The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1921-03-17
BEAUTY CONTEST
BY MARY LOUISE BUZzELL

AbiJah Skeflington's parlor. The fund
treasury being empty, they were
thoroughly discouraged, for the par
sonage was In a sad state of disre-
pair.
The case was briefly and plainly
stated by Ellen Raymond's tersely
uttered:
We've had rummage sales-apron
sales-and cooked-food sales, till per-
sonally, should be actually ashamed
TO look even a spawned horse sale In
the face. And meantime, the ceiling
in the parsonage living room threatens
TO bury the whole family under pas-
tering at any minute; the kitchen is
a sight. and as for the minister's study
we'll"
Mrs. Skeffington nodded agreement
that the parsonage was In a disgrace
ful condition. then added:
"Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been
simply angelic to put up with II as
long as they have-and something
must be done! I'll confess that I'm
at a standstill! But anyone able TO
solve the problem for US would receive
the thanks Of all Meadowville-and de-
serve a haIo!"
Al this iuncture there was a knock
thH deer Hc"::2;i. and Peace arhhwTight
Rocked IN nth an apologetic:
"Por'or ne-but as mother couldn't
''"rp. she sent me TO-
Mrs, Skeliington sprang up, her face
oeaming.
Peace Arkwright," she cried. 81 be-
lieve you're the very one TO help US out
0f n had predcament! Listen!" And
Peace listened attentively to the tale of
woe unfnIded by the head of the re-
pair fund: and at its conclusion said
thoughtfully:
We'll, perhaps our girls club could
get mp some kind of an entertainment
that wouId bring in some money. IT
would have to be something entirely
new-something you've never had-in
order to be success" Then she add
ed hPsitatingly: "Over in ShelbyviIIe
they had n beauty contest-all the
prettiest girls disguised. with lust
their faces showing through one thick
ness of gauZe, you know-with young
men for judges, who paid So apiece
for the privilege. And over there, the
contestants-er-au off kisses
al 81 each-and they made just stacks
Of money"
Shocked CONSERVATION was depicted
on every face, and Ellen Raymond
gasped:
But Peace-PeaceI This is
church affair-and anything like sell
ing kisses would bring discredit on
the church-and scandalize the whole
town! No-that wouldn't dol" de-
cidedly.
Peace smiled demurely.
But | haven't told you all. ladies.
and | can't-not quite ALL"
1t was the evening of the sheauty
contest. One hundred young men had
cheerfully paid S5 each for Judges"
license-which also entitled him to
the purchase of kiss. The town hall
was packed and as the clock struck
eight the divided stage curtain was
slowly drawn to each side by two lit
tie girls In white, disclosing such a
stared in wonder.
The judges filed slowly past the
stage, peenng intently at each face
as they went. and nodding wisely as
they jotted down names-en pads of pa
per. This ceremony over, the sale
Of kisses uaxed fast-each Judge
eager to enjoy the privilege for which
he had paid toll-even though the
kisses must be implanted on yelled
lips. And Il must be confessed that
while the galutes given were ardent
every pair of lips bore the ordeal with
remarkable fortitude. Then came the
signal for qnmasking and the final de-
cision.
And then-wel, then. In full view
of the audience, the beauties" wrig-
gled out of their draperies and wells
and disclosed to the Mortified judges
a group of perfectly good looking but
unmistakable male persons In conven-
tional evening attire
While the audience fairly howled
its appreciation of the clever caliiou-
fiage, the ante-room door opened and a
bevy of smiling Meadowvlle girls
came out and made deep obeisance to
the disgruntled judges.
And meanwhile Peace Arkwright
was in the back parlor helping Mrs..
Skeffington count the pile of bills they
had taken in. She was also receiving
the almost fearful ths lks of that more
than grateful lady, who, as she packed
the money into her capacious hand
bag, gurgled:
But, Peace, how did 20" over sue
cee6 In making boys look SO much like
girls? My knees fairly shook when
that kissing started up-for I'd made
up my mind thai You were going to
sell candy kisses instead of the real
article How did you do it?"
Peace giggled.
"Why, | enlisted the aid of the
Shelbyville boys. They came over
and t.ODipd our faces with their grease