The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-02-16
AN OLD
MAIDS HERO
BY NJ QUAD
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Lit
erary Press
BY M QUAD

er. Abe Smith came to work as a
hired man for an adjoining farmer.
Abe was an old bach
1t was fate that kept Amanda an old
maid 1t was fate that brought Abe
all the way from Indiana. 1t was fate
that finally brought the two face to
face. Abe had hardly got through
asking Amanda for the loan of n hoe
when he found his heart tunking with
n strange funk.
Two weeks after the Holsters ap-
pearance band Of gypsies came along
the road, and in return for some cold
victuaIs one OF the women told Aman-
da's fortune.
''You will marry" she started off.
at seems impossible"
but the stars say SO, and they are
never mistaken"
what sort OF husband will he be?
blushingly asked the old maid.
"a hero. You will not know that
he is n hero for some time, but it will
suddenly come to pass. He will save
your life from indignant insects. j
cannot say whether they will be grass
hoppers or not"
The next time Abe called Amanda
looked him over and decided he was
no more OF n hero than the gatepost.
He didn't look it nor talk it, and there
fore when he told his love and asked
for her hand she replied:
81 shall never marry any one but n
hero"
But I'm one. l fit into the Spanish
war, and. lands save you, but how
moved 'em DOWN.
But Abe was thrown down. Aman-
da's brother liked him. but that didn't
count. She had asked Ben what par
ticular insects got indignant, but he
couldn't give her the information. lie
had never seen 4 beetle or n grass
hopper mad, but he had never poked
either with stick. The Hoosicr had
arrived in the early spring. In May
he renewed his offer Of matrimony
He had an affectionate disposition and
500 in his trunk.
You are as good rs any one around
here, Abe" replied Amanda, "but the
stars have settled it for me-"
1.-THE stars be- hanged The stars
have about rs much to do with mar
riage as the June bugsI"
But he is to be hero.''
well, ding it, amt 1 one? I've new
or Dragged much about how 1 moved
the Spanish down, but I'll say to you
right here and now that l killed sew
enteen of 'cm."
why. that was brave of you"
II should remark. but I'm not boast
ing Of it. If the battle had lasted n
little longer I'd have made the num-
Der twenty"
"But the gypsy said it would be some
one who would save my life. I'm kind
or liking you, Abe. but dasn't go back
on the stars and the gypsy"
Abe came over on n dozen occasions
in June and said nothing further. al
though he was more determined than
ever. 1t was the first of July before he
got around to say:
You might as well be bridal tower
ing around as washing tatcrs here
WHAT'S the use of fooling about thing
of this kind:"
The hero may be along any day
now" was the reply.
Say, Manda. that gypsy must have
meant me. She sure did. I've been
counting up since ] told YOU I had
killed seventeen Spauiards, and I find
the number was twenty-seven. 1 add
cd them up wrong. Do you want any
bigger hero than that?"
Lands. Abe. but how you must
have fit
Fit! Well. l guess yes, was
there to do it. and 1 moved 'em.
Lemme get the preacher tomorrer."
Nope. I've got to go by what the
stars say"
There weren't any stars out next
AFTERNOON and no Eypsies around
"heh Amanda started across the
meadow to gather cowsips at the
pond. Swinging basket in her hand
ana humminS tune. she walked right
into bumblebces' nest The hero
was right over in the next lot giving
the corn second hoeinG. He heard
screams. He heard yells. He heard
walls for help. lie ran to the fence
and saw Amanda hopping and run
ming and lodging and using her sun
bonnet as n weapon
Humph"' Erunted Abe rs he ONT
with his knife and cut n thick topped
bush. There's the Indignant insects.
and by gum if here hain't the hero,
Amanda Perkins. you are minc-'
There were half n hundred BUNDLES.
Ihey were thoroughly Indignant.
Ihey made it lively for Amanda. and
they had plenty left over for Abe but
nero always conquers. The suffer
ing nero picked the suffering heroine
up in his arms and toted her to the
mouse and dropped her on the floor to
say:
There. If you are looking for any