Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-11-10

John Anderson Smith gazed at the
youth before him in grudging admira.
ton.
You must carry heavy accident In.
surance," he laughed, contemptuous.
ly Why, child, I'll make a wreck of
you if you do that" He peered crit3.
cally at Tommy. Il don't believe Won
have the courage to attempt IT," he
added, impulsively. You don't look
as ii you had it in you. If you have"
ais eyes narrowed-"and can get
lway with 1t, III reconsider this--er--
proposition you've put to me-" Smith
gnoring his visitor, now turned to
ais desk. The interview was over.
II was a thoughtful Tommy who be
.ook himself to the elevator. The lit
lie curve of optimism about his mouth
vas gone. Three new wrinkles
narred the placidity of his brow. Young
Briggs, for the nonce. had something
o think about. For the first time in
lis tiuttering career, something had
)een denied him.
1t needed just this denial 10 bring
put the latent points in the youth.
His starved brain seized the problem
eagerly
A week passed.
Eva" growled John Anderson, one
'vening, his suspicious eyes on the
girl, lis that young whippersnapper
itill around?"
Miss Evas fair face flushed
Which one, father?" Her voice was
'alm enough. You know, at different
lines, you have dubbed them all that
individually and collectively"
And | was right" roared the bulky
irchitect, eager for the fray. Each
and every one of them is brainless
Uhippersnapper without an idea in his
useless head. Now, in the old days
IF you will discriminate" interrupt.
I'd the girl, hastily, ''I'n answer your
question. Which particular 'whipper-
snapper do you mean?"
Young featherbrain Briggs" grum-
oled Smith.
He Is not-er--hanging around"
answered the girl, shortly, "and now
cts change the subject. oh. papa
tthe girl impulsively tripped over to
he old ogre and placed soft arm
about his neck), received just the
iearest, sweetest present by express
.o-day. ] want you TO see it." With
out waiting for a reply the girl ran
rom the room. returning with q small
boX-like case.
In a second, the cover was re-
moved and handsome gold-mounted
talking machine was placed on the
center table
HUH" calculated Smith. What
1endish taste. The thing has SO much
gold on 1t that 1t is absolutely inde-
cent"
The girl laughingly inserted rec
Drd.
Listen" she continued, this is
something out of the ordinary"
Starting the machine the girl returned
20 seat herself in the lap of her fa-
her.
"Whirr-ir--hufIle--uz," began the
machine, and suddenly:
Miss Eva, +, Thomas Briggs, do
hereby seize this opportunity in the
presence of your father of asking you
to become my wife. r."
With a roar the portly one arose,
thereby suddenly depositing a fluffy
bundle OF clinging femininity on the
door, and by quick kick the recorded
sloquence of Thomas Briggs was at
All end.
he stared at the broken machine
Savagely.
From behind him came a fearful
voice of protest.
Il don't think that was very
nice," sobbed the disarranged one.
'After--after Tommy was man enough
20 live up to his word when-when In
reality 1t wouldn't have made any
difference at all"
Smith glared at the girl.
DO you love him." be asked.
"Ye-ye-yes," came the weepful
but decided answer
The old man stared long at The
broken machine. Gradually an amused
smile played about the corners of his
stern lips.
Well, take him then" he grumbled.
Anyway, | made him prove that he
could think"