The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-13
Three none
By EUNlCE BLAKE

and Mrs. Doncaster they were named
with facetious tntent-Thomas, Rich
ard and Henry; in other words. Tom.
Dick and Harry. When the brothers
came Of age they made their homes
in different localities. Three years later
| they arranged a reunion.
One of the first questions was, Are
you engaged?" though the way 1t was
put to Tom was, Have you got a
girlf" To which he replied, Il haven't
got a girl. but a girl has got me-"
What do you mean by that?" We'll,
| I'm in love with Julia Atkinson, but
she won't have me-" Doesn't she love
your" "She says she does, but claims
that / have two defects, either Of
which make me untitled to be her hus-
band" What are they?" First, l
am undemonstrative. She doesn't want
a cold man. Second, look on the dark
side of everything. She calls me Mr..
Dismal"
Suppose" Tom went on, you, Dick,
call on Julia, personating me. She'll
never know the difference. Plaster her
all over with your taffy. Next time
you go, Harry. and give her hot air.
/ She'll think I'm changed, and l
wouldn't wonder If she'll say Yes aft
er ALL
But can you keep it up?" asked both
the others.
II tell you what you do. You, Dick,
rehearse on Harry, and you, Harry, re-
hearse on Dick. Then I'll see how 1t
is done"
Agreed
Tom threw himself on a lounge and
lit cigar. Dick went out of the room
and in u few minutes came in and ap-
preached Harry with cordiality enough
to convict a mob. One would have
thought there was no one else in the
world for him. After this lesson Harry
went out, and when he returned he
ratified off optimism like mill race.
That's all right, boys" said Tom
I've received permission to call to-
night to plead for the last time, with
no hope to win. Take my place, Dick,
and make an appointment if possible
for Harry later on"
The same evening Dick appeared be-
fore the lady to be wooed. He looked
sad, loving look out of his eyes that
almost broke her heart. But he soon
took courage and adopted a different
manner. 1t was not in what he said
affection is not necessarily expressed in
words-it was in his pleading manner
and those other auxiliaries that are
natural to some and impossible to
others.
whats come over you, TomT' asked
the girl. you've always been cold as
n stone before"
The prospect of losing you has light
ed fires In my heart that will never be
quenched till you tell me that you will
be mine"
"If it were not for your pessimism
would" said the lady.
TRY me on that. l have been con.
vinced of my fault and will make an
effort to rectify it."
VERY well. | will put you on proba
ton for a month. II at the end of that
time you succeed in throwing off your
pessimism maybe I'll relent."
| 1OIh WOulu nave
had he seen Dicks parting kiss, though
perhaps 1t was just as well that he die
not. After the call Dick rejoined his
brothers, who were expecting him, anC
he gave them an account of his visit
all but the kiss. He was to call agar
. the next evening, which prepared the
way for Harry's effort to supply Toms
second deficiency, Hope sprang buoy
ant in Toms breast.
. The next evening Harry entered the
, ladys presence. enthusiasm beaminl
all over him.
"Oh, sweetheart" he exclaimed, ICON
: graduate me!'
whats happened"
I've been taken in on the RrounC
floor Of the Acme Gold Mining com
pany. For a $500 investment l shall b,
rich. They are taking out ore tina
pays $500 to the ton"
Dick took from his pocketbook Ger
.. tificate of stock that was not wortl
the paper 1t was printed on.
upon my word, Tom what's become
Of Mr.. Dismal? I'll have to change
your name to Mr.. Aircastle. Tommy
Aircastle: that's good name"
you don't believe me?" reproach
fully.
81 believe that you are trying to con
vince me OF your reformation as a pes
simlst l don't care IL you remain
something of a pessimist in disposi
ton, but do care If you weigh dow
others with your lugubrious views
Since you are under probation for you
! GOODNESS, you may consider yoursel
under probation for your other fault
, We shall see how you succeed"
, Harry returned to his brothers, ant
, when he reported that he. too, hat
been put on probation, the three o
T them embraced and then turned thei
: attention to refreshments as on tn
? evening before.
: "Now, Tom," said Dick, "you praC
tice on either me or Harry every da.
: during the term Of your probation
) Wen coach you; and, mind, don't g
t to see your girl except immediatel,
9 after a lesson from both of u.s."
r Tom took the advice and persuade'
0 his brothers to remain with him unit
he was "out Of the woods" At the en-,
= of the month he was accepted and be
: came the husband Of Julia Atkinson
: After their marriage she continued he
{ husbands training. Her own demon
h strative bearing became subdued, an,
e Tom unconsciously relapsed into pes
: EinAsm. But, on the whole, they 60
on together as well as most couples.
: said estate situated in Polk county