The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-24

done what you asked me to-kindCi
sorted out the applications-and, TAX
in all things into account. / find
no morn four out of the hull eighty
seven that air wuth talkin over. Here
I've writ down sort o history OF
each applicant and with your permis
sion," he settled his formidable steel
bowed spectacles on his fat, red nose
I'm read 'em out:
First: Abraham RufIin; slim.built
man, ffty-eight years of age, resident
Of this township. Says he's a glass
blower by trade, but amt practiced
1t lately. preferrin' to live out o. doors
on account of weak lungs Occupies
cabin in the West Woods and"
What; old Hermit Abel" interrupt.
ed Darius Foss, scornfully. why,
he amt got more'n one shirt to his
back, and I've alters suspicioned him
of havin' made off with bang-up
shoat of mine that / missed from my
upper-iarm! Can't you do no bettern
that"
The chairman did not reply. He
turned up the sputtering wick of the
lamp beside him and went on:
Second Bella J. Belcher of Briar.
town, fleshy man, siXty-four years old,
occupation farmer. Says he's a wild
over and"
Now it was the Mortified exclama-
tion of the Hatch boys that interrupt
ed. The twins spoke excitedly in a
sort of fraternal antiphony. Wild
ower Claims he's a widower, does
he? Why, that's scandalous! He
married a second cousin of mothers
forty years ago. From over Pomfret
way, she was She couldn't stan
him, He had mean ways. Left him
back in so. But she's alive and
fiourishin'! Boardin with her daugh-
ter out near Dayton, Ohio!"
Alonzo LETTERS put down the paper.
He drew long breath and his manner
was severe.
1T don't seem possible to suit you
fellers and / amt more'n half done
yet Jest you hold on till l read the
next, and mebbe you'll think it's more
promisin'.
Third: Oscar Oleson; Swede
forty-seven years old. Resident Of
Farview Corners and vetern of the
Spanish war. At present he has no
occupation-but says his bank ac-
count"
This time the laughter of all his
listeners broke in. Darius Foss found
his voice first.
Bank account! That's an old joke!
Lord, it's too good! Lon letters,
amt you never heard about that?
CHESS the Elder'd have somethin to
say if he was here Don't you re-
member the story of the Swede who
did him in that horse-trade. Guess
he'd "a found a bank account if
there'd been one visible to the naked
eye-Oscar Oleson-Lord, it's too
good. Why, the Elder" Then as
the church clock outside tolled eight
jarring strokes, he broke off suddenly
by George! where is the Elder any
way?' he. asked. He turned sudden
ly at the sound of step on the plat |
form outside. The others followed |
his gaze. The door opened and then,
like a response to an invocation, the |
Elder stepped within. But such an |
Elder! The eyes of his colleagues |
fastened on him wonderingly.
He wore his Sunday suit of black
cuffs of shining whiteness concealed |
his hands; his grizzled hair was part
ed down the middle; brave lawn tie
encircled his ragged neck and in the
buttonhole Of his coat a flower
bloomed! He waved aside the Treas
urer's greeting and, closing the door,
stood with his hand on the knob
Mr.. Chairman" said he, "and gen
tlemen" His voice had in it a quality
new and strange-a gentleness that
was almost apologetic. Gentlemen,
dunno but some sort of explanation
is due from me. ! kinder feel under
handed, though it's all square, as Al
ONO here could tell you. That fourth
application-Ive heard your proceed
ms out there on the stairs-is minc
made out legally and in due form But
this evenin', seem that, as the poets
put it, there amt no time like the
present why, the wilder and me-
not all at once, gentlemen, ! gUess I
do see things some different than | did
three weeks agO-we concluded there
warnt no use to wait and so we
slipped down to the minister's and
was, so to speak, made one! ThereIl
be a little matter Of business for us
to attend to bye and bye, gentlemen,
but now'-he stopped suddenly and
with conscious smile flung wide the
door.
The late widow Hawkins stood re-
yealed She glittered with bright
ness she radiated color she even
diffused a subtle fragrance of Cream
Of Musk" soap!
The Elder took her tightly gloved
hand and led her into the room
But now, gentlemen" he repeated,
let me make you all acquainted with
Mis- Babcoek."
A Smooth Skin.
Black Heads, Chaps, Pimples, Sores
md all unhealthy conditions of the ,