Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-12-14

Joseph Atwater. and remain until nine
O'Clock. chatty companionship with
Uncle Joseph and Aunt Carrie, his
wife. and a few other relatives who
were in the habit of dropping in there
on Sunday evenings. In summer,
lemonade and cake were frequently
provided: in the autumn, one still
found cake, and perhaps a pitcher of
clear new cider; apples were always
a certainty.
This evening was glorious; there
were apples and cider and cake and
walnuts, perfectly cracked, and y
large open-hearted box of candy.
Naturally, these being the circum-
stances, Herbert was among the
guests; and. though rather at dis
advantage, so far as the conversation
was concerned, not troubled by the
handicap. The reason he was at
conversational disadvantage was
closely connected with the unusual
supply Of refreshments Uncle Joseph
and Aunt Carrie had foreseen the
coming of several more Atwaters than
usual, to talk over the new affairs of
their beautiful relative, Julia. Sci
dom have any relatives new affairs
been more thoroughly talked over than
were Julia's that evening, though all
the time by means of various symbols,
since it was thought wiser that Her
bert and Florence should not yet be
told of Julia's engagement, and Flor
ence's parents were not present TO
confess their indiscretion, Julia was
referred to as 1.-THE traveller" and other
makeshifts were employed with the
most knowing caution; and all the
while Florence merely ate inscrutably.
The more sincere Herbert was as
placid; such foods were enough for
him.
swell, all I say Is, the traveller bet
ter enjoy herself on her travels" said
Aunt Fanny finally, as the subject
appeared to be wearing toward ex-
hausticn. "She certainly is in for II
when the voyaging is over and she
arrives In the port she sailed from.
and has to show her papers | agree
with the rest Of you; she'll have
great deal to answer for, and most
Of ell about the shortest one. My
own opinion is that the shortest one is
going to burst like a balloon"
"The shortest one" as the demure
Florence had understood from the
first, was her Ideal-none other than
Noble Din. Now she looked up from
the stool where she sat with her back
against plaster Of the mantelpiece.
'Uncle Joseph" she said-"I was Just
thinking. What is a persons reasonr
The fat gentleman, rosy with fire.
light and cider, finished his fifth glass
before responding. "Weu, there are
persons l never could find any reason
for 'em at all. "A persons reason 7
What do you mean, a persons rea-
son. FlorenceT
81 mean like when somebody says,
They'll lose their reason" she ex-
planned. "Has everybody got a rea-
son, and If they have, what is 1t, and
how dc they lose it, and what would
they do them"
"Oh. l see! he said. "You needn't
worry. suppose since you heard 1t,
you've been hunting all over yourself
for your reason and looking to see If
there was one hanging out of anybody
else, somewhere. No; it's something
you can't see ordinarily. Florence.
Losing your reason is Just another
way Of saying going crazyr"
"Oh," she murmured, and appeared
to be somewhat disturbed.
Al this, Herbert thought proper to
offer .witticism for the pleasure of
the company.
"YOu know, Florence" he said, at
only means acting like you most al
ways do" He applauded himself with
a burst Of changing laughter which
ranged from a hullfrog crOak to n
colIapsing soprano; then he added
ESPECIALLY when you come around
my end Henry's newspaper building
You certainly lose your reason every
time you come around that q . place r
"Well, course hat to act like the
people eIat's already there" Florence
retorted. not sharply, but in a musing
tone that should have warned him.
It was not her wont to use quiet
voice for repartee. Thinking her hum
BILE, he laughed the more raucously.
"Oh, F1orence" he besought her
"Say not sol Say not sou
children. chfldrenl' Uncle Joseph
demonstrated.
Herbert changed his tone; he be-
came seriously DAaintive 'well, she
does act that Gay. Uncle Joseph
When she comes around there you'd
think we were runnin' a Iullatic
asylum the way she takes on. She
hollers and bellers and squalls and
squawks. Tine least little teeny thing
she don't ike about the way we run
our paper, she comes fappin' over
there and goes to screechln' around,
you could hear her out at poorhouse
farInl"
snow, now, Herbert" his Aunt Fan
ny interpOsed. 'Poor little Florence
isn't saying anything impolite to you
not right now, at any rate. Why don't
you be little sweet to her Just for
onceT"
Her unfortunate expression revolted
al the cousinIy maEliDess In Herbert's
BOSOM. BE a little sweet to herT"
n