Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1920-08-05
FROG IN THE
THROAT
By R. RAY BAKER

] poub
Sam Bristol, lying fiat on his back,
his face turned toward a sky I'M
marred by clouds, smiled good-natur-
ediy
Good old Nebuchadnezzar, he
whispered. Nebuchadnezzar was
SANS name for the frog. There was
no apparent reason for that appella-
ton, unless it was that the animals
back was of the same color as the
field fodder the ancient king was said
to have eaten at one cratic period of
his career.
Il detest that frogl" said Amelia
Whitton, sitting nearby. Frogs are
so homely, and their voices are worse.
except when they sing at night, and
Nebuchadnezzar never does. He Just
croaks all day long. don't see what
you can find about him that is so
charming. | can't tolerate any sound
that isn't musical"
Sam pursed his lips and whistled
meditatively.
That's not musical either" Amelia
observed.
There isn't much about me that is
any more" he whispered. "Ever since
l caught a severe cold five years ago
l haven't had even a speaking voice.
l don't see how you can stand it to
have me around Amelia; Pm so I'M
musical"
"Of course you know care for you"
she said Gin spite of the fact that you
have no voice. l should have liked to
know you when you could sing though.
Isn't there any remedy?
"The doctor says no." he rasped:
$50 you see if you marry me you'll
either have to do all the talking your
self or have me for a constant note of
discord in your life of harmony"
81 wish you could sing as folks say
you used to-" Amelia sighed. 81 think
it would reconcile me more-to my
fate" and she finished with a laugh
a musical laugh.
Her "fate" was her marriage to Sam,
which was to take place as soon as
she finished a course in vocal harmony
she was about to commence.
at would be fine if we could go to
the city together and study music" she
went on.
Eyes, it would. To tell you the
truth, Amelia, I'm afraid to let you go
alone You'll land in some big opera
company and fall in love with the star,
and you'll forget about little Sammy in
his very prosaic but prosperous shoe /
store back here in Glendon."
She shook her head "No danger.
Sam. I'm not that kind. But I wish |
you were going to study with me.
When we finished we could get mar
ried and teach voice-if you could /
make some arrangements about your
shoe business"
THAT wouldn't be difficult" he said
johnson practically runs the business
now; and I'd give him a half interest.
But what's the use? I haven't any
more voice than our friend Nebuchad-
lezzar. have a frog in my throat"
"Gezunk p chimed in the bullfrog, as
f to say. "who says haven't voice."
Amelia shuddered. Lets go. Your
friend frog gets on my nerves. used
o rather Ike him when we used to
risit this little glen, but since I've
studied harmony I've lost interest in
lis croaking."
They went back to the village and
sam. after escorting her home, hurried
o his store.
Three weeks later Amelia packed
wo trunks and three handbags and
ct out for Chicago, where she would
tudy voice with the masters.
Sam took her to Prescott, a village
en- miles from GlendOn, for the rail
DAD on which she was to make her
Durney did not touch the latter place.
he luggage, except one handbag,
-ent ahead by motortruck and the ex-
eptiOn followed with Amelia and Sam
his buggy. Sam never had been able
, give up his spirited driving horse
)r an automobile.
Good luck to you" he whispered as
e kissed her goOd-by, and leaped from :
lie train as it started. She waved
and from the window and he re-
bonded similarly, and stood and
atched the train vanish round j..
rive. For five minutes he stood at
lie station, detected and lonely; for
am and Amelia had been sweethearts
nee his advent into Glendon three
ears ago. He wished he could resur-
ct his life of five years-before he
st his voice. Sam had never told
melia much about it, because it wor- Il
ed him in spite of the jovial atti- Il
de he appeared to take toward his >
rog in the throat" Il
He drove slowly back along the road. Il
ne sunshine of spring and the flow 7
s and foliage and birds that it u
ought. cast a spell over him, but 1t y
as a spell.of moroseness rather than :. :,
adness. That is, he endeavored to :,
i've slowly. but the horse, which was y
., ,p1 bod not haan In fhp' -