The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-02-28
SIMEON sILcnEs1ER
BY JANE OSBORN.


Jane jerks received and answered
many hundred letters a week. But
they were all addressed. not to Miss
Jane jerks. but to Prof. Simeon Sill
chester. handwriting expert of the
"Hearth Companion" Jane jerks was
the youngest member of the editorial
staff of that w~idely-read periodical.
As part of her duties she had To write
the monthly article on "Wbat Your
Handwriting Shows" Meantime she
had to answer letters from West,
East, North and South from subscrib-
ers to the magazine. Sometimes she
dreamed of the day when she might
save enough to leave the city and go
off somewhere In the wilds and get n
ranch or something and run It."
Once a letter came from a corre-
spondent who signed his name Mon
tana." and the writing rather puzzled
Jane jerks. But she hesitated only
a moment. for really 1t didn't much
matter to her whether or not she made
\ true character study. The writing
was legible. and. therefore, she made
the statement that the writer had a
methodical. honest nature. There were
certain waverings In the line and this,
she said. Indicated timidity. II believe
that you are not married." she added.
with all the authority Of Prot. Sim
con Silchester to back her. . believe
that the reason why you are not mar.
ried is because you have never had the
deep. inner courage to look about and
find for yourself q woman good enough
for you. You are cowardly," she went
on. "and what you ought to do Is to
stand up for your own rights. You
are small in STATURE" this because the
writing was miniature, but that does
not mean that you should also DO
timld."
Three weeks later q tall. trate person
entered her Office.
Il want to see Prof. Simeon Silches-
ter" he said deliberately. II see you
are his secretary" the man continued.
"Perhaps l could take the message"
said Jane feebly.
mo woman could take the message
just as l want to give II, and few men
could. What I want to ask the protest.
sor is how in-Ill add the embelish-
ments when l see him personally-how
he dared to call me a coward9 I wrote
to him and this is the answer he sent
me-" The man from Montana threw
the opened letter on the desk and Jane
jerks recognized 1t as the one she
had recently sent.
I'm very sorry" Jane pleaded, feel.
Ing just a little amused in spite Of
her first terror. ITO be sure Profess
sor Silchester sometimes makes mis-
takes" she began. II am very sorry"
Then for some reason. probably be-
cause Of the steadfast and searching
gaze Of the gray eyes Of the man, she
forgot her role. "You see l am really
Prof. Simeon Silchester. i try to make
the right guesses. How could | tell
that you. were a big man, and how did
l know that you were q perfect bear
Of %courage7"
"And you wrote that about my not
had the nerve to get married7" !,
asked the big man, and then he
laughed for the first time. Well, that's J
very funny. I've come all the way :
from my place in Montana, just to haya
q fight with yop. Nothing ever made ,
me so mad in my life as that letter. :
but ! won't fight a lady even when abe :
deserves It." '
80 relieved was Jane at the way ths
angry one recovered from the first In /,
of his anger that she made him !.
larry IN that first call, and pledged =
him never to tell another soul that :
here was no real Simeon Silchester.
They spoke of Montana and rangel
Ind the girls face lighted up with eu a
)ectatlon and interest. She told thu y
stranger of her ambition and he was e
IS interested as she. In short, he won .
lanes confidence 80 that when he sug.
rested that she take luncheon with
i'm she did not think to hesitate. n
So the acquaintance progressed with In
n the ten days that the Montanan had Of
himself to remain In the big Of
ity and never again did he speak Of
he letter but always OF the ranch and
he girls ambitions to lead a country, al
utdoor. life. The proposal occurred bt
a the girls office, the afternoon before NJ
e was planning to return. W
How can l accept" she said.
ont even know your lame. I'm dread.
ully frightened just to think Of the va
'ay we have grown 30 we'll acquainted tu
!, such q short time" 81
"True," he said. "Im 4 bit fright m,
ned myself" Here his expression
quickly. How'd you hit on
mt name of yours-Simeon Silchesr nj
#? It's a good name. and It doesn't ha
,und faxed" wi
" think It is good" said the girl. or
wanted to get a name that sounded
ke what l think a handwriting expert
ould be-a thin old crank with q WI
bite beard and a long nose. l got CO..
the who's Who and looked cal
rough till l found a name that sound. BIZ
just like that Don't you think II
as a good selection7"
"Capital-a thin old crank with . rel
ng nose. Do you happen to know pla
e original" be
Jane reached for the "Who's Who" ha,
the top of her desk and found the
ace. "He seems to be On inventor
ID a ranch owner, In Montana. Why. the
ats where you come from" lea
Somewhere near" said the man. tina
q fact I'm the white-bearded long wo