The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-03-12

IT FINALLY CAME
BY /. A. CLAY.

river to save human life he would not
have hesitated minute.
II farmers bull had broken out Of
pasture and was on the rampage
through the village, George Shoemak-
er would have been the first to seize
him by the tail and swing him over q
fence.
II the village cooper shop had been
found ablaze some midnight. 1t would
have been George Shoemaker who
would have plunged into the fiery fur
mace to save the kegs and firkins.
There wasn't the least doubt of the
young mans physical courage, but
when 1t came to moral courage he
was sadly lacking.
They couldn't get him to a dance. q
Sunday school excursion, straw ride,
or spelling school. He would 60 to
circus, but he'd take top seat
where no girl would be to the right or
left Of him. Now and then he attend
ed church, but he waited until the
congregation was seated, and then
lodged in and took back seat.
There are lots of men that are moral
towards so far as the other sex are
concerned. That's why there are old
bachelors. Just how they reason It is
hard to say. In fact, they don't reason
at all. II a woman is born to fear a
mouse she fears him. and that's all
there is to it. George realized his fail
ing and had tried hard to overcome it,
but had arrived at the age of twenty
five and was still as bashful as 4
young gosling. Then two important
things came tumbling into his life,
He was chased up tree by mad
dog and when he had come down
again he found himself thinking Of the
opposite sex from new standpoint.
The bashful man didn't stop to ask
if the scare had brought about
the change, but went right on and let
uh0NhCi 'dht pid' e ne NdS twenty
five years old and ought to get mar
ried. His feet began to grow cold at
the thought. but he. took a run around
the school house and came back to
hug the idea. Yes, he ought to have
a wife and home AS the idea
broadened and enlarged he found him
self musing:
Now there is Fanny Desbro. She
Is very plain looking but SO am | for
that matter. She is called a very
steady girl and ought to be good
Dang my buttons, If |
don't get up the courage to court
her."
1t was month later when George
Shoemaker walked home with Fanny
Desbro from prayer meeting He
didn't ask her consent, and she didn't
drive him away. He was surprised to
find himself there, and she was sur
prised that he had broken loose as 1t
were. They walked side by side for
half mile and all he said was
Il wonder if that is the same moon
they see in Africa"
And all she said was:
Il am glad there are no wolves in
Spooner county. should hate to be
eaten alive
A week later the bashful man STOP
ped to talk with the girl at her
fathers gate. He wanted to talk, and
she wanted to talk, but all he could
think of to say was:
They say that 'tater bugs are
mighty plenty this year.
And all she could think of to sav
was:
i hear that Deacon Jason's dog bit
old Mrs. Rodman's COW yesterday"
Was that George Shoemaker out
there?" Miss Fanny's mother asked.
Yes"
Getting brave all at once. isn't he?"
Seems like it.
Well, he's good steady chap and
a girl might fare farther and do
He ought to marry dumb girl to
match himself"
That makes me think. | was read
Ing in paper the other day that
quiet, bashful man like George was
entirely cured of his ailment by
sudden great shock. Perhaps he'll get
one."
One evening fortnight later
George came courting That is, it
was what he called courting He sat
On the edge of his chair and looked
Up at the ceiling and observed:
That doctors had found a new cure
'or indigestion.
That there were more toads around
han he had ever seen before.
That some folks thought the steeple |
If the Methodist church was out of
olumb but he didn't.
That a stranger had arrived at the |
village hotel and taken room for a |
week, and 1t was evident that a bust. |
less boom was about to set in over
he whole country.
On her part Miss Fanny observed
hat she had been told that the school
louse was to be repainted.
That some tramp had burned a hay
tack for Farmer johnson.
That a rat had run over Mrs. Ray (
'urn's bare foot and made her faint
way.
That Grandpa Stivers was already