Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-03-10
HE CHOSE
A GIFT

a silver purse from one finger and re-
garding 1t affectionately.
Young Jetson looked prodigiously
pleased. "You don't say sol" he re-
marked, beaming first on the young
woman and then on the gift which
had proved so acceptable.
"Of course" said Miss Emerson.
looking somewhat embarrassed and
trifing with the silver meshed toy, of
course, you understand that ] am not
In the habit Of accepting such hand.
some birthday presents from my men
friends. 1t is-that Is, my married
sister says it is-awfully bad form
and oughtn't to be allowed"
Young Jetson frowned. IT'S run
ny thing he began, haughtily
Eyes, indeed, that's Just what told
her." interiected Miss Emerson. u
told her that with ones old friends 1t
was quite different--almost like broth
er and sister, you know"
Jetson's frown deepened.
"And, besides" she added, looking
at him with an independent tilt OF her
chin, IT know just as much about 1t as
she does"
Certainly you do" agreed Jetson.
II should have been very hurt II
you had not been willing to accept a
trivial token of esteem from me on
your birthday" he went on. More
over" he said, crossing one leg com.
fortably over the other in placid recol'
lection of past struggle, I'm no end
grateful to you for liking it. You see
well, to tell the truth. I'd heard you
express yourself to the effect that a
gift was not gift unless it was per.
sonally chosen by the giver for the
givee."
Miss Emerson nodded emphatically
And" continued young Jetsor, 81
a fellow sends a girl the usual flow
ers or candy he doesn't exercise any
particular niceties of taste; do you
think he does? He simply dives In
at the florists door and tells him to
send a dozen long ones to given
address, and then he rushes back tc
his desk. When he wants to gel
candy he sends the Office boy. That
is still worse. And nobody but ar
imbecile sends books to girl with
out knowing her TASTE"
II should think" remarked Miss
Emerson, raising her eyebrows 9
fraction of a shade. that you nigh,
be tolerably familiar with mine"
ooh. certainly" agreed young Jet
son, hastily. II am, indeed; but. 70,
see. on this occasion wanted to give
you something that would prove t.
you that had sgone to personal trou
BILE in selecting remembrance"
Really" said Miss Emerson. grow
ing chillier each moment, II regre
that was~the csuse Of SO much in
convenience. You seem to have beer
positively agitated in the matter"
Naturally, was" he retorted, get
ting to his feet and regarding he
sternly from his superior height. ICON
sidering that never really selected
a present for girl before"
He thrust his hands into his peck
cts and continued to glare. She BIZ
her lip in vain effort to repress ,
smile.
II was looking for something use
| full" went on Jetson. II didn't sup
pose you would care for a yard o
copper neckchain, or an engraved pi,
knife. or a hand painted umbrella.
"'Why not an umbrella?' urged on,
salesman who was wasting time OF
me-; Umbrellas are always useful
"'My dear SIR said to him, :
should prefer to hold my own umbrel
Ia over this particular young lady
Besides. why buy an umbrella? Ev
cry household has private collec
tion.'
"The man sighed. Get her a golt
| pencil he suggested next.l
Miss Emerson glanced up with ,
very special smile.
But l told him." went on Jetson
"that she usually borrowed mine
Try again. said to him"
Jetson coughed gently, and thec,
was pause. HE was a most dis
corning fellow. that salesman" he re
marked to the top of Miss Emerson,
head. DO you want to know wha
he said next?"
She nodded Jetson drew Ion,
breath.
Young man. said that salesman
looking at me over pair of wabbl,
nose glasses, what you want to Civ.
that young lady is hoop ring with .
cut glass dewdrop!"
There was another silence.
"The impertinent thing!" said Mis-.
Emerson. finally, in a very small
voice.
"See here, JESSIE" protested youn.
Jetson, sitting down beside her ant
speaking with determination, you d,
that fellow an injustice. He was al
right. that man! Erin fact, l tool
his advice later. No sidstepping
please.
"Ah. 1t fits better than I dared te
hope. Don't bother to take 1t on. II
make you present Of the box"
Some Questions.
How far is far cry? Is It wrong t
steal march? Can Won hmm, an air ~