The bee., 1912-12-17
CLUBS WERE TRUMPS


He looked like a gentleman gone to
seed Though patched and frayed as
70 clothing, he was immaculate both
70 dress and person. He sat upon the
Kitchen doorstep, Smelling peas. His
expression betokened reconciled dee-
pair.
BE 90 kind" he said meekIy, but
emphatically, "as not to utter the
word club to me. sir. The induce
ments that could tempt me to join any
kind Of association whatever do not
exist"
Before saying more. he glanced APP
prehensively over his shoulder. Then
ne explained In q low tone:
TO clubs are due all my misfor-
tunes; and endure SUFFICIENT, as
sure you. When was young man
and that seems centuries ago-this
village passed through an epidemic of
clubs. How or why the pestiience
broke out. no one knows. But sud-
denly every one was forming them,
Joining them. canvassing for them.
There was the Farmers club, the
Housewives club the Card club, the
Glee club and a score Of others. Ev-
cry organization had its badge, and
some Of my neighbors proudly wore
I'VE or six.
AT that time was Just young
enough to know all about life. and
was certain that it offered no prize
like personal liberty. Consequently
was a confirmed bachelor-and rather
prone to boast of it, fear. My asso-
ciates were all young men who pro-
claimed loudly that they scorned the
hemale sex. Each had been most
cruelty rejected by some false-hearted
charmer, and when they organized the
Bachelors club the receipt of one re-
lection at least was made a Qualifica- |
ton for membership. / was eager to |
Join, but this excluded me.
Isn't there a way to get around
the ruler I asked Lon Pendleton.
president.
mo he replied. We mustn't be-
gin that way. Don't try to get around
tt--just qualify
Propose to some one?'
Certainly
suppose | am accepted?
You needn't be afraid of that he
replied; then, noticing my look, lame
iy added, select some one who doesn't
like you, mean
That was easily done. Salina
Briggs and had been sworn enemies
since we went barefooted to the dis
trict school. She was bigger than the
teacher then, and called her Jumbo.
She retaliated by calling me Whifret.
The years that had added to her bulk
and coarseness had left me under
sized. but a gentleman and (heml) a
He sent quick, sensitive glance
Into my eyes, and bowed gravely.
Whenever we CHANGED to pass on
the street. she would make some audi
bic remark about me, to raise the
laughter of the congenial friends
around her, and her vulgar laugh
would raise above them all and follow
me fartheet.
'Loathing her as did, nothing ex-
1epk my great desire to join the Bach ,
slors' club could have made me ad- .
iress her-let alone upon such a sub
|ect But in those days when I want
ID thing l went 1t blind as the say
ng is. Moreover. I was sure that
selma would consider my proposal
|oke-perhaps the result Of wager !,
md this I knew would enrage her be- :
rond measure" :
He was silent 30 long, gazing miser- r
ibly into space, that was obliged to :,
peak to him. He looked up pathet- !,
ca1ly and whispered: ;,
'.6he said yes"
'And you" ventured.
81 am gentleman" he returned.
md / nodded.
IF It isn't--er" I began, after
ing pause.
mot at ALL" he answered. "She was
mad to join the Matrons' club, that's
n"
Before could utter a word OF SYM
athy, an untidy head appeared at the
Dor and a coarse voice cried:
-John Hennery, be them peas done
lt7"
And as passed through the gate ]
card in gentle and refined tones:
mo. Selma; they'll be done in a
zinute,"