The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-07-12

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and a palm-leaf fan; Aunt Joe could
not hobble TO the window. but she
applauded. The rocking chair was
placed over the post-hole, and the
girl sat down with the gun across her
lap.
'Tf it's hung for murder you are
don't blame mel" said the man as he
retreated TO shelter with wobbline
knees.
The foreman Of the gang surveyed
the girl unden, the sharp Of his hand
for a distance. and then slowly ap-
preached. He looked all around for
Culver. He looked at the girl He
looked at the deadly weapon.
els It about the pole?" he asked as
he rested his foot on it.
Miss Nell nodded her head.
They don't want It here?"
Miss Nell shook her head.
"And it's murder on the high seas
II we try to raise it?"
Miss Nell handled the weapon as II
she had been used to shooting three
or four men a day since childhood's
happy hours.
Then. begobs, the civil engineer
can take the bullets himself, and
there he eomes!" said the foreman as
he walked away.
The engineer Of the line was ap-
preaching in a buggy, holding the
reins himself and gazing at the good
looking girl in the rocking chair. He
stopped the vehicle opposite and
raised his hat. In response he received
slight bow. He got out of the buggy
and approached and observed:
Fine day, Miss?'
Not for putting up an old tele-
phone pole here?" was the answer.
He liked the girl and the answer.
He liked the way she held her chin in
the air Her eyes were big and brown,
and they looked right at him. He was
young and susceptible. That is, he
hadn't been all along, but he was now.
He was looking at the girl in the
chair respectfully and soberly when
all at once he burst out laughing
Miss Nell half-pointed the gun in his
direction.
why. it's about the old weapon l
was laughing!" he explained. 1T
isn't loaded. 1t is rusty. 1t has
neither hammer nor trigger"
'But the pole shall not go up here,
sir" was the reply.
BLESS you, is it the pole? Why, 1
thought you were taking a sun-bath.
The Culvers object to the pole. do
they?"
Certainly"
"And you are here to champion
their cause? Why, If there is any OBJ
lection to the pole it shall be placed
further along. Please don't sit in the
sun unless you really want to. l also
observe that the chair is In an awk-
ward position. If Mr.. Culver had any
objections"
He's a grasshopper!" interrupted
the girl.
But If his wife"
"She was out here fighting for her
rights when she sprained her ankle. l
Just EdA4b Lllb lAlOl mug an nON
afraid to talk up to anybody. Couldn't
l have shot any one with this pistol?"
Hardly, and 1 am glad it didn't go
as far as that. 1 pledge you my word
the pole shall not go up here, and you
can retire from the contest with hon.
ors. I-I-that is, 1t strikes me that
ought to call this evening and see
about Mrs. Culver's ankle. AS the en-
gineer of the line"
Has civil engineering got anything
to do with sprained ankles?" asked
Miss Nell as he gave her a hand to
help her out of the lop-sided chair.
"only in the way of begging her
pardon and extending sympathy.
will place the chair inside the fence.
and the deadly old weapon can be re-
stored to its hook You were pre-
pared to sit here all night?"
YES, sir, and for a week longer"
"Just so, but you are saved the
trouble. Did you ever see a telephone
pole raised to position, Miss
Miss-?"
Il know this one won't go up here!"
That is settled. The raising Of
poles is rather a curious performance.
1 will call this evening to tell you all
about It, and to inquire about the
sprained ankle. Yes, rather a curious
performance"
"They have to get the girl out of
the way first, don't they?" was the
impertinent query.
well, didn't hear the gun go of
and anybody scream?" said Aunt Joe
as Miss Nell entered the house and
then peered out Of a window at the
departing young man.
"Say, aunt, he was as nice as he
could be-" was the reply. "He has
black eyes, dark hair, and"
why that's young Bob Thomas,
the engineer of the road That settles
IT, He'd be sure to call, and youn
like each other and you'll stay all
and he'll be here half the
time, and afore fall comes he'll ask
Miss Nell put her hand over the !
others mouth, but It turned out that
way, just the same, and the old pistol
will have place among the parlor