The Belding banner-news., 1922-01-04
CHARLIE
BY ADDiE GRAVES.
,oooonoooomN.1,


The four girls stood In the open
gateway of Aunt Car'.ena's" summer
boarding house.
I'll bet you'll marry Hiram Green
inside of three months" exploded
Alice.
Il can see, in his eyes. that you
WILL" added Marie.
"And | see IL N the set of his jaws"
continued Jessie.
And" supplemented Marie. II can
also see II in your own eyes"
Me marry 'Wheelbarrow Charlie !!
You girls must have escaped from
some feeble minded rs tuition. am
going TO call up the selectmen and
have YOU returned TO where you be-
long"
You can't do that. Hiram happens
To be the first selectman In this town."
informed Alice
His hair is like his carrots.
His cheeks are like his beets
With wheelbarrow he peddles
All kinds OF greens for eats"
None of the four imag g.naiive
misses noticed II curly, redheaded
young man stink out the back door of
the hall that reached through inc
house. Hiram strobe energeticaliy
down 10 the Hunter garage.
"Say. Bob. have you got a god
tin Lizzy 10 sell this morning?'
Il got "A brand new one-camc last
night--want it,"
Yes. right now Hadn't intend
ed 10 get one till next month.
Changed my mind. You know | got
a licensc--used To run Uncle David $
truck last winter in the city. No one
knows il around here, though
In less time than il takes to tell
IL. Hiram's car was loaded with garden
truck and back To the gate where had
stood the four girl vacationists. Aunt
Car'lena" preceded four pop eyed gig
glers 10 select dainties for dinner. Can
taloupes, water melon. green corn,
tomatoes. cucunbers and bright red
horticultural beans filled the arms OF
the crowd. who gazed AT the luscious
fruit and fresh vegetables with long
Ing.
The next day was Town Picnic"
day "Aunt Car'lena'' hired Hiram TO
take her guests and herself 10 the fes-
ivitieS. Hiram arrived minus his
thick red curls. having had short
cut. His white fannels white silk
lose and new panama were immacu-
late.
Marie the wit of the crowd. whis-
pered: HE ought To- have white
whcelbarrow and peddle pond lilies.
Estclle registered rebuttal.
"Oh. you're sofiing fast, aren't your
sneered Alice.
While Ihe picnickrrs Were gath
ering, the Younger elemenl enjoyed
q few dances. Atter watching Mar. z
aud Hiram STEAL through sweet. old
fashioned waltz. the bald headed
her into II maze Of modern. newest
fancies. Soon IL required all The con-
centraiion she possessed to follow him
There was no time 10 wonder until he
led her to far corner Of the grove
by the water. Unable. then. to with
hold her curiosity. she yentured:
'-,Nhere did you learn 10 dance like
thati"
Wirh quiet tones OF concealed con.
quest. he replied Il am dancing
teacher. winters. But thought
would try dancing with wheel
harrow on farm scientific dancing
SO I came 70 the old place To ex.
pertinent. I Hnd II very interesting
In more ways iEan one" with sly
glance out the corner Of his eve.
Just then some one came asking Hi.
ram to take him home.
Estetle had seen-what In Hiram's
biz brown eyes; Whatever 1t was
" caused her 10 get into the boat and
iow short distance 10 an island In
the lake.
No one saw her depart When the
cxcursionists started for home the
verdict was that Estelle had stolen a
march on them, or ride. After driv
ing his passengers home. and not find
ing Estelle there. Hiram returned tt
the boat landing
The boat was floating near the
shore. having drifted near its stake
Estelle's amateur knot had not held. A
forlorn little figure stood waving on
the island.
Hiram reWoved the white shoes sno
socks. waded to the boat, and soor
! reached the shore Of the island. Hs
did not land, however, but dropped
the stone used for an anchor. preten
tiously laid the oars In the bottom oi
the boat, and folded his arms
Estelle looked at him In amazement
Aren't You going 10 take me ashore
Mr.. Greeny"
! In a fine tenor. lie sang to his owr
! improvisement
His hair is like his carrots:
His cheeks are like his beets:
With wheelbarrow he peddles
/ All kinds of green's for eats"
Estelle's face gradually grew Xix,
| his beefs'
"Sav I.stolle will Won over Ia -. ,