Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-03-31
HOW He WENT
He Vowed He Wouldn't Go and
See Her.

Making a gesture Of impatience and
desperation, he seized the photograph
that decorated his bureau and turned
it face downward. No doubt it was
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
81 know what I'll dol" he groaned.
"Ill pitch penny for it. Heads, I'll
go; tails, 1 won't"
He tipped a 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!
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 q sulky
sort of way, frowning fiercely and
pouching his lips.
"Wait!" he muttered, catching
sight of pack of cards ON his table.
'T'll cut for IL. Red: Tie go. Black: I
won't CO."
He shufRed 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. Nov 1t is set
tied! Now I won't go!"
And grooming again. he opened a
paper bag and took out two new
neckties, one of green silk, one of
blue. After a 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.
81 know what I'll dol" he said.
catching sight of the pincushion. 'Tll
just count these pins. If it's an even
number, I'll go. If it's odd, won't
60"
zone, two three fifteen
sixteen seventeen.
"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.
Cab, my beloved ones, take heedD
81 know what I'll dol" he muttered,
as he came to a crossing. IF can get
over to the other sidewalk in less than
ten steps, I'll go. If it takes more
than ten steps won't CO."
And though he strobe over the cross
ing with, giant strides, almost injuring
himself in his unbiased endeavor, he
couldn't make it in less than 11-not
for the life of him.
"Now!" he growled fiercely to him.
self Nov 1 won't go!"
Setting his teeth, he charged into a
florists shop and bought a dozen
roses. He laid these across his arm,
strobe out again and moodily conten-
plated the night.
eff that car stops, I'll co." he NUT
tered. IF it doesn't stop, won't go"
1t didn't stop.
"There!" he groaned, as though in
relief. Nov It is settled"
Whereupon he entered candy shop
and bought a pound of the best.
Nov, I'll just walk one block this
way" he said to himself, "and then
I'll turn right around and go home"
So he walkeu one block that way.
zone more" he said.
So he walked one more.
"Now another" he said.
So he walked another.
Nov this one" he said.
But in the middle Of this one he
stopped and looked at a certain house,
scowling at it apitefully and pouchtng
his lips again.
It'll go up the steps," he muttered,
"and come right down again-just to
show myself I can do H."
At the top Of the steps he stepped
into the vesttbule, placed the flowers
and candy on the floor and drew the
penny out Of his pocket.
Heads I'll ring the bell" said he.
SsTails 7 won't"