Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-02-17

the inn, and we arranged I was to
stop in and start you a fire and dc
any other little errands you might
want done. I thought we ought to
get acquainted, you and me, being as
we're both literary men, after a man
ner of speaking"
MOP" cried Mr.. Magee.
Yes" said the hermit of Bald
pate. II dip into that work little
now and then. Some of my verses on
the joys of solitude have appeared in
print-on the postcards sell to the
guests in the summer. But my life
work, as you might call it. is a book
I've had under way for some time
It's called simply, 'Woman'-just that
one word; but, oh, the meaning in it!
that book is going to prove that all
the trouble in the world from the be-
ginning Of time was caused by fe-
males. Not just say so. mind you.
Prove it,"
"a difficult task, I'm afraid" smiled
Magee.
Not difficult-long," corrected the
hermit. when 1 started out four
years ago thought it would just be a
case of chapter on Eve and honor
able mention Of Cleopatra and Helen
of Troy and a few more like that and
the thing would be done. But as I
got into the subject I was fairly
/ Than Mr.
Carnegie came along and gave Upper
Asquewan Falls a library. It's Won
derful to think the great works that
man will be responsible for. I've dedi-
Gated Woman to him. Since the new
library I've dug up information about
a thousand disasters never dreamed
of before, and I contend that If you
go back ways in any one Of 'em
you'll find the fluffy little lady that
started the whole rumpus. So I hunt
the woman. I reckon the French
would call me the greatest cherchez
la femme in history"
"a fascinating pursuit" laughed
Mr.. Magee. I'm glad you've told me
about it, and I shall watch the pro-
gress of the work with interest, al
though 1 can't say that I entirely
agree with you. Here and there is
woman who more than makes amends
for whatever trouble her sister have
caused. One, for instance, with gold
en- hair and eyes that when they
weep
You're young" interrupted the
little man, rising. There amt no use
to debate it with you. I reckon I'll
start your fire."
He went into the outer room, and
Mr.. Magee lay. for a few moments
listening to his preparations about
the fireplace.
II say Mr. Peters," he cried, leap
ing from bed and running into the
other room, where the hermit was
persuading a faint blaze, 1--WE an idea.
You can cook can't you?"
"Cook?" repeated the hermit.
'Well, yes; I've had to learn few
things about it, living far from the
rathskellars the way do"
1.-The very man." rejoiced Mr.. Ma
gee. "You must stay here and cook
for me-for u.s.
| "Us?" asked the hermit, staring.
| Yes. I forgot to tell you. After
Mr.. Quimby left me last night two
other amateur hermits hove in view.
One is haberdasher with broken
heart
Woman" cried the triumphant
Peters.
| Name, Arabella," laughed Magee.
'The others a college professor who
made an indiscreet remark about
blonds. You won't mind them, I'm
sure, and they may be able to help
you lot with your great work"
II don't know what Quimby will
say" studied the hermit. II reckon
he'll run 'em out. He's against this
thing-afraid Of fire."
"Quimby will come later" Mr.. Ma
gee assured him, drawing on dress
| ing gown. "Just now the idea is
little water in yonder tub and nice
cheerful breakfast after. It's going
to pay you a lot better than selling
| postcards to romantic ladies,
promise you. I won't take you away
from a work for which the world is
painting without more than making it
up to you financially. Where do you
stand as coffee maker?"
"wait till you taste it," said Peters
reassuringly "I'll bring you up some
water"
He started for the door, but Mr..
Magee preceded him.
1.-The haberdasher," he explained.
sleeps below, and he's a nervous
man. He might commit the awful err
ror of shooting the only cook on
Baldpate mountain"
Mr.. Magee went out into the hall
and called from the depths the figure
of Bland, fully attired in his flashy
garments and looking tawdry and
tired in the morning light.
1--WE been up hours" he remarked.
Heard somebody knocking around
the kitchen, but I amt seen any
breakfast brought in on silver tray.
My inside feels like the Mammoth
cave"
Mr.. Magee introduced the hermit
of Baldpate.
| PLEASED to meet you, said Bland.
II guess it was you I heard in the
kitchen. So you're going to cater to
this select few, are you? Believe me,
you can't get on the job any too soon
to suit me-"
Out of a nearby door stepped the
black garbed figure of Professor
Thaddeus Bolton, and him Mr.. Ma
gee included in the presentation cere-
monies.
| They talked little, being men unfed.
while Jake Peters started proceed
ings in the kitchen and tramped up
stairs with many pals of water.
| You amt going to see any skirts
up here Mr.. Bland promised him.
And Mr. Peters bringing the water