The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-31
A Peddling
Partnership
By WARREN MILLER


he was rich aud at the same time a
person of intrinsic worth.
john was fond of an outdoor life.
and his plan was influenced by this
taste. lie concluded 10 rig himself M
Is q Idle In. rel hr uea tie coun.
try s....- .suea articles as women
need E.d THUS make tile acquaintance
OF sHMe Gin whom he could study In
cog D. lin bought an auto delivery
Nu- l1 AND stocked ii with tin pans.
pia- t-s q aes, hosiery. SHOES. grid
IRONS au.i ekcr. article he could think
o. ta4st Il woman would want.
u VAS hsi-at spring morning when
JoAu Nulgd alto WAS brought up be-
fore h.s house by his man Thomas.
whom he had charged with pro- uring
the outfit, and john, rugged out in Il
ready made suit he had bought at .
cheap clothing store and faded straw
hat, sailed forth aud. taking the wheel
started on his tour.
If | dan get a wife,, he said to
himself, IN at least enjoy myself"
Then aloud TO Thomas. Forward to-
days mail to Wavcrly to Martin lr-
vine. III keep you posted where to
send it from that on
Johnny drove off, and window sash
on the opposite side of the street was
closed al the same time. A few min
utes later. Il girl emerged from front
door beneath the aforesaid window and
hurried down the street.
Johnny struck the road to Waverly,
then began To stop at houses along the
way. He chaffed the wives, chucked
the children under the chin and other
wise made himself agreeable The con
sequence was that he sold his goods
readily, though he generally made his
prices to suit purchasers. When night
came he put up at the only hotel In
Waverly.
In the morning he breakfasted-
spring chicken-and after the arrival
Of the mail started again on his tray
els. lie had not gone far before lie
heard the rafting OF machine behind
him and pulled out 70 the right to LET
it 20 by. As II did so johnny saw
that its rear was got up to hold sew
ing machine which was strapped down,
and the car was driven by young
woman, comely. though plainly dress
cd, who called TO him to know IL the
road held good and for how long.
Johnny gave her the information she
desired, and the two fell into CONVEX
saton Tie girl told Johnny that she
was Il sewing machine travelling agent
She also Informed linn that her father
was comfortably of in this worlds
goods but She didn't propose to sit
around waiting for husband and
must have occupation.
by Joyc," exclaimed Johnny to him.
self, that's the kind of girl I'm look
ing forr
John kept on one side of the road.
the girl on the other, the two moving
side by side except when vehicles pass.
ed. at which time John fell behind.
Il wish.' said John to her after
awhile that we could make double
team of it, a joint stock concern, to
take in peddler's goods and sewing
machines"
"Oh, We couldn't do that" said the
girl, who gave her name as Molly
Sparks. though I'd like to ever 80
much. sometimes feel afraid travel
ing on lonely roads"
whats the objection to a partner
ship" asked John.
Il don't think it would be exactly
proper. People would take us for man
and wife. and when they found we
were not they'd talk"
John thought awhile, then proposed
that they should lay out a route to
gether for the next day. the girl to
put her sewing machine I'm his motor
car. They would stop for the NIGHT at
different hotels. but travel together
during the day. The girl. with appar-
ent reluctance. assented to the plan.
and the next day they carried 1t out
But they paid more attention to each
other than TO peddling.
This method of travel now kept up
until John was satisfied that he might
90 farther and fare worse. The girl
was far above the ordinary country
lass. and John saw an advantage In
marrying in his own class. lie pro
posed TO her. but nj first was refused
on the ground that If she married
peddler her family would disown her
But John was bent on winning her and
finally got her consent to marry him
without saying anything about 1t at
home They could then travel togeth-
er with more propriety.
They were married at a country
church and by country parson. and
after the wedding John said they must
have a rest from work and they must
go to his home for awhile In the city.
Ills bride consented. and he took her
to his palatial residence
John looked at his bride. expecting
to see establishment depicted In her
face. Instead. she laid aside her
wraps as If she had always lived there
Didn't you think you were marry
ing pcdder?" he asked in wonder.
mo. didn't | knew | was marry
fuv Iohuuy CoSurava v,,iirtopofrnv