The Taney County republican., 1911-12-28

Sometimes Mildreds despairing
family would take her aside after such
outbursts and demonstrate with her
Their words ranged from fearful sup
plicauon to roaring threats, but the
effect in all cases was precisely moth
ing. Mildred would turn her rather
prominent, accusing eyes upon her
mentor and say: We'll, but It's true,
isn't it? What's wrong about telling
the TRUTH"
As time went on her family de
SPARED of ever finding q cure for this
oblIQuity of Mildred's mind. They
would sacrifice much in order to jolt
her into becomingly tactful state of
conscience. They finally concluded It
was hopeless.
II irritated Mildred's mother to sail
out In a brand-new gown made from
an old one sent her by q rich aunt
and then to hear her daughter chirp:
You'd never guess mother hadn't
gone downtown and bought that goods
by the yard, would you? Aunt Sarah
is so much larger than mother that
things cut down nicely for her!"
In response to her mothers some
what heated remarks after this par
ticular performance Mildred retorted,
shocked: why, you actually weren't
trying to make them think It was new
when It wasn't, were you? That
would be deceiving them!"
Of course, this reply would floor
any perfectly good mother stu. rs
Mildreds mother said, 1t was infuriat.
ing to have a daughter so devoid OF
common sense.
Mildred was just as downright In
regard to abstract things, too. She
carefully explained that her brothers
eyes didn't really fail him at college,
but that he was expelled because he
got into so many scrapes. She also
pointed out that, even though he did
have prominent jaw, his character
lacked decision and that he threw his
things on the floor instead Of hang
Ing them up
So when she became engaged TO Ru-
fus Price her family, in spite of their
disappointment, were relieved They
felt that henceforth Mildred would be
kept busy pointing out all Of Rufus
defects and faults and sins TO him, so
that they would get much needed
rest.
II there was anything Rufus had In
abundance It was faults. II he had
stood ten miles away and let you fire
a shot at him it would have been I'm
possible to escape hitting a fault or
so. The more Mildreds family thought
about II the more Rufus appeared to
them like a great blessing
They were talking It over one even.
ing when Mildred was supposed TO be
upstairs.
"He is so homely," said Mildred's
mother, "and so awkward and so
slow"
And he'll never make dollar" In.
terrupted Mildred's father.
And his temper," suggested Mil
dred's brother. Gee! Cross grain
ed"
Then they all stared at Mildred.
who, apparently, had risen out Of the
floor.
She breathed hard. 'T should think
you'd all be ashamed of yourselves!"
she stormed. ITO malign a perfectly
wonderful man like Rufusl Homely!
Where are your eyes? He has a mar.
velously strong face! And just be-
cause he doesn't hop around like a
dancing master is no sign that he Is
awkward! He has the sweetest dis
position on earthl AS to making
money. II he isn't ten times smarter
than any of the men in his family I'd
like to know it! He is perfectly
splendid, and you can Just all apollo.
gize!"
I'VE apologize, all right" gasped
her brother, who was the first Of the
family to recover. 'If falling in love
L.