The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-05-31
AC10se Shave

It lacked five minutes of the time
for the departure of the $50 express
and the carriage was rapidly filling up
Jared Stone, a well-dressed, meekloOk.
ing little gentleman, had just settled
down in q corne of a first-class com.
partment, when he heard q familiar
voice addressing him.
"Why, hello, Stone; how are youi
I'm right in luck today. I was just
looking for someone to take charge
of Aunt Martha's bundles and assist
her out of the train with them when
she reaches Manchester. You're going
through, of course"
"Y-yes," answered Stone, faiRtly,
as he glanced up and recognized his
friend Raemond, with his arms full of
bundles of all shapes and sizes ind
"Aunt Martha" grimly looking up be.
hind him like one of Napoleon's grena.
diers.
Now Jared Stone was of a decidedly
Shy and retiring disposition, besides
being a fossil Of an old bachelor (Stone
was fifty, still single, and not only will.
Ing, but anxious to remain SOY, and
If he could have had his choice he
would sooner lead a bayonet charge,
face a gang Of mutineers or a midnight
burglar, or encounter almost any other
tri1e in that line rather than take
charge of a woman and her luggage
during a railway journey. Therefore
the reader will kindly imagine the re.
marks (they will hardly do for print)
that Stone made under his breath as
he got up and, with forced politeness,
bowed the waiting female to the seat
next to the window.
"Thank you," said Raemond, as he
began piling bundles on Stones feet
and into his lap, whichever came the
handiest; II knew you'd just as soon
do me the favor to take charge of Aunt
Martha as not, and I'm glad I hap.
pened to run across you. She is a
trifle hard of hearing and-er-a little
eccentric in some respects, but you'll
find her first-rate company when you
get acquainted with her. BY the way,
1 came near forgetting to introduce
you to each other. Mr.. Stone, this is
my aunt, Miss Martha Eakins." Then,
raising his voice, he shouted: "Aunt
Martha, allow me to present my bach
elor friend, Mr.. Stone, who will look
after you and see you safely off the
train with your luggage when you
reach Manchester"
$50 good Of him, I'm sure. Happy
to meet you, Mr.. Stone," responded
Miss Eakins, with what was meant to
be a whimsical smile in Stones direc-
ton.
At this momen the starters bell
rang, the train began slowly moving
Of the station, and with q hurried
""good-by," Raemond dashed out Of the
compartment, leaving Stone alone to
face the responsibility Of delivering
Miss Eakins and her collection Of lug
gage safely ut Manchester station-a
responsibility which even the bravest
of Stones sex might well have hest
tated to face.
Now Stone, as I have previously init
mated, was not cast in a heroic mold.
He was a timid little gentleman, meas.
uring probably five feet two in his pat
ent feathers, and his great aim in life,
so far as the so-callcd gentler sex was
concerned, was to leave them severe
ly alone and quietly flock by himself,
as Lord Dundreary used to express it.
Miss Martha Eakins, on the con-
trary, though she had chiefly flocked
by herself through five-and-forty sim
mering summers and the same mum.
Der of dreary winters, had done so an
willingly and under protest, as it were.
For a full quarter of a century the
tall and stately Miss Eakins (who
loomed nearly a foot above Stone, and
looked every inch a g%renadier, as 1 be-
lieve 1 have before hinted) had been
on the matrimonial bargain counter
she had a snug little fortune in her
WI right-waiting patiently for some
enterprising and appreciative gentle
man to appear on the scene and take
possession Of her willing heart and
other personal property. But, alas!
Thus far her waiting had been in vain.
Among her list of acquaintance other
maidens, young and old, attractive or
otherwise, some with fortunes and
some without, had been taken, and she
alone had been left to mourn over the
pcrverseness Of mankind.
Much brooding on the subject,
coupled with her infirmity of hearing,