The Press., 1911-08-09
A Tin PeddIer'S s Love Story He Found a Man Who Didn't Understand a Woman By JOSEPH B. HUGHES Copyright by American Press Asso-
 ciation, 1911.

1 was peddnng 0nWare In the cOun- try, stopping at farmhouses to sell my goods to women. l was a successful tin peddler. The statement may seem superduous to a story, but 1t is quite important in this one. Only one who understands the idiosyncrasies of wo- men could sell them tin or any other kind of goods. Ergo, I, being a sue cessful tin peddler, must understand women. But the main reason why think l understand them Is because I know I don't
 On one of my tours I struck young bachelor farmer and concluded to stop all night at his house. He had no woman to do anything for him. and he cooked and took care of the house himself. l asked him if he didn't need helpmeet
 Stranger" he said. firing up at once, do you mean to insinuate that might better take a woman into these premises?'
 "What is the objection?"
 "The objection is that they're the most rantankerous. deceitful, pryin', palaverin' creatures in the universe wouldn't trust one on lem within forty miles of me-"
 Perhaps you've been crossed in lover"
 T dunno what you mean by bein' crossed in love, but if it's fooled in love I've been that twict."
 l had finished my supper, and my hn0f ho 3<rR1 meant that he put them without wash ing into big closet. He told me that he washed dishes once a week by car rying them in his farm wagon to the middle of the creek. There he did the work with mop. offered him a cigar, which he declined and brought out cob pipe. Since I had an even- ing before me with nothing to do encouraged him to talk.
 "How have you been fooled in lover" asked him.
 'Tt was this away. was born on this farm, and when I wasn't but six. teen a man bought the Owen farm, about two minutes down the road. He had little gal about two or three years younger than me. She was the slickest thing you ever seen; mighty straight little figure, dresses not far below the knees and two p1gtails be- hind tied up with ribbons. never was gals boy and didn't care any thing about her. When l met her on the road used to go on the other side. Onct when passed her l no ticed her lookin' sideways at me like a robin or chipmunk. When she saw me lookin' at her she dropped her eyes on to the road and you'd "a thought butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
 .'One day when I was fishin' in the creek heard some one just below windin' in a reel and, lookin' through the trees, saw Mary Owen castin in a line. jist flshed on, payin' no at tention to her. First thing knew l heard cry. left my flshin' pole layin' on the bank and went to see what was the matter. There. was Mary holdin' out her thumb with a hook in 1t. The barb had gone into the flesh so far that it must be cut out tux out my knife, opened sharp blade and by doin' some slicin' into the thumb took out the hook. l must "a hurt pretty bad. She kep' up till the job was finished, then she fell into my arms with her head on my shoul der.
 ''T didn't think so then, but since I've been satisfied she just pertended to faint on purpose. That's the fust les son in the deceitfulness O wimmen- kind ever had. Even this little gal kid wasn't willin' to let a boy about her own age alone. he goin' his way and she hers.
 ''Waal. when ahe come to or per tended to come to herself she was lyin' In my arms lookin' up in my face. One faintin' want enough, so she had to faint ag'in. The reason for this was that my lips want more n a couple O inches from hern, and l reckon she tainted the second time SOS to give me chance to kiss her.
 ''Waal. done it, like fool, and 1t tasted so good I done 1t ag'in and agin. reckon if I'd kep' on she'd ! stayed unconscious all summer. When she opened her eyes ag'in she pertend ed she didn't know I'd been kissin | her. l tied uE her thumb with her handkerchief and told her to go home | But she didn't. She said she felt weak 1 and sat on the grass with her back up | agin tree.
 ''We sat there till supper time. Then | she went home. and came back | hone too. That was the beginnin' of \ k at The next day went fishin' I 4gain. didn't care for the fish. I l wanted to taste the little gals lips l