Evening journal., 1910-11-16
AN OLD
MAIDS HERO
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1919. by Associates Lat
e-sry Press.
By N. QUAD

brother Ben. who was a farmer and q
widower. took her for his housekeep-
er. Abe Smith came to work as q
hired man for an adjoining farmer.
Abe was an old bach
IL was fate that kept Amanda an old
maid. II was fate that brought Abe
all the way from Indiana. It was fate
that finally brought the two face to
face. Abe had hardly got through
nSling Amanda for the loan Of a hoe
when he found his heart tunlzing with
a strange tunk.
Two weeks after the Hoosier's ap-
pearance band Of Sypsies came along
tho road. and in return for some cold
victuals one Of the women told Aman-
das fortune.
you will marry" she started of.
''it seems impossible"
"But the stars say so. and they are
never mistaken
What sort OF husband will he be-"
bushingly asked the old maid.
"a hero Yon will not know that
he is a hero for some time, but it will
suddenly come tot3,ass. He will save
your life from indignant insects l
cannot say whether they will be grass
hoppors or not"
Tho next time Abe called Amanda
looked him over and decided he was
no more Of hero than the gatepost.
He didu't look il nor talk It. and there
forc when he told his love aud asked
for her hand she replied
II shall never marry any one but
hero"
But I'm one. fit into the Spanish
war. and. lands save you, but how I
moved 'em down.
But Abe was thrown down. Aman.
da's brother liked him. but that didn't
count She had asked Ben what par
ticular insects got indignant. but he
couldn't give her the information. He
had never seen beetle or grass
hopper mad. but he had never poiged
either with stick The Hoosier had
arrived in the carly spring. In May
he renewed his offer Of matrimony.
He had an affectionate disposition and
500 in his trunk.
"You are as good as any one around
here. Abe" replied Amanda. ''but the
stars have settled it for me-"
THE stars be hanged The stars
have about as much to do with mar
riaEe as the June bugs"
But he is TO be a hero"
"Well. ding it. amt one? I've new
er Dragged much about how I moved
the Spanish down. but I'll say to you
right here and now that l killed sew
entcen Of 'em"
why. that was brave OF you"
II should remark. but I'm not boast
ing Of II. II the battle had lasted a
httle longer ia have made the num-
ber twenty"
But the gypsy said il would be some
one who would save my life. I'm kind
or liking you. Abe. but dasn't go back
on the stars and the gypsy
Abe came over on dozen occasions
in June and said nothing further. al
though he was more determined than
over Il was the frst Of July before he
got around TO say:
you might as well be bridal tower
ing around as washing taters here.
What's the use of foollng about thing
Of this kindr"
"The hero may be along any day
now" was the reply.
Say, Manda. that gypsy mus, have
meant me- She sure did. I've been
counting up since told you had
killed seventeen Spaniards. and I find
the number was twenty-seven. add
ed them up wrong. DO You want any
bigger hero than thatg"
Lands, Abe, but how you nnst
lave itr
Fit, Well, l guess yes, ! was
there TO do e. and moved 'em.
Lemme get the preacher toulorrer"
Nope. I've got to go by what the
stars say"
There weren't any stars out next
afternoon and no gypsies around
when Amanda started across the
meadow 10 gather cowslips at the
pond. Swinging basket in her hand
and humming a tune. she walked right
into bumblebees' nest. The hero
was right over in the next lot giving
the corn second hoeing. He heard
screams. He heard yels. He heard
walls for help. He ran TO the fence
and saw Amanda hopping and run
ming and dodging and using her sun
bonnet as a weapon.
"Humphw grunted Abe as he out
with his knife and cut a thick topped
bush. There's the indignant insects.
and by gum II here hain't the hero!
Amanda Perkins. you are mine"
There were half hundred BUNDLES.
They were thoroughly indignant.
They made 1t lively for Amanda. and
they had plenty left over for Abe. but
hero always conauers. The suffer-
ing hero picked the suffering heroine
up in his arms aud toted her 70 the
house and dropped her on the door to
say:
There, II you are looking for any
more heroes and indignant insects I'll
take you back"
"oh. Abe. am rescuedg' was
walled
Yes the biggest part Of you. and
don't you try it again AS soon as
these Jumps so down it's the preacher
FOR us
"But the herof"
"You can't see him. but he stands