The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-10-26

Funny, Is TT 80 awful FUNNY Wen,
perhaps you think I can't read plain
print yet, never havin' enjoyed q lib
eral education. But take q look for
yourself"
He pulled up a pile Of newspapers
which had come In since their absence.
sorted out one that was creased open
and handed II to Steve. II was an an
nouncement of Barbara Allison's en-
gagement to the Hon. Archibald Wick
ersham-that column to which Fat
Joe had folded the sheet-a many days
old announcement now. Rut the smile
did not even stiffen upon Stoves lips.
The picture which accompanied Il was
poor one. heavy shadowed and
smeared and lacking In detail, yet Bar
bara's face was unmistakable. The
room became quiet In that hush
Garry realized that Joe's mistaken
translation Of the title had not been.
as Joe had himself suggested, due to
ZACH Of knowledge. but to desire to
apprise his employer delicately Of that
Which he believed was still news 30
iitn. And yet. from the easy way In
rhich he read II. word for word.
Garry was positive that all this which
the New York daily blazoned forth
with its customary mixture of snob-
bishness and vulgarity was no longer
news to Steve. The lstter's eyes lifted
and dwelt long upon fat Joe's face.
80 that's where you got 1t, was It,
Joe?" he asked evenly. You make II
Honey do your And when do they
come In. Joef"
Tomorrow night. One Of the team
sters brought word this afternoon, Just
before you got back. Honey is going to
have look at his trees and things, the
way I understand It. And the rest Of
them, take II, want to look us over in
our wild state. Where are we going to
put them girlsr'
Steve's answer was long I'm coming.
"Aiiss-AllisonT he wanted to know.
"And that tall. red headed one, Joe
corrected promptly. I don't remember
her name. but she's coming too"
As studiously as he had done q mo-
ment before. Garry again avoided
steve's eyes.
miriam Burrell." the latter supplied
the omission. "And that's fine. isn't It !
How long are they going to stay, JoeT'
But Joe had finished with trifiing.
where are we going to put themr'
he insisted doggedly.
"why, we have a couple Of shelter
tents somewhere In the dufiie, haven't
we? We might pitch those if'-he
looked about ruminatively-''if you
think this Is too squalid."
Joe turned appealingly to Garry, only
to meet eyes fiaring with deviltry.
eff you think that I'm going to give
up my quarters for a troup Of curious
sightseers you're mistaken. II that's
what you turned toward me for don't
allow yourself to dwell upon It another
minute. I'm laboring man. and l
have to have decent rest at nights. Do
you suppose Cecile. the maid. would
really mind a tent?"
And then Joe's face went red.
"Now amt you the pair Of rough jok.
ersf' he whined. "Ain't you. though
But what's 1t going to be-this room or
Garry's? The way look at IL we're
elected to camp out ourselves. We're
hardened sons OF the wilderness. you
know. That's what they always call us
In print But how am I going to get
this place cleaned upf"
For another hour Joe argued 1t and
at last settled upon the storehouse
building as the likeliest for sleeping
quarters for the feminine portion OF
the visitors.
I'VE have to eat In here, anyhow"
he argued, so guess it's the best ar
rangement we can hit on. Honey won't
be here much to meals either. That'll
be one nice thing about It. He'll be
going north directly. And now-now
guess I'll go out and have look at the
pantry, even II 1t does make me feel
sort of faint every time think of the
grub we've got on hand. Canned
beans and boiled potatoes and ham and
bacon to round out banquet. Why
couldn't a couple Of mighty hunters
like you bring home more than one lit.
tie haunch of venison2 Bacon and
beans! Steve, you sure have been liv-
ing mighty low down ON this job"
He went out with great show OF
haste. but returned almost immediate.
ly, forgot the urgency Of matters In
general In finding Garry idly shutting
a deck OF cards. Throughout the eve
ming Joe had exhibited an unwilling
ness to meet the third mans glances
directly, but 1t was impossible for him
to remain oblivious TO the clicking OF
the chips. He balanced first on one
foot and then on the other for a mo
ment. then difiidently drew up a chair
"yust friendly hand or two, l sup
81