The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-03-23

played poker, lawn-tennis, and bucket
shops-parted soon with my 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
hoof- prints of King Midas none has
found pursuit SO rich in pleasurable
promise.
But, going back from my theme a
wbile-as lame pens must do was
fool OF the sentimental sort l saw
May Martha Mangrm, and was hers.
She was eighteen. the color OF the
white ivory keys OF new plano. beau
tiful. and possessed by the exquisite
solemnity and pathetic witchery of an
unsophisticated angel doomed to live
In small, dull. Texas prairie-town.
May Marthas father VAS a man hid
den behind whiskers and spectacles
He lived for bugs and butterflies and
all insects that fly or crawl or buzz
or get down your back OF IN the but
ter He was an entomologist, or words
to that effect. He spent his life
seiniug the air for flying fish OF the
June-bug order. and then sticking pins
through 'em and calling EN- names.
There was another besides myself
who thought May Martha Mangum
one to be desired That was Good.
loe Banks. a young man Just home
from college. He had all the attain
ments TO be found In books-Latin.
Greek. philosophy and especially the
higher branches o. mathematics and
logic
II It 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. he 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
could find out which one OF US she
preferred. May Martha was a natural
born non-committal: and knew In her
cradle how to keep people guessing
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 net over
the head Of the young person, daugh
ter, or some such technical appen
dage. who looked after his comforts
| never knew scientists could rise
to such occasions. Old Mangum oral
ly labeled and classified Goodloe and
myself easily among the lowest or
ders of the vertebrates; and in Eng
lish, too, without going any further in
to Latin than the simple references
to Orgetorlx. Rex Helvetii-which is
as TAR as | ever went myself And
he. told us that If he ever caught us
around his house again he would add
us TO his collection
Goodloe Banks and remained away
side when we dared to call at the
house again May Martha Mangum and
her father were gone Gone! The
house they had rented was closed
Their little store of goods and chat
tells was gone also:
And not a word of farewell to eth
er OF US from May Martha-not
white fiuttering note pinned to the
hawthorn bush, not chalk mark on
the gate post nor postcard in the
postoffice to give us clue.
For two months Goodloe Banks and
I-separately-tr every scheme We
could think of to track the runaways.
We used our friendship and influence
with the ticket agent. with livery sta
BILE men railroad conductors, and our
L. l,,t
results
In talking things over one after
noon he said to me:
Suppose you do find her Ed. where
by would you profit? Miss Mangum
has mind Perhaps It is yet un-
cultured. but she IS destined for high.
er things than YOU could give her
have talked with no one who seemed
to appreciate more the enchantment
of the ancient poets and writer's and
the modern cults th~ have assimilat.
ed and expanded their philosophy OF
lite Don't you think you are wasting
your time looking for her2'
My idea" said |. of happy home
in an e,ght-room house IN a grove Of
live oaks by the side Of a charco on a
IeNdS prairie piano. l went on,
with an automatic player IN the sit
ting room, three thousand head OF cat
tie under fence for a starter. a buck
board and ponies always hitched at
post for the missus'-and May Martha
Mangum to spend the profits of the
ranch as she pleases. and to abide
with me, and put my slippers and pipe
away every day in places where they
cannot be found OF evenings. That"
said /. SIS what is to be-and a fig.
a dried. Smyrna. dago-stand fig for
your curriculums cults and philos-
ophy"
She is meant for higher things"
repeated Goodloe Banks
Whatever she IS meant for" I an
swered. 'just now she is out Of pock-