Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-04-26
A VERY WISE
YOUNG MAN

Fred Somers and mis- widowed moth
er we're having a family talk in the
library. Fred was still in college,
but he was a very wise young man.
He was so wise that ne had attempted
to dictate to his sister, Edith, az to
how her smiles were to be distrib-
uted
Yes, | wish Edith were more tract
able" sighed the mother.
"Tractablei" exclaimed the son.
why, / hadn't spoken 20 words to
her when she famed up and said |
needed a guardian myself. I'm "a and
she is under 20 and yet she will not
take my advice. What are you going
to do with such girl?"
I'VE will have to argue with her"
Can you argue with a girl who has
her fists doubled up? Now let's go
over the list again. There is Waters,
who is a perfect ninny. There is
Thompson, who hasn't got a dollar.
There is Rush. who is perfect sissy.
There is Alvord, who sings passably
we'll but will never earn s25 a week.
There is Clingham who is living on
his poor old mothers bounty. The
whole five rolled into one wouldn't
make a man and yet she keeps them
dangling around her"
Edith Somers had at least the five
callers named at the family council.
Two or three of them had escorted
her to the theater Another had Ia
ken her to the horse show She had
bowed to them on the avenue or in
the park and she had chatted and
smiled at home. What of it2 Can't
a girl do that and much more without
being in love? Her 2+year-old broth
er viii say no. Edith Somers hadn't
yet given thought to marriage.
In his class were three different
young men Fred liked exceedingly
we'll He invited them by turns to
run down home with him and Of
course sister Edith met them As far
as Fred could make out they were
simply added to the five heretofore
mentioned He believed they we're
impressed, but Just as soon as he be-
gan sounding their praises Miss Edith
began talking with the canary or
playing with the cat When he turn
ed and began criticising them she
would go to the piano and strike up
ragtime.
Another family council was called.
81 throw up my handsl" announced
Fred in tones of despair.
What's she done now?" meaning
Edith.
Got two more! One has been in
an insane asylum. ] believe, and the
other will soon get there. I started to
say something to her an hour ago.
but she elevated her nose and walk
ed off"
II had five beaux at one time
myself" replied the mother who
thought the case had not yet arrived
at the danger point
But she's got re ana more coming
every minutei"
But she can't care for them all"
But you see .she'n pick out the
pee#eseehe- Of the lott --s-- $50
Summer opened; Fred came home
on his Vacation and the trio went to
lake resort. The dozen danglers were
heart-brokena but Edith Somers didn't
seem a bit east down. At the end Of
aefortnight new face appeared at
the Somers' table Fred sized up the
stranger and said to himself:
"Homely enough to stop a clock. No
fear OF Edith taking to him "
And after several furtive glances
across the table Edith said to herself:
Strong. sensible. unromantic.
might like him"
p After three or four days there were
intfoductions. The stranger was
George French, mining engineer
Mr. French was invited to go out in
a sail boat with the trio. Mr.. Fred
was "A years old and he took charge
CT the boat There was no great call
Tor wisdom in the managing Of a sail
boat in a gusty day All that is need
ed is about five years experience.
Ten minutes of exhilaHation and
then a gust struck her and she went
over The wise Fred vas tangled up
with the sail and the two ladies were
ready to go to the, bottom when Mr..
French got clear Of the rope tangled
-abes3t- Ais=legs= afaa=Aega n=snriS@ He
reached out an arm for all and gath
cred them to the overturned boat and
directed and- chilled and encouraged
untif-iE1e rescuer came.
It was three months later that Fred
soners said to his sister:
Eddie. what's become Of that civil
engineer"
"Ouf vest, I believe" was the an
swer