The Pulaskian., 1921-12-08

Florence gave up. "What differ ence would that make, Mister Taddle- tale?" she inquired mockingly. "I wouldn't be here when she came, would I? I'll thank you to notice there's some value to my time, myself and I'll just politely ask you to ex- cuse me, pray!"
 With a proud air, she crushingly departed; and returned to her own home, far from dissatisfied with what she had accomplished. Moreover, she began to expand with the realization of new importance; and she was gratified with the effect upon her parents, at dinner that evening, when she informed them that she had writ ten poem which was to be pub lished in the prospective first number of the North End Daily Oriole.
 ''Written poem?" said her father. "Well. declare! Why, that's remark able, Florence :"
 I'm glad the boys were nice about | it," said her mother. q should have feared they couldn't appreciate it,
 
 ting you have anything to de with the printing press. They must have thought it was very good poem" Where is the poem, Florence?" MT. Atwater asked. Let's read it and see what our little girl can do"
 Unfortunately Florence had not copy, and when she informed her fa- ther of this fact, he professed himself greatly disappointed as well as anxious for the first appearance of the Oriole that he might felicitate him. self upon the evidence of his daugh- ter's heretofore unsuspected talent. Florence was herself anxious for the newspapers debut, and she made her anxiety so clear to Atwater & Root CT, Owners & Propreitors,' every afternoon after school. during the fol lowing week, that by Thursday fur ther argument and repartee on their part were felt to be indeed futile, and in order to have little peace around 1 there they carried her downstairs. At least they defined their action as ''carrying," and, having deposited her in the yard, they were obliged to stand guard at the doors, which they closed and contrived to hold against her until her strength was worn out for that day.
 Florence consoled herself. During the week she dropped in on all the members of "the family"-her grand father, uncles and aunts and cousins, her great-uncles-andi in each instance, after no protraeted formal prelim- inaries, lightly remarked that she wrote poetry now her first to appear in the forthcoming Oriole. And when Great-Aunt Carrie said, "Why, Flor ence, you're wonderful! couldn't write poem to save my life. I never could see how they do it." Florence laughed. made q depreeatory little side motion with her head. and responded: "Why, Aunt Carrie, that's nothing It 1 just kind of comes to you"
 This also served as her explanation when some of her school friends ex- pressed their admiration, after being told the news in confidence; though to the teachers she said, smiling ruefully, as in remembrance of midnAght oil, Tt does take work, of eoursei"
 When opportunity offered, upon the street, she joined people she knew and even rather distant acquaint- ances-and walked with them little way, and with unaffected directness led the conversation to the subject of poetry, including her own contribution to that art. Altogether, if Florence was not in a fair way to become a poetic celebrity it was not her own fault but entirely that of the North End Daily Oriole, which was to make it's appearance on Saturday, but failed to do so on account of too much en- thusiasm on the part of Atwater Rooter in manipulating the printing press. It broke had to be repaired; and Florence, her nerves upset by the accident, demanded her money back. This was impossible, and the postpone ment proved to be an episode; more over it gave time to let more people know of the treat that was coming.
 Among these was Noble Dill Flor ence's Ideal. Until the Friday follow ing her disappointment she had found no opportunity to acquaint this being with the Dews and but for an encoun- ter. partly due to chance, he might not have heard of 1t. Mir. Dill was twenty-two, but that was his only per ceptible distinction. He was kind, usually, and not unpleasant in appear ance or attire; yet he had neither beauty nor that look of power which is said to Joggle women from their natural poise He was the most every day young man in all the town; and Florences selection of him to be her Ideal still awaits a precise explana- tion. Nevertheless, it had happened; and sentimental enrichment of color i1 har ohoaIyc wac tho racult of her