Gilpin observer., 1919-01-02
Observation-Disclosures,
"ALIm0N"
~ FLORA HANDY.

was Sne liked BY Bennte Brandon,
manager Of the dry goods store Of
Hogskins 4 Smith: Addie was a
jolly girl. and wherever she appeared
at the Corner" she was always
surrounded by bevy Of young folks,
and usually, II there were any Of the
masculine sex among the crowd. Ben.
nile would stand glaring out Of one of
the big plate-glass windows at them.
He had been walking home with AddIe
for q. year now. and she was consid-
cred Tin that country town. his girl.
Then appeared on the scene a city.
bred young gentleman. BE had been
on the stage and In a circus he could
dance on his head. hands, or feet, and
at party, during dancing, he could
call out "Alimon left or right" in such
a way that he won the admiration of
everybody. though no one knew what
alimon meant. Addie being the best
dancer and prettiest girl, naturally the
new city chap devoted his atten-
tion most exclusively to her. and she
was. II anything, tease, and delight
ed In seeing Bennie's glaring eyes on
the new beau. OF course, she was only
teasing him, so Matte Dean assured
Bennie one night, when he came ourst.
Ing into her parlor as she sat with
Lem Barry, Bennle's best friend. She
was ready for the concert up at the
hall that stray minstrel company
was to give. "Oh, Bennie," she laugh
ed. don't let Addie see she Is
teasing you sol" "I'll let that beast
she is flirting around with see
so pretty soon, though" Bennie an.
swered. ruffling his blond tresses in
football style over his head; and with
his poutlng lips and flushed cheeks he
looked not unlike big peeved baby.
He's a coward, and everyone around
here knows It," Bennie went on. Look.
this winter how he ran when Bob
Leavitt got in the lake and called for
help! He ran home fast as his bow
legs could carry him and left one fel-
low to get Bob out alone" "And who
was the fellow that got Bob out?"
Matte asked, with a smiling wink at
Lem.
Bennie kicked the footstool away
from the chair where he sat. Hes
coward, that's ALI" he declared. "A
rascally coward" "Why don't you
prove 1t to Addie? That's all you
would have to do" Lem said in his
his slow. deep drawl. "If I couldl"
Bennie exclaimed. his eyes flashing.
"Oh" cried Matte. 81 have 1t, Ben
ME. Where Is that bearskin you
dressed up In New Years as a Cali
thumplan? Can't you put that on and
scare him? he wasn't here New
Years and never saw you in it. and
Addie did. 1t wouldn't frighten her
and 1t is moonlight tonight"
"When they come from the concert,
you could walt until they got to the
lonely corner at the foot Of the lane.
and then growl like you did New
Years. My. what growls you did give,
though! And that will prove to Addie
what a coward he Ii, for he would
run. The snow is deep and he couldn't
60 very fast; you could chase him."
They all laughed. by Jove, l win,"
Bennie said; 1you see can't leave
the store, and take her around to all
these entertainments. and she don't
like 1t. but that can't be helped. I
have to tend to business. Say. thereTl
be fun tonight, though. Mattie-you've
head on you like a brickl Lem,
you've got one hne girl there, and II II
wasn't for Addie-" "You 20 now"
growled Lem, "or I'll be dressing up
as bear too." Bennie went on laugh
ing. During lull in the concert Mat.
tie whispered to Lem: II told Addie
Bennie was going to dress as a bear
and scare Ralph Durkin. and she
laughed" "You told her; whyr' Lem
asked slowly. "well." Matte sighed,
you see she has been altogether too
rriendly with that new fellow, and II
|. will show who she cares most for. II
she tells Ralph about II. why she cares
mt ct for him; II she don't tell him,
wh.' she cares most for Benple."
~ .mph.". commented Lem. "that
scan . Is not to be compared with Ben.
Jamii she will be fool. but then
think you did right" Ralph was near
ing tn lane with Addie. and bending
low he said: "You are the fairest
girl I 'er met" etc. Addie laughed
and answered gayly: REALLY. Mr..
Durkin. you are great natterer."
Then all Of a sudden q terrible noise
arrested their attention. Ralph
stopped still In the road. Standing
over the broken wall In the clear
moonlight. was horrible monster
bear. his white teeth cleaning In a
snnrl and emitting hair-raising
growls. "Whnt-what," choked Ralph.
"Y-e-a-u.o-w," he yelled. "Help-run
for your life; It's BEAR" And
suitIng the action to the word. he did
| run.
Addie stood in the road and
screeched with laughter. and along the
road farther there were suppressed
Uggles from a couple hid behind Q