New Britain herald., 1922-05-26
The Meaning Lillian Read Into
 Dicky's Telegram.

"Mornn' Mis- Graham, Lookit' Here's telegram for you. Yes Ma'am Funny thing, I was down to the Harhor this mornin carly because of Lady. she's sick, and | went 10 see old Doc Denton, yes, Ma'am, And jest as l was comn out of his office, the telegraph fellow over at the sta ton was jest comin out, and he siy' me this message Yes, ma am Wasn't that funny that l jest hap pened to be comln' out?'
 Jerry Ticer, ahamhling, awkward, but with such honest good nature shining in his ruddy boyish face that one simply had to smile kindly at him, or to mark ones self A hopeless mis- anthope, delivered his monologue much as f he were ''reciting piece" in school while l hastily scanned the contents of the yellow envelope which he handed me.
 "Yes. Jerry, that was funny" l said mechanically, then rousing my self to the inquiry which l knew the boy expected, I asked solicitously: "1s Lady very sick"
 "Yes. ma'am. she's pretty sick When I got up this morning she was all doubled up with collie, but l gave her quart Of turpentine and water, and she felt little better. But old Doc Benton, he's got a splendid medi cine for colic so I went down to see him and got some You ought to try it some time. Want me to leave some ?"
 The sight of Lilian's face with its patent struggle to smother its laugh ter made it exceedingly difficult for me to keep my own face straight. hastened to dismiss Jerry
 A Mission for Jerry.
 That won't be necessary. Jerry said, If I want any l can always come to you for it, and now l wish you'd go out and count all the chickens carefully IT they're all there you needn't come in again, but if any are missing. tell me at once.'
 "Yes. ma'am." Jerry hustled off excitedly "You know, Mis- Graham, chicken thieves might have been around after all"
 His voice held a distinctly hopeful note, and I knew that Jerry's love ot "something happening that boon so desired by lonely country bred youth was involuntarily triumphins over his loyal interest in our property.
 "As long es that telegram is not bad news.' Lillian said, as the door closed after him. "a fact I know from your unruffled face, will you enl1ghten me as to this mysterious Lady who is given a quart of turpentine and water and whose collie medicine our Jerry SO solicitously offers you? I trust for your sake 1t has nothing like turpen- tine in it.
 Through my laughter at her puzzled expression there ran a swift little feeling of elahon that my face had been enough of poker one to deceive so astute an observer as Lll- 1ian. For the news in my wire, while not exactly bad, was still disturbing, and I was glad indeed that she had considered my face ''unruffled.'
 HThats Easy"
 Lady is a new acquisition or Jerrys" I explained. She IS an old' broken-dovn horse, one of a serles which he has bought cheaply nursed and sold more cheeaply, or lost by death. You would know this. added severely, If you spent more time informing yourself as to the business of the neighbors and less on the affairs of the nation.
 "Peccavi. Peccavi!' she crled' 1aughing. But I am relieved to know YOU will not be expected to take the collie medicine And I tatke of my hat to Jerry's optimism.
 Tt is unconquerable." returned Then I held out my telegram to her for I knew she would never ask It's contents. You know Dickys protes- sional affairs better than do. What do you think thtis means
 She read over aloud the message had just conned
 "Please send immediately, express small trunk. complete changes heaN- ies. medium. socks, silk, golf stock ines. shoes. knickers, clubs, guns evening clothes, ties. anything else