The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-01-15

She's %eyenteen and one of the Bed,
fords Of Bedford county. We've eloped
from home to get married and We
want to see New York. We got in this
afternoon. Somebody got my pocket
book on the ferryboat and | had only
3 cents in change outside of II. II
get some work somewhere tomorrow
and we'll get married."
"But, l say, old man." said Pilkins
In confidential low tones, you can't
keep the lady out here In the cold all
night. Now, as for hotels
81 told you," said the youth with a
broader smile, that l didn't have but
3 cents. Besides, If l had a thousand
we'd have to wait here until morning
You can understand that, of course.
I'm much obliged. but 1 can't take any
Of your money. Miss Bedford and ]
have lived an outdoor life and we don't
mind a little cold. I'll get work OF
some kind tomorrow. We've got a
paper bag of cakes and chocolates and
we'll get along all right"
Listen" said the millionaire, i'm.
pressively. MY name is Pilkins and
I'm worth several million dollars. i
happen to have in my pockets about
$500 or $500 in cash. Don't you think
you are drawing 1t rather fine when
you decline to accept as much of II
as will make you and the young lady
comfortable at least for the night?"
II can't say, sir, that l do think So
said Clayton of Roanoke county. I've
peer raised to look at such things diff
ferently. But I'm nightly obliged to
you, just the same"
"Then you force me to say good
night" said the millionaire.
Twice that day had his money been
scorned by simple ones to whom his
dollars had appeared as but tin tobac-
co tags. He was no worshiper of the
actual minted coin or stamped paper,
but he had always believed in its al
most unlimited power to purchase.
Pilkins walked away rapidly and
then turned abruptly and returned to
the bench where the young couple sat.
He took off his hat and began to
speak. The girl looked at him with
the same sprightly, glowing interest
that she had been giving to the lights
and statuary and sky reaching build
ings that made the old square seem SO
far away from Bedford county.
"Mr.-er-Roanoke," said Pilkins, 81
admire ~your-your indepen-your idiocy
so much that I'm going to appeal to
your chivalry. | believe that's what
you southerners call it when you keep
a lady sitting outdoors on a bench OH
a cold night just to keep your old.
out of date pride going. Now, I've IA
friend-a lady-whom l have known
all my life-who lives a few blocks
from herewith her parents and SIS
tiers and aunts and all that kind of in
dorsement, of course. l am sure this
lady would be happy and pleased to
put up-that is, to have Miss-er-Bed-
ford give her the pleasure of having
her as a guest for the night. Don't
YOU think. Mr.. Ronoake of-er-Vir-
ginia, that you could unbend your pref
udices that far"
Clayton of Roanoke rose and held
out his hand.
"Old man." be said, Miss Bedford
will be much pleased to accept the hos
pitality of the lady you refer to-
Pilkins conducted them to he crum-
bly, red brick house of the Won der
Ruyslings. His caro- brought Alice
downstairs wondering.
"Of course l will take her in" said
Alice. Haven't those southern girls
a thoroughbred air? Of course she
will stay here. You will look after
Mr.. Clayton, of course"
Twill II" said Pilkins d~elightedly.
"Oh. yes, I'll look after him! As a
citizen of New York and therefore a
part owner of its public parks I'm GO
ing TO extend to him the hospitality OF
Madison square tonight. He's going
to sit there on a bench till morning.
There's no use arguing with him.
Isn't it wonderful? I'm glad you'll
look after the little lady, Alice. tell
YOU those Babes in the Wood made
my-that is-er-made Wall street and
the Bank of England look like penny
arcades."
Miss Won der Ruysling whisked Miss
Bedford of Bedford county up to rest
full regions upstairs. When h came
down she put an