Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-04-12


- pretended my matrimony
played poker. lawn-tcnnis, and bucket
fhops--parted soon with 10Y money IN
many ways But there remained one
role OF the wearer OF cap and bells
that had not played. That was the
seeker after buried treasure. To few
does the delectable Juror come. But
Of all the would-be followers In the
footprints of King Midas none has
found pursuit so rich in pleasurable
promise.
But. going back from my theme q
while-as lame pens must dol was a
fool OF the sentimental sort. l saw
May Martha Mangum. and was hers.
She was eighteen. the color OF the
white ivory keys Of new plano. beau
tifui. and possessed by the exquisite
solemnity and pathetic witchery OF an
unsophisticated angel doomed to live
In n small dull, Texas prairie-town.
May Martha's father was man hid
den behind whiskers and spectacles.
He lived for bugs and butterflies and
all insects that ny or crawl or buzz
or get down your back or In the but
ter, He was an entomologiat. or words
to that effect He spent his life
SEEMING the air for flying fish OF the
June-bug order. and then sticking pins
through 'em and calling 'em names.
There was another besides myself
who thought May Martha Mangum
one to be desired. That was Good
loe Banks. young man just home
from college. He had all the attain
ments to bs found In books-Latin.
Greek. philosophy and especially the
higher branches OF mathematics and
logic.
II 1t hadn't been for his habit OF
pouring out this information and learn
Ing on every one that he addressed
I'd have liked him pretty well. But.
even as It was. be and l were. you
would have thought. great pals.
But. In our talks together and In our
visits and conversation with May
Martha. neither Goodloe Banks nor
l could find out which one OF us she
preferred May Martha was natural |
born non-committal: and knew In her
Old Man Mangum certainly was
absent-minded. After long time he
found out one day--a little butterfly |
must have told him--that two young |
men were trying to throw a net over
the head OF the young person. daugh-
ter. or some such technical appen-
dage. who looked after his comforts.
i never knew scientists could rise
TO such occasions. Old Mangum oral
" labeled and classified Goodloe and
myself easily among the lowest or
iers of the vertebrates: and In Eng
ish. too. without going any further In
% Latin than the simple references
o Orgetortx. Rex Helvetii-which is
,s far as | ever went myself And
he told us that II he ever caught us
Iround his house again he would add
Is to his collection.
Goodloe Banks and remained away
I've days. expecting the storm to sub
ide. When we dared to call at the
ouse again May Martha Mangum and
er father were gone. Gonei The
ouse they had rented was closed.
els was gone Also.
And not word OF farewell to eth
r OF us from May Martha--not
lhite. nuttering note pinned to the
awthorn-bush: not chalk mark on
he gate post nor postcard In the
to give us clue.
For two months Goodloe Banks and {
-separately--tried every scheme We {
ould think OF TO track the runaways
We used our friendship and influence
18th the ticket agent. with livery sta G
10 men. railroad conductors. and our {
ne lcne. lorn constable. but without |
ssults.
In talking things over one after. q
Don he said to me:
Suppose you do find her. Ed. where I
, would you proftg Miss Mangum
as mind. Perhaps It is yet I'M a
iitured. but she Is destined for high. n
! things than you could give her. | 0
ave talked with no one who seemed p
appreciate more the enchantment A
the ancient poets and writer's and q
10 modern cults that have assimilat- u
and expanded their philosophy OF
e. Don't you think you are wasting e.
,ur time looking for herr
my idea" said I. ''cf a happy home a
an eight.room house In grove OF e
% oaks by the aide Of a charco on a al
sxas prairie. A plano" | went on. o.
nth an automatic player In the sit RI
~ room. three thousand head OF cat L
under fence for starter. a buck. d.
ard and poniss always hltched at CO
st for the missas'--and May Martha @
angum TO spend the profits OF the
nch as she pieases. and to abide OF
IN me. and pat my slippers and pipe 70
Iay every day In places where they dc
mot be fosud OF evenings That" TO
Id |. ia what is TO be-ard ig. m
dried. Smyrna, dsgo-stsnd fig for NJ
UT eurrieulums. cults and phllos-
by. ht
she II meant for higher things" hi
peafed Goodloe Banks. III
Whatever she Ia meant for" I an til