El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-11-15
The Herald's
Daily Short Story

Mr.. Jukes stared at Mr.. Tadger. II
shouldn't mind an old 'un like you
kissin' any of EN-
Mr. Tadger frowned.
Ezra Jukes. you 'aven't as much
ina gination L your cad as that boot.
Now, let's say that Jim Sellars came
an cuddled EN- all. Which one d you
mind his cuddfin' most?
Il shouldn't like i'm cuddlin' any OF
EN-" replied Mr.. Jukes, Indignantly.
I'D not stand II from i'm"
Mr. Tadger looked despairingly at
the youth We'll. I must think out
some other way o. maxim clear to you
which you wants, Ezra.
He paused a moment and a smile
passed across his face. I've got an
idea, Ezra I'll settle this for you be-
fore tomorrer's over. You'll know just
which of 'em you want then. Now, they
all somes in to church on Sunday
evenin'?'
Yes: 1 goes with 'em regular"
An you take 'em back to the farm
up Hazel Lane?"
Yes
We'll, take 'em that way tomorrer
night. Don't ave anyone else with
you. If you can 'elp."
On Sunday evening Mr.. Jukes left
the church with the three fair maid
ems. AS they reached the seclusion OF
Hazel Lane his arms automatically
folded round the waists of Bessie and
Mary The modest girls took as little
notice of the embrace as they did of
the sunset
1T looks like rain" said Mr.. Jukes.
directing his remarks to Grace Mad
dox who, being for the moment un-
10
Father says the glass is fallin'," re-
sponded Grace.
A curious believing sound came
echoing down the lane.
Suddenly Mr.. Tadger appeared round
the corner. He held his ancient top
hat in his hand. his coat-tafls were
flying behind him and his short legs
almost twinkled as he sped over the
ground. He had only breath enough
to shout wildly as he passed. Mad
dog. Mad dog"
After supper that evening Mr.. Tad
ger walked proudly up to the Jukcs's
farm.
Ezra got in?" he asked Mrs. Jukes,
cheerfully.
les just 'avin' look at the beasts
before e goes TO bed. You'll find i'm
in the yard somewheres."
Mr.. Tadger strutted confidently in
the farmyard and soon espied Mr..
Jukes leaning over a subsequently,
lost in contemplat ion of a dilapidated
haystack. He stepped up to him and
slapped him cheerfully on the back
Now, Ezra, wasn't that mad dog a
firstclass idea o. mine? For an old 'un
/ didn't do it badly 1 almost felt
there was mad dog at my calves"
Wasn't there no dog, them" in
quired Mr.. Jukes
60 course there wasn't"
I've torn my best trousers to pieces
for nothin', then" said Mr.. Jukes,
glOomily.
Not for nothin'." exclaimed Mr.
Tadger. Nov. tell me this-when you
see me runnih' an shoutin' Mad dog
which one o. them girls did you grab
at first to put into safety, for that's
the one you've give your cart to-"
Mr.. Jukes glared at his advisor. low
was / TO know that it wasn't real
mad dog? I've a widdered mother.
ave. an tender skin. 1 just jumped
the hedge an run for my life. 1t
wasn't no time to be botherin' about
girls. l ran two miles before I stopped
an then I went a long ways round
To Maddoxs farm. I just wanted TO
know if them girls 'ad got 'ome safe.
An they all said to me. Don't you
never show your face ere again. Leav-
in us TO ravenin' mad dog like that
And when I says that my mother was
a wilder they laughs at me-"
Mr.. Tadger stared at the youth for
a moment and then a curious twinkle
came In his eye. II said I'd settle II
for you, Ezra. and it's settled-you
can't ave none Of 'em. But don't you