Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1916-08-04
Three InOne
By EUNICE BLAKE

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 engagedT' though the way it was
put to Tom was, Have you got a
girl" To which he replied, 81 haven't
got girl, but 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
YOU" "She says she does, but claims
that l have two defects. either of
which make me untitled to be her hus-
band" What are theyY First, |
| am undemonstrative. She doesn't want
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
wouldn't wonder If she'll say Yes aft
er ALL"
But can you keep 1t upT 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"
"Agreedw
Tom threw himself on lounge and
lit cigar. Dick went out of the room
and in few minutes came in and ap-
preached Harry with cordially 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.
1--we 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 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
a 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."
eff it were not for your pessimism 1
would" said the lady.
'"Try me on that. I have been con-
vinced of my fault and will make an
effort to rectify it."
VERY well. 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, though
perhaps it was just as we'll that he did
not After the call Dick rejoined his
brothers, who were expecting him, and
he gave them an account of his visit
all but the kiss. He was to call again
the next evening, which prepared the
way for Harry's effort to supply Toms
second deficiency. Hope sprang buoy
ant in Toms breast.
The nnXt aVnDfOo ITorr,y optoro5 Ahn
lady's presence, enthusiasm beaming
all over him.
"Oh. sweetheart" he exclaimed, "con-
graduate mew
whats happened?"
i've been taken in on the ground
floor of the Acme Gold Mining COM
pany. For a $500 investment shall be
rich. They are taking out ore that
pays $500 to the ton"
Dick took from his pocketbook a GER
tifcate Of stock that was not worth
the paper it 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.
Il believe that you are trying to con-
vince me of your reformation as a pes
simist. don't care If you remain
something of a pessimist in disposi-
Hon, but do care If 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"
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.
"Now, Tom," said Dick, "you prac-
dce on either me or Harry every day
during the term Of your probation.
Wen coach you; and, mind, don't go
to see your girl except Immediately
after lesson from both of u.s."
Tom took the advice and persuaded
his brothers to remain with him until
he was "out of the woods" At the end
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