The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-03
APresentE0r
EMzuerett
The Buyers Proceed Ven-
table Bulls In q
Chiao Shop
By CLARISSA MACKFE
CopyrxGhe By American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

nouncement and lodged out of th
bunk house. His three comrades stare,
open mouthed at one another unit
Pepper broke the silence.
-Marriedr' he uttered dagedly. "Dal
he say thatr'
Tony Coz sosemniy nodded. "Ans
he said her name Is Emmerett Hodge.
he said In an awed tone.
~Emmerett HodgeT repeated PROT
bitterly. "a girl with a name nk'
that always has tony wedding
What did Raymond say about IT.
didn't sense 1t all. was 30 6abber
gasted."
"As near 40 I can r'coilect he sait
there was to be fancy time at hel
house and we was invited Tony herr
has got to stand up with the bride
groom"
Jink Prote un5otnted hts hong legs
and stood erect, towering above tbs
other two. what about a wsddin
present. he demanded.
That's easy. Wen all chip In and
git Mrs. Carwood TO buy 1t down to
PenHeld. Wtmmen always know what
to git"
Tony Coz shook his head mix on
that, Pepper. Why. Raymood's been
our mate for three years-ever since
come to the Twin Star. feed
mighty friendly to him. l reckon all
Of us do. and we must pick out the
present ourselves. What sa-ayr'
The others nodded assent. and as II
happened that the morrow was the
monthly pay day they decided to ride
over to PenAeld the next afternoon
and select a wedding gift for Ray
mond's bride.
With pockets well lined and bronzed
faces portentously solemn with the
import OF their mission. the three set
forth on the twenty mile ride from the
Twin Star cattle ranch to the largest
town In the county.
They stopped at Red Spider for the
mail, and the three wedding invita-
lions that faced them nearly caused a
stampede. link Prole stared unhappi-
ly at the engraved words.
at dunno" he hesitated. ut might
be this present business oughter be did
by an expert II we should make a
mistake she-the lady - Emmerett-
might take offense at what we got"
Tony Goff tucked his envelope away
and prepared to smoke. There ain't
no use losing your nerve" he said at
length. "You braced us to the Job. and
we got to carry 1t through. Mebbe we
amt got to go clean to Penfeld. What
you think of that lamp In Cox's win
der?" He pointed lean forefinger at
the dusty. fly spotted merchandise dis
played by the postmaster.
The three surveyed 1t longingly.
It was a tall lamp of pink glass and
when freed from dust and lighted
might cast an added rosy glow over
the future of the newly welded pair.
Mr.. Pepper strobe to the door and
bawled an inquiry.
He returned and flung himself on
his horse. Three ninety eight, includ-
ing the shade" he repeated contemp-
tuously, land us with a hundred In
our pockets to spend!'
With one accord they resumed the
journey to Penfeld. leaving behind the
dark shadowing mountains with the
last glimmer of the sunset along the
upper ridges. 1t was after dark when
they pounded into the town. and. hun
CRY and thirsty, they made their way
to restaurant and satisfied their ap-
petites.
Afterward they entered the Farnum
emporium. u maze Of narrow aisles
running between shelves and counters
laden with glass and china in every
conceivable form Of fragility. The
side walls Of the store were lined with
counters upon which were piled house
hold wares while the rear presented
a gloomy barr1cade of furniture against
a background of gaudy carpets.
Jink Proe s1destepped down an
aisle and reached the barricade inst
as a pretty girl arose from a chair and
laid down piece Of fancy work
What can | do for your she asked
briskly.
Before the tan ranchman could an
swer there came a terrific crash and
the sound OF splintering glass blended
with startled profanity.
"oh" exclaimed the girl That's
real cut glass;"
IT'S considerable cut up" agreed
Probe as they reached the scene or
disaster, where Pepper and Tony Con
stood staring down at the havoc they
had created. How'd you manage TO
clean or the hull shelf7''
Mr.. Pepper twisted his long mustache
ruefully. "Of course 1t can't be because
It's narrow gauge here We squoze
ourselves as wells we could, bat some
how there want no place for elbows.
Now, miss, what's the damageT He
dug his hand deep into a pocket and
brought forth his months pay, $40.
The girl knelt upon the floor and
bent her head above the fragments.
piecing them together with little dis
mayed EXPLANATIONS. At last she tossed
back her misty black hair and looked
up at them with slowly crtmsontng
cheeks.
ats too bad" she said regretfully,
but this Is real cut glass, and it's aw-
full expensive. There was a water bot
-