Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-07-22

Plato DObbS lay with his head Just
visible beneath the patchwork quilt,
and one arm stretched across the top
Of the covers. His fist was clenched,
and whenever he emitted an unusu-
ally loud snore he w%rathfully smote
the bed clothing. Plato was evidently
having unpleasant experiences in the
land of dreams.
His wife, clad in a dressing gown,
sat on the edge of the bed, watching
him. She made no move to arouse
Plato from his uneasy slumbers, how
ever; and when a light tap sounded at
the bedroom door she opened it ST.
lently.
Don't make a sound, sister Ange.
lina," cautioned Mrs. Dobbs, as a thin,
hatchet-faced woman, with a bow of
water in her hand, entered the room.
Hes asleep at last, but he's mighty
restless. | don't want him walked up
until you've tried the experiment on
him. SEEMS if couldn't wait another
minute to find out whether your sus.
picions were true, or only made up out
of your own head
made up, indeed" shifted Angelina:
that's the thanks I get from my own
sister. You needn't be afraid, I'll show
him up" and she gestured toward the
sleeping Plato. Il showed up his two
brothers, Animous and Nenomous,
over to Pcavillc, before I'd been visit.
ing their wives two weeks. Just as
soon as I helped those poor. deluded
women to pack up and go home to
their own folks | came right ovcr here
to help you out. There never was a
man yet to be trusted in anything, and
o that I've discovered a way to un.
mask EN- it's going to be my lifework.
Did you have Plato do as l said today,
SOS he'd be good and tired tonight"
Eyes, he's been on the go ever since
sunup; and tonight got him a travel
book out of the library, and he's been
reading it aloud. There was n fear.
full story IN it-about a female gorilla
capturing a man and keeping him a
prisoner for two weeks on the limb of
a tree. Plato read that twice, it was
SO exciting"
'Ill excite him." calculated Miss
--hStllld, SIlllly. 1Ou dlWlNS WAS
the softest one of the Barlow family,
or you'd have seen through Plato
Dobbs' tricky ways long ago. But !
s'pOse if | hadn't bought my book of
ancient secrets you'd have put up with
him all your days, and been none the
wiser"
During Miss Angelina's remarks she
InI nrn,t,, .nr,auInt ,A1 49,
needless of the sleeping Plato, she
raised her voice a little. He gave no
sign of rousing, however; indeed, his
slumber seemed more quiet, and he
lay breathing regularly, with his arm
dangling over the edge Of the bed.
Mrs. Dobbs gazed with awe at the
bowl on the table.
"Are you sure" she demanded, that
you've mixed it according to direc.
tionsS'
"Ccrtainly; I know the recipe by
heart: If you would know anothor's
secrets, place a great pinch of salt in
a bowl of clear water: then when a
deep sleep has fallen upon Hill place
his hand in the sailed water and ask
him what you will; he cannot deceive
YOU | b'lieve some ancient woman
named Alberta Agnes discovered the
secret. Come on, hold the bowl so his
hands just touch the water, and I'll do
the questioning. He'll find that he
can't hide anything from Angelina
Barlow"
There was no guile On the placid
face of Plato Dobbs as he lay on his
back with his eyes closed. The night
mare that had affrighted him seemed
to have departed. With curiosity and
awe on her face. Mrs. Dobbs took up
the bowl and gently raised it until
Plato's fingers dipped into the water.
wet his hand more" admonished
her sister at her side.
Mrs. Dobbs was about to comply
when Plato struck out suddenly, send,
ing a shower into the face of Miss
Angelina.
wow" muttered the sleeper,
'there she is again. There's old bow,
legs-ugh."
There, what did | tell your" ex.
claimed Miss Angelina. Hes talking
about women already. Wait till I get
the salt water out of my eyes, and I'll
find out what he's been up to. Wet
his hand again, sister"
Once more Plato's hand was sub,
merued and this time he mado M