Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-04-12
A Practical.
Joke
II Turned Out Seriously In
Two Respects
BY ARTHUR d. PURDY


the only serious one In the lot. sup.
pose that this was the reason | fell
In love with Sue. Oppositcs take to
each other. and by good rights Sue
should have returned my proffered NJ
fection. but she did not At any rate.
! couldn't be sure for more than half
an hour at n time that she did. She
would say something very sweet To
me. raising me to the pinnacle Of ec-
stasy. then cast me down by cold treat.
ment.
1t seemed to delight her 10 make me
miserable. and why couldn't under
stand. | wondered why she didn't
play her prnnks on the rest OF the
boys. / couldn't see that they had
any especial advantages over me. Nor
was | considered stupid. Why. then.
had she picked me out to torment;
Sue had kept me In a chronic state
OF fret during the fall and winter. but
when the season was about TO close
seemel inclined TO let up somewhat In
her endeavors 10 make me miserable
Our set agreed to end the winters
festivities by fancy dress ball. De
Gliding upon or getting up costume
was entirely out Of my line. for had
no inventive faculty in such matters.
In my dilemma Sue kindly came to
my assistance. leave II 10 me- she
said. "and | guarantee that you shall
have one Of the most striking costumes
at the ball"
This was not only great relief to
me. but set me up with regard 10 her
preference for me. Had she not picked
me out among all the fellows for an
act OF kindness? And when she told
me that she would make my costume
with her own hands was proud us a
peacock. All she wanted was few
measurements. As TO material. she said
II would cost little or nothing. asked
her what the costume was to he. but
she wouldn't tell me. assuring me that
I would be much pleased with II. |
really cared very little what repre-
sented, whether II was Louis XIV.
Oliver Cromwell or George Washing
ton. | was quite content to leave the
whole matter 10 Sue. believing that she
would provide n costume in keeping
with my dignity.
The afternoon OF the day on which
the ball was TO take place Sue tele.
phoned me that had better come 10
her house and try on my costume.
did so and met with surprise. There
xxsau NE 90 a 80.
ing sensation in It or that II would
DO considered the most striking cos
tune at the ball. I was to represent
bird OF paradise.
On light framework was the body
Of the bird. its feathers made OF tissue
paper. Space was left in the center
for my body. and stockings OF prop
er color were provided for my legs
The tail was wonder. Beautiful
streamers composed OF many hues shot
out In the rear. resembling either the
tail Of bird OF paradise or rainbow.
whichever the beholder chose.
confess was very crestfallen. The
prospect OF disporting myself in this
gaudy apparel was especially dis.
agreeable to me. refused TO use II.
Sue had two or three OF her girl
friends with her. who ut once mani.
tested great establishment that | did
not appreciate II. and Sue herself look
ed very much put out that all her iron.
BILE should have been for nothing. BE
tween them they succeeded In per
suading me to put II on. ! did so and
was no sooner decorated with II than
Beautiful. II will be the finest thing
In the room. What an original idea."
Well. l simply yielded my consent TO
make a fool OF myself. because four
girls set themselves TO the task of
forcing me TO do so. Each one OF
them promised 20 make II easy for me
by their support. giving me the most
Of their time and dances at the ball.
though how I was 10 sweep that three
yards OF tail around In dance I did
not know. and they failed 10 explain.
We are any OF us liable 10 do some
thing and afterward cannot under.
stand how we were silly enough 10
have done II. and this was a case In
point with me. IT, knew all the while
that should refuse 10 wear such n
costume. but didn't have the stamina
IN me TO withstand these girls Be
sides. feared that II failed TO ap-
pear in II after the pains Sue had tax
en- In designing and making II would
break the thread that bound her 10 me
On the night Of the ball was oblig
VI to carry my costume TO the building
Rhere II took place and put II ON there
Had gone through the streets with II
on | should have been mobbcd. The
moment | entered the ballroom every
eye was fixed upon me. The girls who
had persuaded me to wear the bird
stood by their promise 10 support me.
md all clustered about me. each clnlm.
Ing the honor OF the first dance with
me. though they all at last gave way TO
Sue.
shall never forget that dance. Had
been the kind OF fellow 10 make