Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-05-19
Papa Smiths
Waterloo
By STAG E. BAKER
(CopyrlghI, 1900 BY Associated Literary
Press.)


Copyright. 1903 by Associated Literary
Press.)
Il have told you" roared Papa
Smith, his face fairly purple with rage,
that | won't stand for you as SON
in-law. The phrase may sound inele-
giant. but it's just exactly what ! mean.
Exactly. precisely. and just what ]
mean" He brought an emphatic and
fat fist down on the desk.
Papa Smith-listed in the annals Of
business as John Anderson Smith,
architect-was at least a hundred
pounds heavier than this youth who
quailed before the arrows of his wrath.
just now, with the color in his frown-
ing face, he summed up suspiciously
like the last mountain Of flesh the de-
posed sultan of Turkey sent over to
wrestle Comparatively speaking) dust
weight Americans. Furthermore, the
despot IN the swivel chair stroked a
stubby. bristling mustache that the
overwrought mind of a seeker of fair
damsels hand knew TO be a collection
of lightning rods worn to protect the
man from his own pyrotechnic yocab-
ulary.
'Wh-wh-why?" gasped the pilgrim
at the shrine Of paternalism.
"Wh-wh-why?" mimicked the fat
man. steel-gray eyes flashing angrily.
Because, you fool. my daughter must
marry a man. A man, dye hear
One who does things-things with a
capital IT,"
1t must not be inferred from this
remark that Tommy Briggs, the un-
comfortable reed swaying before the
wrath of this irascible old cyclone.
didn't do things. He did. He led cotil-
lions. among other achievements. and,
as he had just proved, he could arouse.
on occasion, sudden rage in the
hearts of fussy, opinionated papas.
Mammas, on the other hand-those
mammas. at least, who are always
scouting on the ramparts OF society
for possible young bachelors of fam.
fly and fortune-would raise their
hands in horror at the idea of refusing
Tommy the hand OF any of their
girls.
Unfortunately for the slim young
man with the molasses-colored hair
ard the pale blue eyes, the daughter
of the house of Smith was motherless
and Smith was contented to have her
remain in the clan of Smith until more
heady material than the Briggs scion
materialized.
Miss Eva Smith was a girl, peach
pretty. and unspoiled by the very nice
society into which she had beer
thrown. Tall and slim, with a mass
OF wavy blue-black hair and dusky
dream-lit eyes, the maid was essen
TALLY popular with the young mer
of her set.
Best OF all. she liked young Tommy
in fact. only the night before she had
half-confessed TO him her passionate
all-devouring love, and Tommy. backed
by his million dollars and good pros
poets, had trudged manfully to Pepper
smith for his blessing before popping
the question.
The interview had terminated In &
monologue, with Papa Smith doing the
shouting. IL was all very painful
not only to Tommy Smith but to tn,
other occupants of Offices in th,
block. who found themselves com
PEELED to suspend business until tn,
megaphonic voice Of the irate archi
tect had Gained down.
The meek and lowly suffer asssimi
lated a great deal of more or less goot
ADVICE, and carefully noted prognosti
cations as to his probable future HI
never had quite realized before. hi
personal failings. In the beginning. /
had been rather OF a novelty, thi
summing up by the old gentleman
Then the lion-voicsd one had fright
enet. the youth. Seeing this. he hap
frightened him still more. Then Brigg
had waxed angry.
You can stop your silly ranting.
interrupted the sutton, suddenly. 81
makes no difference at all. Intend t
marry your daughter, and there's a
end o. it. If you won't give your cor
sent. Ill marry her. anyway. Hea
me-"
Old Smith gasped in surprise. S
tue worm had turned?
on. you viii. Will you?" he grun
ed. appreciatively. why, you toac
you won't get a chance to propos
to her
"I'll propose to her, all right,
growled Tommy. his eyes blazin,
Don you imagine that won't. She
accept me, too.
Papa Smiths fat lips curved to
disagreeable sheer.
4 presume"-he spoke slowly an
with scathing emphasis-'that you
] idea is to sneak around and whin
your tale Of an abused love in II
girls ears when ! am not at hom
That, I imagine. will be your way ,