Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-30

picnic-and they'll let us eat our lunch there. Fresh buttermilk. tool"
 "Lovelyi'' cried Miss Bopp. Didn't tell you we were going to have a perfectly-oo- oo-o-h, Ar-thur-r-r!' It was only a little culvert, but 1t took its revenge for Skeletons momen- tary inattention- He had been gazing into Miss Bopp's eyes and ran the wheels of his car too near the edge Of the culvert. Very neatly the automo- bile plunged nose downward into the ditch and stuck there. its hind wheels kicking up in the air like the legs ton untwined himself from the wheel and grabbed Violet. who was following the example of the automobile, and together they scrambled out onto the
 bank.
 TT guess I won't faint" Violet told him somewhat tremulously, re- adjusting her hat and veil and sticking in hairpins.
 T knew something would happen" Skelton said disgustedly. T tell you this day started all wrong and it's go- ing to be wrong to the finish! How am l going to get it out? Why. l might try standing here and whistling to it-or l might take it by the rear axle and haul it cut if I were Samson, Look at all those cars on the main road a mile over there! We're on a
 side road that any one scarcely ever takes!"
 There's a farmhouse,P Violet said.
 pointing. They trudged along under the hot sun a quarter of mile to the place. It was an abandoned farm
 with no inhabitants.
 T tell you" Violet said with inspira- tion. Let's go back and eat some lunch and get out the patent bottle and we'll feel betteri"
 They tramped back a quarter of mile and Skelton began rummaging in the car. Where did you put the lunCh?" he inquired. Violet regarded
 him blankIy. Why. I left it on the
 hall table for you to take out she faltered.
 Well, it's still there, skelton told her grimly. "A-a-all those lovely chicken salad sandwiches," Violet walled. And cake! And devilled eggs! And hot you awfully hungry? I am!"
 Wearily they walked the mile to the
 main road and devoted themselves to
 the pleasing occupation of holding up
 every car that passed. Usually they were greeted with the cordiality awarded beggars of any type. After two hours a car came by that carried a rope in it's baggage and consented to rescue Skeletons machine. In doing so it backed into the ditch on the oppo- site side and had to be hauled out in it's turn. The owners were very nice, but acknowledged that, on account of the waste of so much time, they would have to give up their trip for the day. Skelton and Violet ate so called food at a cheap village hotel and paid scandalous prices for it. When they came out somebody had stolen the dust coats and the rugs.
 I'm going back home" said Skel- ton fiercely. One mile further a tire blew up.
 At her doorstep Skelton spoke again. There was a sob in his voice. T had planned such pleasant day." he said. q was going toto ask you something toe. Violet, But now-oh, you'd never marry a man who mixes things up as I have to-day! It's just my luck" Miss Bopp laughed joyously for the | first time in some hours. "You-er might ask me and find out" she sug- gested. Come on in and get some thing really fit to eat. Arthur! Well" Skelton breathed as he hast ! fly obeyed. T, don't know that I'm such a firm believer in bad luck after all!'