The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-02
The EDenine Story
me YONG 'Daellst.
fBv Donald Allen.l

brother of Miss Mabel Roberts. Mabel
was - years old, and It was remarked
by many persons that she had rather
too much dignity for that age. Not
that girl shouldn't have Tome dig
nit quite q bit Of dignity. but unless
she can thaW out when OccA1iou de-
mands It rather repels q young man
who might otherwise fall In love with
her.
Young Roberts had not acquired his
dignity-he was born with t. He
d beer the most solemn infant In
the STATE. Az q boy among boys. he
had never been known to laugh hear
tily. When his risibilities were stirred
| smile fitted across his face. but
there was never ha ha ha
Aside from his natural dignity.
young Roberts had code Of honor.
1t was very strict code. II he stole
a. pies he took care to select the poor
est ones. II he had differences with
boy he permitted that boy to run
instead of fight. He was scarcely 10
years OF age when he challenged
tin peddler to q duel because the man
kissed the Roberts cook at tho back
door. He looked upon 1t as taking
advantage OF a maiden in distress.
though the cook was 81 years I'D and
weighed 200 pounds.
The day that the honorable young
gentleman was II years old he went
with his dignified sister Mabel for a
spin in the auto.
The gardener was inclined to tell
them he had heard the bridge over
Goose creek was not safe. but their
dignity as they drove GU. Of the
lodge gates made him dumb.
In going q mile they met an old
horse. two cows and three hogs, but
native dignity was perfectly and prop
erly maintained. Then they reached
| the rap Destiny had set for them.
n n - = =
city. but stopping for a few days with
his brother. decided on an auto drive.
He turned up the road instead of
down because his sister-in-law said:
about four miles up the road you
will come to a white house on a hill"
And shall I buy it?"
IF you have the price. It's on the
left. hand side"
Good! My luck has always been
left-handed."
You may see girl sitting ON the
veranda-"
"A homely red-headed girl?"
mo, sir. Good-looking."
And she will raise her eyes to me
and blush %
IF she raises her eyes to you at all
it will be to give you a look to freeze
20 VI blood"
But why?''
Because her self-imposed dignity re-
quires it. She has a young brother
with all the dignity Of Noses"
WELL" said the young man, IF see
the girl on the veranda I shan't try
to thaw her out with a SMILE. Haven't
time. you see.''
! When he had proceeded along the
road until the white house on the hill
| came into view his auto suddenly
swerved into the fence. Nothing was
broken. but when backed out. the
machine refused to move. After
working with it for five minutes, Mr..
Eaton saw that he, must crawl under
trouble.
coat and vest and collar and tie. If
he energies alive he must have oil and
smut on face and hands. He must
also have word or two to say.
| Mr.. Eaton was lying on his back un-
der the machine when the brother and
sister came up. AS his auto stood
across the highway the other had to
halt. Miss Mabel had all her dignity
with her. but something in the situa-
ton struck her, as being ludicrous, and
didn't let down beyond a smile. and
that was mostly of establishment that
his sister should gigsle-
Mr. Eaton didn't hear the auto APP
proach, and as he worked away, Of
course he said things. Why not? He
said them to himself and not to the
public. No couple or any other num-
Der had any right to come sneaking up
to overhear things meant for a private
ear
! Master Robert sat like a grave
stone. Miss Mabel smiled and turned
her head away. She kept seeing more
and more humor in the situation.
It was Master Robert who at length
got down and tapped the feet sticking
out and said: "Sir. come QUIT"
who in the devil is it," was de-
manded.
"sir. you are no gentleman
who could be. lying on his back
| under a darned old autO!
''Sir, we desire to proceed. but you
block the highwa.-"
"Oh-ah! Why didn't you say so 20
| And the coatless, vestless. capless
| and cuffless young man came crawl
! ing out to exhibit himself. Then. in
an absent sort of way, as il he had
been hired to lift the state Of Rhode
Island. he gave his auto a slew and
cleared the road. He noted the dig
nified face of the boy. and he thought
he noted sings Of quiet merriment on
the part of the young lady. For five
minutes he loked after them, and was
too perturbed to keep track of the
number of times he kicked himself.
Two hours after he reached the
house of his brother. Mr.. Eaton re-
ceived caller. 1t was Robert Rob-
erts.
''Sir." he began. 'I'm informed that
your name is Mr.. Eaton"
THAT is correct"
''You were under your auto on the
road when Miss Roberts. my sister.
drove up with me-"
| 81 was"
"And you made use of strong Ian
guage, sir-very strong.
''It was q time for strong language.
Did you ever try it ?'
II never did, sir. There IS never q
time when q gentleman should use
strong language in the presence of q
lady