The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-09-01
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
THREE GIRLS AND A BUNGALOW
BY c. B. Lewis.

10y -. %. Lewis.
The three girls-Florence, Molly
and Edith-began talking up that bun
galow In January, and long enough
before the first April shower they had
all their plans perfected.
1t was to be unique and romantic
summer outing. F1orences fatehr
owned farm on the bay. A frame
house had been erected for the ten
ant, and an old log house stood va
cant in romantic spot. 1t was, as
Florence informed her two girl-hcums,
dear, lovely, sweet, just-too-nice-
for-anything old log house. 1t would
make such a bungalow as could not
be found in 20 miles up and down the
coast.
On the hill, 40 rods back of the log
house, was the new dwelling, occu-
pied by Farmer Jones, his good, fat
wife and his lean son, Jacob. The
girls would take their meals there,
and have no cooking or dish-washing
TO do. When they wanted to roast
CLAIMS and potatoes they could build
a fire on the shore.
Just three girls, and no crowds
no dressing for dinner-no keeping
the hair curled. Just three girls
boating, fishing, and swinging in theiI
hammocks and cantering DER the
dewy grass in the morning. No cards
no bouquests-no firtations.
Well, it all came about. They went
down early in July to remain for two
months. Word had been sent to
Jones that they wished to rough IT.
and that he must not remove any of
the romance.
He obeyed orders. He built trhee
rude hunks, put in an old table and
three chairs and furnished a lamp.
There were few panes of glass in
the windows, and he did not add to
the number; there were a few holes
in the roof and he did not cover them
there was half an acre OF pigweeds
around the house and he did not NOV
them down. Mr.. Jones was romantic
himself and appreciated the sentiment
in others.
The outing started off with: How
charming!" How ideali" and How
very romantic!" The nthe three girls
got their heads together and took a
solemn vow. 1t was that they would
remain until the very last day of
August, and that in the interval they
would not encourage any young man
to address them-any young man ex-
cept Jacob.
The bungalow was a success from
the start. On the first night it rained
and the water dripped down through
a dozen leaks; on the second night a
COW came and put her head through
one of the windows to see what
strange cattle had arrived and taken
possession; on the third an owl alight-
ed on the roof tree and uttered three
whoops and they were followed by
three EXPLANATIONS of "Murder!" "Po-
Iice!" and "Help!"
!
with a pitcher of buttermilk and some
startling news. He had discovered a
young man had gone into camp a
quarter of a mile away. He had with
him tent, a boat, plent yof provis-
ions and cooking utensils. 1t looked
as if he intended to stay right there
all summer.
The news created intense excite
ment at once. An indignation meet
ing was at once called and it was.
Resolved, That the young man has
got to go, and that we wait upon him
in body and tell him So
Jacob bravely offered his help, but
1t was declined. 9TH ebody" marched
straight for the enemy scamp, each
wearing a look of determination.
The enemy VISA sitting down smok-
ing a pipe, but on their arrival he
rose up and doffed his cap and stood
at respectful attention. Miss Florence
was spokesman, and, after a slight
shiver, she announced:
Sir, this is my fathers property
and you are a trespasser. / have to
request that you will kindly go away
But it happens to be my property
replied the stranger with a smile.
Your fathers farm ends at the creek
there
''But-but we are three girls, SIR"