The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-01-26
"MAcBETH"
BY JENNIE LITTLE

to1let Will numerous eye. Ten min
utes later stalwart policeman
thumped on the door Of a tiny cottage
sandwiched between tall tenements
like filling in a cream pie. In the
patchwork square of a back yard a
young chanticleer stood filling the air
with lusty efforts at grand opera. A
little woman, pickering her brows
near-sightedly, opened the door, start
ing nervously as a policeman's bulk
doomed up.
"Ma'am," he said, sternly, "that
Fostering fowl is a public nuisance
and peace disturber. A night watch
man has that room yonder and he
claims that when he tries to sleep
mornings that bird starts growing.
ooh" gasped Mrs. Sarah Lib, 81 had
no idea. I love to hear him. I pretend
we're in the country, and it's all the
enjoyment I get"
'Well," said the officer kindly, for
he caught tremble on her lips, mo
harm done if you subdue him so there
! won't be any more complaints"
Next morning golden silence made a
background for the lodger's dreams,
but he turned restlessly and woke
| often. But the second day his ire
| burned high as the familiar strains
rent the stiffness.
The officer knocked again, and now
the culver of Sarah Ibis lips was dis
concertingly evident. ooh, dear!" she
faltered, "you won't arrest us, will you
l put adhesive plaster round his bill
and it worked fine at first, but he's
clawed it off,
you'll have to get rid of him,
ma 'am."
"Her eyes blazed. Eat Macbeth?
I'd sooner eat a relative! Please give
| him another chance!"
| "We-ell," said Burke slowly, as if
canceling life sentence. Turning to
go, he shifted delicious aroma. "Say,
that's the first real coffee I've smelled
for ages. Bet you can rival what
mother used to make. Nowadays try
to guess if I'm drinkin' tansy or dish
water"
Her face lit up like sunrise,
and right there the officer got jolt.
Why, she wasn't bad lookin. She fall
tered, visibly frightened at her own
temerity. "Would you stop and have
a cup? I'm just getting breakfast"
The rest of the day, though coping
with the painful problem of suppress
! ing Macbeth's musical talent, a warm
feeling glowed in the back of her maid
| emily heart, and when she prepared the
meals she blushingly laid two plates
as reminder Of what had been. After
tea she had to go several blocks to
match material for a gown which was
promised for next day, and as she
waited to cross the crowded street. her
policeman himself brought traffic to a
standstill with majestic gestures,
then pilOted her across with strong
hand under her elbow "Wait here
two minutes, ma'am, till I'm relieved.
I'm just taking the place of pal that
got hurt, and when his sub comes on
duty I'll see you home. You shouldn't
be out alone as late as this"
Sarah Lib, dutifully obeying, slipped
home beside her protector.
Alas, how sorrow treads upon the
heels Of JOY! At 5 80 a. m under
friend lodger's window came that song,
''and nearer, clearer, deadlier than be-
FORE" for Macbeth stood on the ridge
pole of the cottage, challenging the
world.
When her officer arrived he found
a tableau in the yard Beside block
stood Sarah Lib, Ratchet in hand, and
chicken clasped to her breast, a life
size representation of Niobe mourning
prematurely for her children.
Here" she sobbed thrusting
weapon and victim upon him. "Wait
till I get in and put the pillow over my
head. Take the remains where I'll
never know. 1 shut him in a box in
the attic and he got the Stats off.
'Tain't fair. Why amt I called Sadie,
wearin' blue ribbons instead of dark
ginghams. Oh, dear!"
The kindly officer drew them both
into the grapevine shelter. "Ma'am,
I've thought considerable the last day
or so which is fair sized stunt for
me. know the neatest little farm
up country with no neighbors, where
this biped can crow his head off, If
you'll marry me and go there. I'm
sick of rough-necks, and I want to
raise beets instead of being everlast-
in'ly on one. Be married in blue
Sadie, and I'll always be true. HIM.
Well, woman can't keep a secret
but Mrs. Sadie never knew that ex-
Officer Guard and the ledger were one
She almost chokes sometimes from
quaflng the draughts of happiness,
while Macbeth has won a blue ribbon
at the Bingham poultry show, to
match the ones his mistress wears, and
wastes his vocal sweetness on the
country air.