The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-23
Queer
Mr.. Gunter
By F. A. Mitchell

Mr.. Gunter was an original. He
never did anything in a way any one
else would do it. He had about him
a grim humor that few persons under
stood Ii he did one a favor he ae-
companied it with a slap; If he gave
a slap he accompanied it with a favor.
The consequence was that the object
Of his favors and bis slaps didn't know
whether to love or to hate him.
Possibly the only person who thor
oughly understood Mr.. Gunter was his
daughter. Clara. The reason Of her
understanding was that she was a
chip Of the old block. She was the
apple Of his eye. Whatever she want
] ed Of him she got; whatever he wanted
Of her be didn't get. though there was
nothing he wanted from her except a
demonstration of affection, and she
was so much like him that the more
she loved him the more indifferently
she treated him.
Well, the time came-as 1t usually
! does with giris-when she got a lover.
She went into the country for the sum-
mer and came back engaged. On her
return she said to her father:
| Papa, have met the man l wish
/ to marry. He viii come to see you to
ask you for me. That, Of course. Is a
| mere form. am too like You to be
thwarted in anything desire. There
fore you have only to give your con-
sent, though ! hope you will be
pleased"
Just So" remarked the parent
Miss Gunter turned away, but paus-
ed, looking at her father with a bit Of
anxiety In her expression.
Papa" she said, st hope you won't
perpetrate any of your peculiarities on
Mr.. Auchincloss. Please remember that
he is stranger to you, and even II
he had known you all his life he would
not understand you"
"My dear, am too much like you to
refrain from whatever may occur to
me. / shall doubtless do as you would
do If similarly placed. l am sorry to
have daughter with SO many Of my
own imperfections and am sorry to
have SO many OF my daughters imper-
! fections."
That Miss Clara was uneasy was evil
dent. Nevertheless she said no more.
The same evening Mr.. Auchincloss call
ed, asked for Mr.. Gunter and was in
troduced into that gentleman's stady.
Possibly. Mr.. Gunter." he said. "your
daughter has informed yeu"-
"Oh, yes; she has told me all about
1t. You were to call zor my consent to
her marriage with you, but since my
consent Is mere matter of form you
may as well cut 1t short"
The young man looked much sur.
prised.
Il trust" he replied, that Clara will
have your hearty consent, for I am
sure that II she does not have It her
happiness will be greatly marred."
Don't you believe 1t. When Clara
makes up her mind to do thing Her
cules himself isn't strong enough to
| prevent her."
The young man, who by this time
showed considerable agitation, started.
"As for doing you favor in giving
her to you" continued Mr.. Gunter. "the
boot Is on the other foot. She has
bossed me ever since she was born,
and need a rest. Have cigarT
mo, thanks; l don't smoke; at least
! don't care to smoke just now. You
surprise me by the character you give
Clara. have found her model of
amiability and not In the least disposed
to claim her own way"
Just you wait till you're married. |
perceive that you are ignorant Of the
wiles of these creatures They are
honey till they get you in their tolls
and nitric acid after the knot Is tied"
"But-Clara-it can't be possible that
one so childlike''-
"Childlike! Kittenish you should
say. It's that kittenish way she has
with her that am speaking Of. She'll
de you with rope Of flowers and gag
you with ripe peach Then she'll
proceed to rife your pockets. On this
account l think II essential that /
should provide the family pocketbook
with ample funds. l will at least take
away the necessity for her to rob you
by providing her with what she will
need. Besides. feel under obligations
to you for taking ON yourself a yoke
that has always been mine. II YOU
VIII name your income 1t will enable
me to know what sum will be neces-
sary to keep you from being ruined"
when my aunt dies ! shall inherit
from her about $12,OO0"--
"She won't die. Old women who are
no use to themselves and whose prop
erty is needed by younger persons new
er die. Besides, the sum you expect
will not be-
But my salary is $1,000"
What's $1,000 for a girl like Clara
No. see that I shall have to stand
In the breach. have $4,000 in first
mortgage per cent bonds that l Will
give my daughter. and If she gets up
In the middle OF the night and goes for
your pocketbook the more fool you for
leaving it where she can get at it"
At this Juncture the object Of these
structures burst into the room, threw
her arms about her fathers neck and
covered his face with kisses. Then
she took her lover by the arm and led
him away.
"lsn't your father bit queerr' ask
ed Mr.. Auchincloss.
Queer? No. Why do you think
him queer9"
why he told me that you WERE
"oh, yes, l heard 1t all. Papa needs
TO be understood. Sc do l."
The young man looked bewildered.