Evening star., 1922-04-09

Il take it," says Barry. that after
you delivered the beans you used to
stick aroundo"
I\TOT at first" says Mr. Phillips.
'No. About all I could do was
to humble, 'Hullo, Carrie and dash
out with my ears burning. But the
next night I'd lie awake thinking up
the clever and tender speeches I
would make next time. I'm sorry to
say l never got one of them off For
one thing. seldom saw Carrie alone.
If her sister Anna wasn't behind the
bakery counter with her. there would
be other girls, friends of theirs.
Sometimes there would be three or
took all my courage just to get in
and out. Or there would be Gus
toners. or Mother Dawes"
But you did manage it somehow.
didn't you?" 1 asked.
Eventually" he admitted II used
strategy. You see. in our town,
most of the young people went to
Unitarian Church. The minister was
young and popular. He organized
Wednesday night dances in the base
ment chapel. and amateur theatri-
calls, and sociables. We liked his
short sunday night talks on the new
novels and plays. and he didn't
seem to mind our making the bal
cony gathering place. Then, of
course, after the service was over,
the boys could see the girls home.
That is. those of us who had the
nerve to do it. We would line up
on either side of the front walk and
wait for the girls to come out Then
an arm to the girl of their choice.
| and in that way they would pair off. .
How quaint" says J.
Il know" says Phillips Now
the young hicks drive up to the front
door of the girls homes and toot
the horn for 'em to come out. That
doesn't take any courage at ALL But
to step from the ranks and claim
your girl with perhaps a hundred
people loking at you. without know
ing whether or not she was going to
toss her head and turn you down
that was a test. l don't know how
many Sunday nights / waited for
Carrie Dawes. only to get cold feet
at the last minute and sneak off
without saying word. and from the
shadows watch some other fellow
lead her down to Tilton's drug store
for a soda.
But at last I worked myself up
to the point of making a desperate
plunge. l stumbled out from the
line, muttered something that sound
ed like Pleasure seein' yuh home,'
and stuck out my right elbow. For
one awful moment there was no
response. I suppose she was turn
ing to see who the little chap was
who acted so awkward and spoke so
huskily. A girl behind her giggled.
1 took three or four steps beside her,
but it seemed as if I had walked
mile in suspense, thinking how I
should feel if she refused. My knees
trembled. Perspiration stood on my
forehead. And what a blessed re-
lief it was when l felt her soft, warm
arm tucked under mine and realized
that 1 had won out
Well" says 1. You were a BASH
full kid, weren't you? After that,
though, suppose You were just as
fresh as any of them?"
X X X X
"HARDLY,' says he. q don't think
I said half a dozen words on
that long walk home with Carrie
Dawes AS 1 remember, she didn't
say much, either. One of the quiet
kind, Carrie was; sweet and modest
Probably I was nerving myself for
what knew 1 had to do at the front
gate. I had heard the other boys
brag. I knew what was expected
of me. So said good night, 1
reached up and planted a poorly
aimed kiss somewhere near her left
ear. Clumsy as it was, I've never
done a braver deed. l fully ex-
pected to get slapped for 1t. 1 wasn't
sure she wouldn't shrek for help and
denounce me to her mother as well.
But she did neither. Sillyv says
she Not that way. Herer And with