Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-07-13
hree hone
By EUNlcE BLAKE

When triplets, all boys, came to Mr..
and Mrs. Doncaster they were named
with facetious intent-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 reunion.
One of the first questions was, Are
you engaged?" though the way it was
put to Tom was, Have you got a
grip" To which he replied. 81 haven't
got a girl. but a girl has got me.
What do you mean by that?" Well,
I'm in love with Julia Atkinson. but
she won't have me- doesn't she love
you?" "She says she does, but claims
that 1 have two defects, either of
which make ME unified to he her hus
band What are they" First.
am undemonstrative. She doesn't want
cold man. Second, look on the dark
side of everything She calls me MI
Dismal"
Suppose" Tom went on, you. Dick,
call on Julia, personating me. SheN
never know the difference Plaster her
all over with your taffy. Next time
you go, Harry, and give her hot aiy.
She'll think I'm changed, and
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 it
Is DONE
agreed"
Tom threw himself on a lounge ana
lit a cigar. Dick went out of the room
and in a few minutes came in and up-
preached Harry with cordiality enough
to convict 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 a mill race.
That's all right, boys" said Tom
Tive received permission to call to-
night to plead for the last time, with
no hope to win. Take my place, Dick.
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 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.
What's come over you, Tom?' asked
the girl. You've always been cold as
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. | have been con
y1nced of my fault and will make an
effort to rectify it."
very we'll l will put you on proba
ton for month. If at the end of that
time you succeed in throwing off your
pessimism maybe I'll relent'
Tom would have learned something
had he seen Dicks parting kiss, thougl,
perhaps 1t was just as we'll that he did
not. After the call Dick 1eioined his
brothers, who We're expecting him. and
he gave them an account of his visit
al but the kiss. He was to call asa!:!
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
lady's presence, enthusiasm beaniing
all over him.
"Oh sweetheart" he exclaimed, .con-
graduate me!''
whats happened?'
"I've been taken in on the ground
floor of the Acme Gold Mining com
pany. For $500 investment shall be
rich. They are taking out ore that
pays $500 to the ton"
Dick took from his pocketbook a GER
ttficate of stock that was not worth
the paper it was printed on.
upon my word, Tom, what's become
~ ALL. A1ASAAdl! i II nave 10 CuduEG
your name to Mr.. Aircastle. Tommy
Aircastle; that's good name"
You don't believe me?" reproach-
fully.
Il believe that you are trying to con
vince me of your reformation as q pes
simist. don't care If you remain
something Of pessimist in DISPOSE
zion, but I do care II you weigh down
others with your lugubrious views.
Since you are under probation for your
GOODNESS, you may consider yourself
under probation for your other fault.
We shall see how you succeed"
j. Harry returned to his brothers, and
when he reported that he, too, had
been put on probation, the three of
them embraced and then turned their
attention to refreshments as on the
evening before