Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-09-26

| SOAC " SulA, VI SoAACCb anu A.
Get your hat on he said. II don't
think there's anything in it at all, but
we'd just as well drop down there. 1t
can't hurt anything"
"Of course l don't think she be.
gan. d"
Neither do l." he interrupted irasci-
bly,. But with boy of his age crazy
enough to think he's in love how do
we know what'll happen? We're only
his parents. Get your hat on"
But when the uneasy couple found
themselves before the house of the
Parchers they paused in the darkness
and presently decided that it was not
necessary to go in From the porch
came the laughter Of several young
voices, and then one silvery voice,
which pretended to be that of tiny
child.
ooh, same! Same on 90, big Bruv-
va Josie-Joe! Mus be polite to Johnny
Jump-up. or tant play wiz May and
| Lola"
"Thats Miss Pratt" whispered Mrs.
Baxter. 'She's talking to Johnnie
Watson and Joe Bullitt and May
Parcher. Let's go home. It's all right.
OF course knew it would be-
"Why. certainly said Mr.. Baxter as
they turned. Even if Willie were as
crazy as that, the little girl would have
more sense. | wouldn't have thought
anything Of it if you hadn't told me
about the suit case. That looked sort
of queer
And when they came to their own
house again there was William sitting
alone and silent upon the steps of the
porch.
II thought you'd gone out, Willie"
said his mother as they paused beside
him.
"Ma'am?"
"Adelia said you went out. carrying
your suit case"
ooh. yes" he said languidly. IF you
leave clothes at SchwartZ's in the even
ing they have 'em pressed in the morn
ing. You said I looked damp at din
ner, so l took 'em over and left 'em
there"
81 see." Mrs. Baxter followed her
husband to the door, but she stopped
On the threshold and called back:
Don't sit there too long, Willie. The
dew is falling, and it rained so hard
today, I'm afraid it might be damp"
"Maam?"
"Come on" Mr.. Baxter said to his
wife. "He's down on the Parcher's
porch not out in front here. OF course
| he can't hear you. It's three blocks
and half" :
But Williams father was mistaken
Little he knew. William was not upon
the porch of the Parchers, with May
Parcher and Joe Bullitt and Johnnie
Watson to interfere. He was far from
there, in q land where time was not
Upon a planet floating in pink mist
and uninhabited, unless old Mr.. Gene
sis and some Hindu princes and the
diligent Iowan may have established
themselves in it's remoter regions-Wil'
| liam was alone with Miss Pratt In
their own home. And after time
they went together and looked into the
door Of a room where an indefinite
number Of little boys, all over three
years Of age, were playing In the fire
light upon "a white bear rug. For In
the roseate gossamer that boys dreams
are made of William had indeed en-.
tered the married state.
His condition was growing worse ev'
cry day. ...
It was the morning Of the great day
when a trolley ride and picnic were to
be given in honor Of Miss Pratt. VIII
lie had a spirited argument with his
mother on the time honored subject Of
taking an overcoat and finally submit
ted to her arguments.
She hung the garment upon his arm
kissed him, and he departed In des.
perate manner.
However, having worn his tragic
face for three blocks, he halted before
a corner drug store and permitted his
expression to improve as he gazed
upon the display of my Little Sweet
heart All Tobacco Cuban Cigarettes
the Package Of Twenty For 10 Cents. y
William was not smoker-that Is to
say, he had made the usual boyhood
experiments. finding them discourag'
ing-and, though at times he consid'
cred it humorously man about town to
say to a smoking friend, "Well, I'll
tackle one O your ole coffin nails he
had never made purchase Of tobacco
in his life. But it struck him now
| that It would be rather debonair to dis
port himself with package Of Little
Sweethearts upon the excursion. And
the name! 1t thrilled him inexpressi-
| bly,, bringing tenderness into his eyes
and a glow into his bosom.
He entered and managed to make his
purchase in a matter Of fact way. as
il he were doing something quite un'
emotional; then he said to the clerk:
| "Oh, by the bye-ah, there's some
thing | wanted to tend to, now hap
pen to be here. | was on my way TO
take this overcoat TOTO get something
altered at the tailor's for next winter.
| Course l wouldn't want it till winter
but l thought l might as we'll get 1t
DONE" He paused, laughing careless
ly, for greater plausibility. 81 thought
he'd prob'ly want lots Of time on the
job-he's a slow worker. I've noticed
and so decided might as we'll 60
ahead and let him get at it. Well, so
was on my way there, but just no.
ticed only got about six minutes more