Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1922-03-02

pOTtdHco, anu DellcFlnS MS IdIHcT "
be possessed of the experience and au-
thority lacking in himself, Ramsey had
come to get him to settle a question
which had been upsetting him badly,
he wanted to know was: Whether it
was right TO wear an extra handker-
chief showing ont of the coat breast
pocket or not, and, if it was right
ought the handkerchief to have a col
ored border OF to be plain white? But
he had never before brought any such
perplexities to his father, and found
himself too diffident to set them forth.
However, when he left the house
a few minutes later, he boldly showed
an inch of purple border above the
pocket; then. as he saw himself about
TO encounter several old lady pedes-
TRANS. he blushed and thrust the hand.
kerchief down into deep concealment
Having gone block farther, he pulled
1t up again; and SO continued to Oper-
ate this badge of fashion, or unfashion
throughout the morning; and suffered
a great deal thereby.
Meantime, his father, rather relieved
that Ramsey had not told his secret,
whatever it was, dismissed the episode
from his mind and joined Mrs. Mil
holland at the front door, ready for
church.
where's RamseyY' he asked.
Hes gone ahead" she answered,
buttoning her gloves as they went
along. II heard the door quite little
while ago. Perhaps he went over to
walk down with Charlotte and Vance.
Did you notice how neat he looks this
morning?"
"Why, no, 1 didn't; not particularly.
Does her
II never saw anything like it be-
FORE" said Mrs. Milholland. HE only
has three neckties, but l saw him sew
eral times la each of them. He must
have kept changing and changing.
wonder" She paused.
I'm glad he's begun to take little
care of his appearance at last. I'll
have to take look at him and give
him a word of praise. l suppose he'll
be i'm the pew when we get there"
But Ramsey wasn't in the pew; and
Charlotte, his sister, and her husband,
who We're there, said they hadn't seen
anything of him. 1t was not until the
members of his family were on their
way home after the services that they
caught glimpse OF him.
They were passing church little
distance from their own; here the con-
gregation was just emerging to the
open, and among the sedate throng
descending the broad stone steps APP
peared an accompanied Ramsey-and
a red, red Ramsey he was when he
beheld his father and mother and Sis
ter and brother-in-law staring up at
him from the pavement below. They
were kind enough not to come to an
absolute halt, but passed slowly on,
30 that he was just able to avoid pa
rading up the street In front of them.
In hoarse whispers, Mrs. Milholland
chided her husband for an exclama-
UkVlA IC 1Ibu ullC1CA. JoAA Vii AouA-
day! You ought to be ashamed"
II couldn't help It," he exclaimed
4Who on earth is his clinging vine?
Why, she's got lavender tops on her
shoes and"
-Dont look round!' she warned him
sharply. Don't"
well, what's he doing at Baptist
church: What's he fidgeting at his
handkerchief about? Why can't he
walk like people? Does he think it's
obligatory to walk home from church
anchored arm-in-arm like Swedes on
a Sunday Out? Who is this conveyed
fat girl that's got him, anyhow"
Hush! Don't look round again,
John
Never fear!" said her husband, hav-
ing d1sobeyed. They've turned off
they're. crossing over to Billiard street
Who is it7''
Il think her names Rust" Mrs. Mil
holland Informed him. II don't know
what her father does. She's one Of
the girls in his class at school. It
would be pleasanter If he'd taken a
fancy to someone whose family be-
longs to our own circle"
Taken faney!' he echoed, hooting.
why, he's terrible! He looked like
a red-gilled goldfish that's Topped it
self out of the bowl. Why, he"
Il say wish if he felt that he had
to take girls anywhere" said Mrs. Mil
holland, with the primmest air Of
speaking to the point-"if this sort Of
thing must begin, wish he might have
selected some nice girl among the
daughters of our own friends, like
Dora Yocum, for instance
Upon the spot she began to undergo
the notifications Of mother who
has expected her son, just out of in
fancy, to look about him with the eye
of critical matron of forty-fye.
Moreover, she was indiscreet enough
to express her views to Ramsey,
week later, producing thus scene of
useless great fury and no little sound.
Il do think it's in very poor taste