South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-29

lt-Fhop-partcd soon with my money
in many ways. But there remained
one role Of the wearer OF cap and
bells that I had not played. That
was the Seeker after Buried Treas
re. To few does the delectable
Juror come. But OF all the would-be
followers IN the footprints OF King
Midas none has found a pursuit so
rich IN pleasurable promise.
But. going back from my theme a
whue-as lame pens must do was
n fool OF tho sentimental sort. saw
May Martha ManEun1. and was hers
She was eighteen, the color OF the
white ivory keys OF a new piano.
beautiful. and possessed by the ex-
duldte solemnity and pathetic witch
ery OF an unsophisticated angel
doomed 20 live IN a small. dull. Texas
prairie-town. She had a spirit and
charm that could have enabled her
10 pluck rubies like raspberries from
the crown OF Belgium or any other
sporty kingdom. but sho did not
know Il. and I did not paint the pic
ture for her.
You sec. 7 wanted May Martha
Mangum for 20 hav0 and 70 hold. 1
wanted her 70 abide with me. and
put my clippers and pipe away every
day IN places where they cannot be
found OF evenings.
May Martha's father was man
hidden behind whiskers and spec
tacles. He lived for bugs and butter
flies and all insects tibet ny or crawl
or buzz or get down your back or In
the butter. He was an entomoloBist.
or words 10 that effect. he spent
his life seining the air for flying fish
OF the June bug order, and sticking
pins in 'em and calling EN- names.
He and May Martha were the
whole family. lie priced her highly
as a fine specimen Of the racibus hu-
rnanus because she saw that he had
food at times. and put his clothes on
right side before, and kept his alco-
hOl bottles filled. Scientists, they
cay. are apt 10 be absent-minded.
There was another besides myself
who thought May Martha ManBum
one 20 be desired. That was Good
Toe Banks. a young man just home
from college. He had AL the attain
ments 70 be found IN books-Laun,
Greek. philosophy. and especially the
higher branches OF mathematics and
logic.
mourning out this information and
learning on avery one that he ad-
dressed, I'd have liked him pretty
well. But, even as Il was, he and
were. you would have thought, great
pals.
We got together every time we
could because each OF US wanted 10
pump the other for whatever straws
we could ind which way the wind
blew from the heart OF May Martina
Nfanrl1m-rather a mixed metaphor;
Goodloe Banks would never have
been guilty OF that. That IS the way
You might say that Goodlos ran 70
books manners, culture, rowing IN
tellect, and clothes. would nave
nut YOU in mind more OF baseball
and Friday-niGht debating societies
by way OF culture-and maybe or a
good horseback rider.
But IN our talks together, and IN
our visits and conversation with May
Martha. neither Goodloe Banks nor
I could End out which one OF us she
preferred. Nav Martha was nat
ural-born non-committal, and knew
I'm ger cradle how TO keep people
As said, old man Mangum was
absent minded. After a long time
he found out one dsy-a little but
|. terfv must have tod him-that two
Young men were trying 10 throw
net over the head OF the young per
son. a daughter. or some such tech
meal appendage, who looked after
his comforts.
IN such occasions. Old Mangum
orally labelled and classified GOodloe
and myself easily among the lowest
order Of the vertebrates; and In Eng
lish. too, without going any further
into Latin than the simple references
70 Orgetorix. Rex Helveth-which IS
as far as I ever went, myself. And
ne told us that If he ever caught us
around his house again he would add
US 10 his collection
GoodIoe Banks and I remained
away five days. expecting the storm
10 subside. When we dared 10 call
ut the house again May Martha Man
gum and her father were gone.
Gone, The house they had rented
vras closed. Their little store OF
goods and chattels was gone also.
And not a word OF farewell 10
either or US from May Martha-not
q white. huttering note pinned to the
hawthorn bush: not a chalk mark on
the gate-post nor a postcard in the
postoflce 20 give Us a clew.
For two months C-Oodloe Banks
and I-separately-trie eve y
scheme we could think OF 70 ltdNh
shin and influence with the ticket
the ruraways. We used our friend
agent. with livery stable men, rail-
road conductors. and our one lone
lorn constable. but witout results.
Then we became better friends ana
worse enemies than ever. We fore
gathered In the back room OF shy
der's saloon every afternoon after
work. and played dominOes. and laid
Conversational traps 10 find out from
each other II anything had been dis
covered. That IS the way of rivals.
Now. Goodloe Banks had sar-
castle way OF displaying his own
learning and putting me in the class
that was reading Poor Jane Ray,
her bird IS dead. she cannot play
wei. I rather liked GOOdloe. and /
: had n contempt for his college learn
inr and I was always regarded as
rood-natured. so I kept my temper
And I was trying 10 md out II he
knew anything about May Martha, so
7 endured his society
In talking things over one after
noon he said 10 me.
suppose you do find her, Ed
vvherebv would YOU profit? Miss
NTanEura has a mind Perhaps II IS
vet uncuItured, but she is destined
20 higher things than YOU could give
4 ~ ~~7n " q