Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-03-20

Then they all talked at once, each
one outlining a different plan for the
finding of Addie Benefits old lover
and bringing about a reconciliation be-
tween them. &
The Queen City entered the East
river all too soon for their purposes. for
there was so much of interest to be
observed here that all thoughts of
Addie Bennett and the errand of mercy
popped out of their heads until Susan
Beers. gaping up at the Blackwelrs
island bridge, made a suggestion.
wouldn't lit be awful if WI found
he'd committed some crime and was
in prison on this island? Maybe he's
one of them men in striped clothes
over there.' she pointed dramatically
with a fat forefinger.
Miss Ophelia Otis stiffened at once.
"Rob Decker was my sisters hus-
bands nephew she said coldly. 1T
would be impossible for him to enter
such an Institution"
Miss Beers blushed painfully. 81 was
only thinking" she said alphabetically.
Seems to have a bad effect on you.
Susan" Uttered young Ethel Shuster
impertinently. Don't think any more.
pleaseiv
"Ethelr' warned her mother.
81 don't care. ma, but it does seem
so funny to think of you all feeling
so sorry for Addie Bennett. She went
off on the train this morning wearing
a new gray suit and a white hat, and
she looked real sweet and happy. 1
don't believe she's mourning for Rob
Decker"
keep quiet. Ethel Don't let me
hear you debating to your elders any
more. What do you know about Addie
Bennett, anywayY'
Just before the Queen City paused
at the pier to let off her passengers.
Mrs. Hen Tucker blushingly suggested
Ato her companions that they spend a
moment in silent prayer for the success
of their mission-the finding of a hus-
band for Addie Bennett. So the twelve
ladies' closed their eyes and offered up
silent prayer and thereby nearly lost
an opportunity to leave the boat at
this point.
When the steamer had faded into
the mist of river traffic the band of
mercy trudged up the long pier to the
blazing city streets.
"We forgot to eat our lunch! an
nounced Susan Beers suddenly.
"For the lands sake! What shall we
do now?"
With one accord they turned to Mrs.
lien Tucker.
''What shall we do. Annie?s they
asked in chorus.
Mrs. Tucker pointed a work worn
thumb over her shoulder.
"Take a cross town car to Broadway
and eat our lunch in the park there.
Then we can separate and look for
Rob Decker
They fell into marching order and
approached the electric car.
"It's dreadful hot to go ~skylarkinp
all over creation hunting for Rob Deck
err" grumbled Mrs. Peevey.
at amt never too hot to do a good
deed" a~dmonished Mrs. Tucker, wrig-
Cling her nose.
81 s'pose some of us'll miss that
boat complained Susan Beers, who
showed signs of weakening.
1--WE can go home by train them
said Mrs. Tucker valiantly.
At this moment they boarded the
car, and Mrs. Lew Shuster. who was
treasurer of the society, rendered the
conductor a dollar bill and requested
him to let them off at the park.
He eyed her indifferently and walked
away.
1t was Mrs. Hen Tucker who recog-
nized the square when they reached
Broadway, and she led her sisters to
the little breathing pace.
So the loungers in the sunny square
were treated to the singular sight of
twelve hot and fiustered ladies and one
pretty young girl eating delectable
lunches out of twelve shoe boxes.
At last it was over and they were
free of the shoe boxes and away from
the hungry eyed loafers and ragged
boys who had watched them through
the meal.
1tACutly tnC1 nalhCO lh1OuSh lhC
square to the busiest corner of the
great street.
Here it was that temptation assailed
them and the Ladies' Aid society for
got the errand of mercy.
A large sightseeing bus was drawn
up at the corner. and the megaphone
man was blaring forth invitations to
them to come and fill the remaining
unoccupied seats.
The twelve eyed each other furtively,
and Ethel Shuster nudged her moth
er's elbow.
"Oh. ma" she whispered. "let Addie
Bennett find her own beau. We won't
get a chance like this for another
Year,
The others heard the words, and as