The Parker post., 1914-08-15

on my hands for
life. You primp
and pr1mp, but what good does it do?"
1t was the widow Jones and her
daughter Mary Ann, and while the
mother fused around, the daughter
was ironing the Monday wash. Mary
Ann was homely and ungainly and
an old maid but it wasn't her fault.
Mary Ann laughed and begun hum
ming the words Of a tune, and ten
minutes later she and her mother
were discussing the neighbors and
harmony was restored. The daughter
may not have "primped" again until
after the supper dishes were washed
and put away. Then she said:
Mother, l am going up to the Ark.
wrigEts to see Susan. I'll try and
be back in an hour"
Don't fall over any hogs!"
"Up to the ArkWright's" means up
the long hill and 40 rods beyond, and
the night was rather dark, but vii
layers make their way about like cats
and fear no danger. Mary Ann went
tripping along till the top of the hill
had been reached. An auto stood on
one side of the road with it's lights
out The woman had almost collided
with it before she knew of it's pres
ence. Mary Ann Jones knight had ar
rived-twO Of them. One Of them
threw a shawl over her head, and to-
gether they lifted her into the auto
SUh nth nor
. acted as chauffeur, and away they
went.
Don't you scream!" warned the
man beside her.
II WON'T" she quietly replied
Five minutes later he remarked
that she was girl of sense, and re,
moved the shawl so as to give heI
breath. Mary Ann rewarded him by
leaning hard against his shoulder and
heaving sigh of contentment. Her
face was turned from him and he
could not get view of it. After ex.
hibiting his uneasiness, he said to
the driver in a low voice:
Jim, can we have made a mis-.
take?"
But she's develish quiet"
The auto had struck a gait of 80
miles an hour when it started out,
and this pace is maintained for long
so minutes. Then it turned in and
came to halt at a road house and a
man who came out to meet 1t called
out:
Have any trouble, bOys?"
Not bit" was answered.
Have to tie and gag herr"
mo. She's been very quiet"
HAS, Ell? Let's see"
He walked around the machine and
looked Mary Ann full in the face.
NJ A. j. smiled at him and it was
a smile to melt tar off the roof in Jan.
uary.
'-l'
Is anything wrong?" asked the 9th
er two men in chorus.
Wrong? Wrong? Why, you've got
the wrong party!"
'No 1t can't be-"
And who are your" was asked OF
Mary Ann as he turned to her.
''Me? Why, / am the damsel in
Distress
you fool of woman get out OF
this"
She was assisted to the ground with
a bounce, and she asked:
Amt to be married to some One?"
Not in a thousand years! You
hike"
But how am l to get home from
here?"
Walk, and begin now!"
1t was no way to use trusting and
romantic old maid, but luck was with
her. She hadn't linked" over a mile
when she met farmer and told him
her story. 1t was one to interest, and
he often interrupted with his by
Georges!' and by gums!" When she
had finished he said:
Il am a widower and a farmer, and
live back here ways. I've got gals
that keep house for me. You'll have
TO stay all night with U.s."
When morning came Mary ALn
Jones looked good to the farmer.
More than that he told her so.
You want to marry me?" she quer-
led
"By Jericho, I do! Been lookin'
around for the last five years"
They had time to talk it over next
oay while he was driving her home,
and as a result a preacher was with
them when they entered her mothers
house.
For the lands sake, but what's ali
this!" exclaimed the mother
Just goin' to be married-that's
all!' was the reply.