The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-02-04
The Popcorn Seller.

where and how they first met their
husbands. Finally one told her expert
ence in story as follows:
last summer" she said, I'VE spent
as usual at our place, Ferncliff. In the
mountains We had house full of
guests, as usual, and one Of the men
1 consider it a breach Of confidence !
for any girl to reveal the name of a
sutton, so will call him Mr. Beach
was devoted to me-
81 see" remarked the other you
wish to conceal the denouement. To
call your lover by his real name would
spoil your story. Go on"
81 liked Mr.. Beach very much, but
he seemed rather prosaic. l wished
for something more snowy. Mother
said that practical man would wear
found since my marriage that she
was right"
"Oh, dear, why didn't you make it
more of mystery:"
"Onc day circus came to town
We young people agreed that we
would attend performance, and all
went to the tent in body We
climbed the board seats to conven-
lent height. sitting in a bunch, Mr.
Beach being beside me. We were
much too early for the show, but en-
iOyed ourselves watching the country
people come in. Near us q young fell
low was arranging his wares, consist
ing of popcorn cakes. AS soon as he
had them laid out on his table, or,
rather, board, he took up some pack
ages and, holding up one, passed
around the ring, dragging one leg
after the other, the way circus people
do, drawing:
These celebrated popcorn cakes
are made of popcorn grown in the vale
Of Cashmere under the glow of the
radiant faces of the most beautiful
women of the world Only cents a
package. Warranted fresh and lus-
cious to the taste
"What do you know about the vale
of Cashmere: called Mr. Beach, buy
AIS JdShtSS VI llc lODlOiIl
Mothers got book Of poems by a
Mickey called Tom Moore. said the
fellow, handing up the change. And
he strutted on with, Here's your cele-
brated popcorn cakes grown on the
fertile plains of Palestine etc.
The audience began to guy him good
naturally, but he smiled at any one
doing so with bewitching smile In
deed. every one was watching him and
wondering where next his celebrated
popcorn would come from. He con-
tinued his rounds till there was a
flourish of half dozen dingy brass
instruments. and the performance com
menced.
1.-THE only attractive feature Of the
show was that the actors were fine
looking young men. They seemed rath
er amateurish, their performance con
sisting principally of gymnastic stunts
We STAYED till the end. however, the
girls of our party being interested il
the fine appearance of the young
Ajaxes.
I'VE had gone home, and | was dress
ing for dinner when, looking out of IN,
window, | saw young man dressed il
the height of fashion coming up the
walk. In few minutes Susan handed
me card and note of introduction
from my friend, Adele Perkins. A!
soon as had finished my toilet | wen
down into the drawing room to gree
the caller.
Il never was so puzzled in my life
l was sure | had seen the man before
but where could not.tell | was look
ing at him, trying in vain to place him
when his face lighted up with Il smile
! Then the truth-the undeniaDle truth
broke in upon me. He was the pop
corn seller Of the circus"
"Heavensr exclaimed the listener
raising her hands.
There he stood, evidently enjoying
my surprise. while l, who had extend
ed my hand. drew back.
81 haven't come he said, to sci
you Il cake of the celebrated popcorn
from the sunny land of Brazil. hav
come to call upon the friend of m
cousin, Adele Perkins. But befor
asking to be treated as guest vii
explain that the company Of perform
ers you saw today are all fellow stu
dents Of mine at college. They nee
what they make in this manner to er
able them to pursue their studies.
on the contrary, have been born wit
a silver spoon in my mouth. But
am practical chap, and my father
being Of the same mind as myself, pre-
fers that shall work my way throug
college as preparation for the dutie
that are expected to fall to me whe
l have finished My education. ! hav
therefore Joined my chums as poi
corn seller and make bold to say tina
; l keep up my end of the profits
"A1y dear, you can imagine my as
constituent at hearing this howlin
swell tell how he came to be men
Der Of Il circus company. | invite
him to dinner, but he declined be
cause if he accepted he would be to
late for the evening performance
After dinner | returned to my room
feigning headache, and. taking
maid. Slipped out a back door an