Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-05-16

any personnel whatever"
1t was about this time that Tom
Baxter began to be more devoted to
me than lie had ever been. OF course
there was no obligation on my part to
my correspondent. That affair some
times thought was rs much in the air
as Toms patents. But Tom really
seemed 10 have picked up the idea that
he was about TO realize something re-
markable. Whether 1t was his conf
dence or my desire that he should sue
coed don't know. but found myself
wishing he would. And IL he were go
ing to make a strike | wished that he
would make it before my clover on
paper" as / considered him. should
call upon me- My necessities grew
greater every day. / felt 1t was due
to my family that | should not only
relieve mother of Luy support. but do
something for them all besides.
feared that IL Mr.. Allerton should turn
out to be a desirable party | might
find myself inclined to treat him cool
ly, having Tom in my thoughts-in
other words, by not encouraging the
one available | might lose him.
But as bad luck would have it Mr..
Allerton wrote he was ready to call
upon me, and at the same time Tom
became positively aggressive He said
nothing more about the folly of per-
sons marrying without an assured in
come and began in hating kind of
way to really make love to me. | put
him off, saying: Don't be silly, Tom
You'll never be able to marry-that is,
there's not more than one chance in
ten thousand of your being so, for
that's all the chance there is for an
inventor
He looked very downcast at this
and said he believed that there was
some one who had first choice, as he
expressed it. | told him that / had
not yet seen the man / would marry
in preference to him.
ooh, cheer up" he said. MY case
isn't as bad as you think it is. I've
just succeeded in
/ put my hands to my ears. / had
heard the words Il have just succeed
ed" or 81 am just going to succeed"
so many times that / was not only
tired of them, but, feeling toward
Tom as l did, they were a mockery
with me. He went away without a
word. and | went to my room and
cried
The next day ] wrote Mr.. Allerton
that / would be pleased to have him
call upon me at the home of my
cousin In the city, a girl about my
age, who / knew would permit me to
receive any friend Of mine there.
appointed that day week for what /
called preliminary interview. There
was no warmth in my letter, but how
could / warm up for a man whom
had never seenf
received a note by return mail stat
ing that he would meet me on the date
had appointed. "And now" he add
ed, II am much pleased to tell you
that fortune after many disappoint
ments has favored me. / am an in
ventor"-
threw the note on the floor. For
heavens sake, are the only men in the
world ] have to choose from inven-
torsY Then, after walking back and
forth for awhile, l exclaimed aloud:
IF / must wait for an inventor I'll
wait for Tom
The door opened, and who should
come in but Tom himself | blushed
crimson. for / was sure he had heard
me.
The expression on his face was a
study. There was satisfaction and
above all, amusement His eyes fair
ly sparkled with mischief They turn
ed from me to the letter on the floor.
"Ohor' he exclaimed. you have a
Ioverp'
YES" said fiercely, land, like you.
he is an inventor"
He fairly shouted with laughter.
Picking up the letter, he read it. Com.
ing to where I had broken off, he
went ON with it: Il have just sold a
patent right for 100000 and royalty
on every article manufactured. The
money has been paid me-"
by Jove." he added. 1.-THE fellow
has got ahead Of me-
/ stood stock still, red as a beet and
not knowing what to do. Tom threw
his arms about my neck. I'm this fell
low Allerton. and I've had the luck
stated In his note | saw your letter
| lying on table addressed to the news
paper wondered what it meant.
subscribed for the paper, saw your adj
and surmised the advertisement was
yours. answered your advertisement
and have enjoyed correspondence
with you amazingly"
"You ought to be ashamed of your
self"
Tom and ! are very happy. have
often blamed myself for not having
had more confidence in his ultimate
success in his inventions. or at Least
more patience In the matter. / accuse
myself Of selfishness and want Of
steadfastness toward him. When
say these things to my husband hs
says I was right, that there were .
thousand chances 10 one that he wal
following an ignius fatuus. How con
trary Of himl
SUFFERERS WHO SAT- they haye tried every
thing without benefit are the people we 81
| f. t.