
We've got money, and we've got a
daughter Miranda. We are going to
give her chance"
"a chance for wbat?" asked the hus-
band, who was trying to get used to
wearing collar and coat around the
house.
ITO get polished up and to marry
some 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 gas,
and that makes a difference. We sail
IN four weeks"
III did kinder think we might 60 to
Niagara Falls for a week or so'- be-
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 gasp
II know l did"
"We are climbing for the top 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 Eu-
rope and husband for Miranda. If
chem Chicago butchers can take their
daughters to Europe and marry them
OF to lords and dukes, why can't we?
isn't natural gas just as high toned
as pork chops? You keep a coat on
and your shoes black and get used TO
hooking like somebody. and leave the
rest to me-
Mr.. Parkins would rather have sat
on the steps Of the village and related
for the five hundredth time what his
emotions were when he struck gas,
but he was dragged off to Europe.
Miranda betrayed a surprising lack
Of interest, but Mrs. Parkins did the
tive wit and observation. BY sitting
n a corner most of the time and hav-
Ing as little as possible to say the hus-
band and father made out after a fash
ION.
In due time he even became inter
ested In things. He became so inter-
ested that one evening after they had
been in London for a fortnight he ask
ed his wife:
MARY, are we hitting the pike all
rightY'
Hitting the pikew she repeated in
scornful tones. Samuel, cut the pike
and 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. If you spoil Miranda's chances
I'll never Forgive you"
But what / want to know is has
any Teller come around yet?" persist
ed the husband.
mo, not exactly. But I've noticed
different ones looking at her and sorter
edging around. You leave that part Of
1t to us, and you tend to yours. When
ever you can, you just drop in word
about natural gas and millions"
"Oh, won't spoil nobody's chances.
j didn't want to come at first, but
now that I've got over here rayther
like 1t. Makes feller feel as If he
was somebody to have a boy ready at
every turn to brush off his coat.
II guess I'd be proud to have q lord
or duke for son-in-law. That's Mi
randa's lowest fgger, hain't It? She
hain't coming over here and then take
mp with no hayseedT
1t was Paris after four weeks In
and there was a continual i'm
provement In the family. Miranda
and her mother picked up as much as
one French word a day, and the hus-
band and father left his fears behind
him and assumed little swagger and
n patronizing air that sat well on him.
He had struck natural gas at home
simply by accident. He reasoned that
he might strike husband for Miranda
abroad In the same way. Therefore
whenever he came across any one who
would listen to him and who could
apeak English he introduced gas wells
into the conversation.
1t was always In the plural. 1t was
never one gas well, but half dozen.
He also tried his best to make the
head waiter understand the gas ques-
lion, and II he did not succeed entirely
he ut least elected the exclamation:
Gas from the ground, mon dieu
And each well $1,O00,O00! How you
must suffer with SO much money!
"Yes, heap Of suffering, but ! grit
my teeth and stand It."
When Mrs. Parkins announced that
they were to leave Paris for resort
ln the Alps, Mr.. Parkins had his OPP
bortunity to ask:
ANY Teller In sight yet?'
samuel. hain't you got no polish in
these last two months?' demanded the
wife.
"Of course have"
"Then show some of II. No gentle |
man would speak I'm that brutal man.