The Washington herald., 1915-02-02
TIRE YOUNG DUELIsT
BY DONALD ALLEN.

NCoB nght, lslJ-l
Master Robert Roberts was the brother
of Miss Mabel Roberts. Mabel was nine
teen years old, and 1t was remarked by
many persons that she had rather too
much dignity for that age. Not that a
girl shouldn't have some dignity, quite
a bit of dignity, but unless she can thaw
out when occasion demands II rather re-
pels a young man who might otherwise
fall in love with her.
Young Roberts had not acquired his
dignity-he was born with II. He had
been the most solemn infant in the State.
As a boy among boys. he had never been
known TO laugh heartily. When his risi-
bilities were stirred a smile fitted across
his face, but there was never a ha! ha!
hai
Aside from his natural dignity. young
Roberts had a code OF honor. 1t was a
very strict code. II he stole apples he
took care to select the poorest ones. II
he had differences with a boy he per-
mitted that boy to run instead Of fight.
He was scarcely ten years OF age when
he challenged a tin peddler to a duel be-
cause the man kissed the Roberts cook
at the back door. He looked upon 1t as
taking advantage Of a maiden in distress,
though the cook was fifty years old and
weighed 200 pounds.
tleman wos fourteen 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
reek was not safe, but their dignity as
they drove out OF the lodge gates made
him dumb.
In going mile they met an old horse,
two cows and three hogs, but native dig
nifty was perfectly and properly main
tained. Then they reached the trap Des-
tiny had set for them.
Mr.. Giles Eaton. twenty-five years old.
of the city, but stopping for 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 1 buy it?''
IF you have the price. It's on the left
hand side"
Good! My luck has always been left
You may see a girl sitting on the
veranda."
d, "A homely. red-headed girl?"
NO. 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 look to freeze
your blood"
But why?''
Because her self-Tmposed dignity re-
quires it. She has a young brother with
all the dignity of a Noses"
We'll, said the young man, IF see
the girl on the veranda l shan't try to
thaw her out with q 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 ma
chine refused to move. After working
with II for five minutes. Mr.. Eaton saw
that he must crawl under the auto to
look for and FIX the trouble.
Now, to do the crawling act in a
proper manner one must remove his
coat and vest and collar and tie. II
he emerges alive he must have oil and
smut on face and hands. He must also
have a word or two to say.
Mr.. Eaton was lying on his back under
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 situation struck her as
being ludicrous. and she actually giggied.
The brother didn't let down beyond a
smile, and that was mostly OF astonish-
ment that his sister should giggle.
Mr.. Eaton didn't hear the auto ap-
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 q private
car.
Master Robert sat like a gravestone.
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 outr'
''who in the devil Is itr was de-
manded.
"Sir. you are no gentleman
''Who could be. lying on his back under
q darned old autoP'
.-Sir, we desire TO proceed. but you
block the highway"
"Oh-ahi Why didn't you say SOP
And the coatless, vestless. capless and
cuffless young man came crawling out
TO exhibit himself. Then, In an absent
sort Of way, as II he had been hired to
lift the State OF Rhode Island. he gave
his auto a slew and cleared the road. He
noted the dignifed face Of the boy. and
he thought he noted signs OF quiet mer-