Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-11-09
AN OLD
MAIDS HERO
BY nj. QUAD
Copyright. 1910. BY Associated JJt-
erary Press.

Abe was an old bach.
1t was fate that kept Amanda an old
maid. II was fate that brought Abe
all the way from Indiana. Ii was fate
that finally brought the two face to
face. Abe had hardly got through
asking Amanda for the loan Of a hoe
when he found his heart tunking with
a strange funk.
Two weeks after the Hoosier's ap-
pearauce band Of gypsies came along
the road. and in return for some cold
da's fortune.
You will marry" she started or
1T seems Impossible"
But the stars say so, and they arc
never mistaken"
What sort OF husband will he be?"
bluShingly asked the old maid.
~ hero. You will not know that
he is a hero for some time, but it will
suddenly come to pass. He Will save
your life from indignant insects.
cannot say whether they will be grass
horpers or not"
The next time Abe called Amanda
looked him over and decided he was
no more Of hero than the gatepost
He didn't look it nor talk it. and there
fore when he told his love and asked
for her hand she replied:
Il shall never marry any one but a
hero"
But I'm one. fit into the Spanish
war. and. lands save you. but how 1
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 a beetle or a grass
hopper mad. but he had never pokea
either with Il stick. The Hoosler had
arrived in the early spring. In May
he renewed his offer of matr1mony.
He had an affectionate disposition ana
800 in his trunk.
You are as good az 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
riage "a the June bugs!"
But he is to be hero
"Well. ding it. amt one? I've new
er Dragged much about how 1 moved
the Spanish down. but I'll say to you
right here and now that killed sew
enteen of EN-"
why. that was brave OF you"
Il should remark. but I'm not boast
ing OF It. If the battle had lasted q
little longer I'd have made the num-
Der twenty"
But the gypsy said II would be some
one who would save my Fife I'm kind
er liking you. Abe. bSt dasn't go back
on the stars and the gypsy"
Abe came over on a dozen occasions
in June and said nothing further, al
though he was more determined than
ever. 1t was the first 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 kind:"
1.-The hero may be along any day
now" was the reply.
Say, Manda. that gypsy must have
meant me. She sure did. I've been
counting up since told you / had
killed seventeen Spaniards, and / find
the number was twenty seven. add
ed them up wrong. DO you want any
bigger hero than that?"
Lands. Abe. but how you must
have fitr'
Fit! Well. guess yes! was
there to do 1t. and | moved 'em.
Lemme get the preacher tomorrer"
Nope. I've got to so by what the
stars say"
There weren't any stars out next
afternoon and no gypsies around
when Amanda started across the
meadow to gather cowslips at the
pond. Swinging n basket in her hand
and humming tune. she walked right
into n bumblebees' nest. The hero
was right over in the next lot giving
the corn second hoeing. He heard
screams. He heard yells. He heard
walls for help. He ran to the fence
and saw Amanda hopping and run
ming and lodging and using her sun
bonnet as weapon.
"Humph"' grunted Abe as he out
with his knife and cut a thick topped
bush. There's the indignant insects,
and by gum if here hain't the hero,
Amanda Perkins. You are miner
There were hal 4 hundred bumbles.
They were thoroughly indignant.
They made it lively for Amanda, and
they had plenty left over for Abe, but
a hero always conquers. The suffer
ing hero picked the suffering heroine
up I'm his arms and tOted her to the
house and dropped her on the floor to
| cav.