Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-03-22

pldyeu poker, ldWn-tennlS, anu DuChet-
shops-parted soon with my money In
many ways. But there remained one
role OF the wearer of cap and bells
that l had not played. That was the
seeker after buried treasure. To few
does the delectable furor 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 a
while--as lame pens must dol was
fool of the sentimental sort saw
May Martha Mangum. and was hers.
She was eighteen. the color Of the
white ivory keys of new piano, beau
tiful, and possessed by the exquisite
solemnity and pathetic witchery Of an
unsophisticated angel doomed to live
In a small, dull. Texas prairie-town.
May Martha's father was 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
seining 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. 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 OF mathematics and
logic.
If It hadn't been for his habit of
pouring out this information and learn
I'd have liked him pretty well. But,
even as 1t was. he and 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 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-s little butterfly
must have told hinn-that two young
men were trying to throw a net over
the head OF the young person, a 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 Orgetorix, Rex Helvetii-which Is
as far as | ever went myself. And
he told us that II he ever caught us
us to his collection.
Goodloe Banks and remained away
five days, expecting the storm to sub
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 word Of farewell to eth
white, fluttering note pinned to the
hawthorn-bush; not chalk mark on
the gate post nor postcard In the
postofiice to give us clue.
For two months Goodloe Banks and
I-separatrly-trled 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 ouI
one lone. lorn constable. but without
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 1t 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 enehantmen
Of the ancient poets and writer's ant
the modern cults that have, assimilat
ed and expanded their philosophy o.
life. Don't you think you are wasting
your time looking for herr
"My idea" said /. 'of a happy hom,
in an eight-room house int grove o
live oaks by the side of a charco on 1
Texas prairie. A piano." j went on
with an automatic player In the sit
ting room, three thousand head of cat
tie under fence for starter. a buck
board and ponies always hitched at ,
post for the missus'-and May Marth,
Mangum to spend the profits of tn,
ranch as she pleases. and to abid,
with me. and put my slippers and pip,
away every day In places where the.
cannot be found OF evenings. That.
said /. SIS what is to ibe-and a fe
dried. Smyrna. dago o-stand fig 10
your curriculums. cults and philos
ophy."
"She is meant for higher things.
repeated Goodloe Banks.
Whatever she is meant for" ar
swered. lust now she is out Of pocl
ct. And l shall find her as soon a
can without aid OF the colleges.
THE game is blocked said Coco