Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-03-02

had dwelt among the most practical
people, and the hard knocks he had
received as he made his way in the
new country had vanquished all the
pretty romantic fancies that atteno
every man. woman and child born on
Erin's isle.
A block away the elevated trains rat.
tied and Numbered along. Al around
him was the busy hum of traffic. and,
unseeing, unhearing, Daniel Delayan
walked along in Il dream of fairies and
friendly giants, who combined to has
ten his wooing of Nellie Burns and
bring it to a happy termination.
At the florist shop he awoke long
enough to buy pot of shamrock tied
up in green Grape paper, and from
thence he proceeded to a confection-
er's, where he found a large box of
candy tied with an emerald green rib
bon and adorned with shamrock leaves.
That finished the 49,
The rest of the afternoon he spent
in accommodating some of the necessary
cleansing materials with which to
brighten the lamp of Aladdin. He de-
cided to wait until he was with Nellie
Burns before he touched the verdigris.
If there was anything in the story the
man had told-of course there wasn't
anything in it, but Daniel had heard
some mighty queer stories that bore a
grain of truth-the most he hoped for
was a stroke of good luck to attend his
asking of the question.
The next afternoon was a half holi-
day for him, and he went up to Har-
lem, with his packages under either
arm. He had telephoned Nellie of his
coming, and she greeted him at the
door. He thought she had never look
ed so charming as she appeared in her
white dress with a green ribbon twist
ed around the heavy coil of her black
hair.
"And whatever have you got in there
Danny?" she cried when she had ex-
claimed over the shamrock and the
box of candy.
'Tts Aladdin's lamp" said Daniel
solemnly, slowly christening the string
and exposing the lamp. Il suppose
you've heard all about this Aladdin
fellow, eh?
"Of course" laughed Nellie, examin-
ing the lamp with interest, but that
all happened hundreds of years ago, so
you can't joke me like that, Danny
Delavan. Sure, l won't believe your
old fairy stories"
"There might be something in it."
returned Daniel doggedly.
Smells like OIL" shifted Nellie. with
her pretty nose at the aperture.
II mean something in the story. The
fellow said you had to rub, rub hard,
and the genius or whatever you call it
would come out and grant every wish"
do you believe that, Danny?' asked
Nellie seriously, her soft black eyes
meeting his for a confused moment.
"Td like to believe it," said Daniel
promptly, with wistful glance at the
lamp.
"Why?"
Because want to make some
wishes"
"They will come just as true without
the lamp" suggested Nellie skeptically.
"You needn't try to fool me, Danny
Delavan! You bought that lamp be-
cause it was green and because today
is my birthday as well as st. Patrick's,
and you know very well you don't be-
lieve that rubbing it will do the least
bit of good-so therew
Daniel smiled sheepishly. at might
be something like that, Nellie. but l
was all carried away with the story
and so beset by hopes l was fool
enough to buy the lamp. thought I'd
60 home and rub it and wish on it.
I'm a fool"'
"You are mott" fiared Nellie. II like
you for having fancies like that. Dan
iel. I'll admit l have a sneaking be-
lief in fairies myself. Now, let us rub
the lamp and make wishes. Who
knows what will happen?"
She opened the box of paste he had
bought and found a piece of flannel
They sat together on the sofa while
Nellie solemnly rubbed the paste on
the coat of verdigris. The spot she
rubbed grew brighter and brighter.
"Now visit" she said suddenly.
Daniel grew red and nodded his head
affirmatively. Nellie was thoughtful
for a moment and then bent seriously
to her task.
Nothing happened.
Suddenly Daniel snatched the lamp
from her hands and flung it aside
"T'm big fool" he said bitterly. "Pm
too tongue tied ever to get anything in
this world"
Nellie blushed beautifully and stood
beside him. what did you wish, Dan
n.y." she asked softly.
THAT you'd marry me-" flashed
Danny. whirling around. "What did
you wish. Nellie?"
THAT you'd ask newly, Danny!
Her radiant face was buried on his
shoulder.
at came as easy as could be-" he
whispered to her after he had related
his doubts and fears and the loss OF
the emerald ring.
ITS all that blessed old lamp
sighed Nellie 1--WE will always have
that on the parlor mantelpiece, and we
will always believe in fairies and
giants, won't we, Danny"
"Sure! Because if it hadn't been fol
the lamp Of Aladdin might not have
been engaged to you this moment"
said that happy young man.
ZR a