Sharp County record., 1910-07-29
The Training Of
Sirnpkins


When stmpkins began calling at
4 Paradise fiat. which IS the name Caro-
| lire and Edu;la have given their girl
. bachelor apartment his hostess agreed
that he was rather a bore. But as
7 time went on and be continued 10
[. come with marked regularity they
both found him interesting, although
they did not cc1fde this fact 10 each
other On the contrary, they still
. spoke Of him VITA goo1.-aturea de-
rision and never for a moment owned
that any elaboration of dress On the
/ evenings he was expected had any
/ connection with bis visits.
There was something touching in
the naive manner with which simp-
kins consulted them on many little
( social points. lie admitted that he
had never had the opportunity of
learning much about the intricacies Of
( good form until he had the advantage
Of their acquaintance. So they began
to feel that he was their mission
What colored necktie shall I wear
with my new gray spring suit" he
! asked one evening.
"A green one Of q soft dull shade"
suggested Edvina.
81 think q gray one, a n.tle lighter
tone than the suit, with q touch Of red
in It, will De much smarter" said Car
oline
Gray and red Is so commonplace"
said Edwina.
81 don't think So" returned Caro-
line firmly.
simpkins, altar declaring that be
would provide himself with neckties
Of both kinds, hastcned TO change the
subject.
This difference Of opinion was the
beginning of many disagreemelts in
( regard to Simpkins, However, he con.
tinued 10 consult them and his path
gsow more smooth when they began
70 receive him separately. Caroline
pleaded o headache on the night Of
one visit and Edwila was excused On
account Of fatigue on another eve.
ming So II became the custom for only
one girl to appear when he called.
On the day that Caroline happened
upon Simpkins and Edwina lunch!pg
together downtown, she haughtily de.
cl!nod his invitation TO Join them. She
also refused to zee him that evening,
though It was her turn to entertain
him. She insisted that she had in.
Eortant letters 70 write.
The next morning when she started
70 her Office, as usual a few minutes
later than Edwina, she found Simp.
kns lettering on the corner.
This is Saturday, and hope that
you'll 70 to the matinee with me"
said he so humbly that she could not
find Il IN her heart 70 decline.
Perhaps he doesn't prefer Edwina,
after all, she told herself when they
had parted. II he accidentally met
her downtown yesterday noon, very
likely she gave him the opportunity
20 invite her to lunch Even very nice
| girls do that sort Of thing sometimes,
though ! should never have expected
such forwardness Of Edwlna"
where were you this afternoon,
Gardiner asked Edwina that even.
ing u thought you were coming
home carly"
Il did intend to, but ! went to tho
matinee"
"Oh, Sec" remarked Edwna with
Icy sweetness, How very nice!
hope you enjoyed it?"
Very much indeed, thank you"
ado you know, Caroline, / always
think that a man who goes 70 the
matinee is rather sissy, Goodness
! thcroB the boll You didn't expect
him-0ny one, to night, dIl you?"
"Of course not You know he was
here last night"
"Wel, RS HE ring anyway WIN
you see him? You'll have TO. for
have important lcttora 70 write"
when Caroline opened the door for
the caller h. said Immediately that he
wanted 70 sec both Of them
"lyo got something 70 ten you that
want sou both 90 hear, gtumblIngly
announced Slmpklas after ElWinR had
blcn summoned 81 tried 10 tell you,
Miss EdWIna, ut lunch yesterday, but
somehow ! didn't succeed, and this
afternoon ! meant 20 ten you, Miss
| Caroline, at the matinee. but could.
Mt, 80 ! iu8t made mp my minds to run
IN tonight
you are awfully good friends of
mino and | don't believe ! should ever
have gained my Fro3t happiness II it
hadn't boon for tho splendid advice
you have given me, ! know youn be
glad 10 hear that I'm engaged TO
| Mr5 Wc'hy, my lOndlady"
I'VE bopo youll be very happy"
said Elwiun
I'm sure ! rhun," returned simp,
kIns iaWoualH "oud shall tell ben
how grateful she must ho TO you Two
for making me anywhere near worthy
Of her I'm sorry / can't stay longer