Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-08-17
MABEL'S REACTION
BY H. LOUIS RAYBoLD


MS desk and scanned the proofsheets
Oh The weekly edition.
suddenly he paused and cooked one
eye reiiectiyely ceilingward SO Mabel
was coming home Home to quiet lit
tie Evansville after four years at 4
WoIaens college in the city.
What he speculated, would be the
result? How would Mabel react to
the drab environment of her birth
place, whose chief dissipation was a
strawberry festival whose chief source
OF upiift was an occasional Chautau-
qua? Well, there was a vast field for
Maoers influence, Carter decided. A
vast and hitherto unfarrowed field.
And in the weeks that followed Car
Ter lent an occasional editorial pen
TO the preparation of that field for
the seeds Of Mabel's sowing.
| Miss Mabel Chester adorned her
part as taken In the Shakespearean
play presented by her sorority on Fri
day last. Perhaps with her advent the
old Dramatic club Of Evansville Will
awaken to new triumphs.
with pleasure Evansville welcomes
the imminent return Of Miss Mabel
Chester, a native daughter, who will
undoubtedly bring with her great in
SEPARATION from her contact with the
neighboring metropolis which will re-
dound to the advantage of our town"
Miss Mabel Chester on her arrival
on Mondays noon train commented
favorably on the improved appearance
of Main Street AN imposing struc-
ture, she characterized Eb Clark's new
hardware store. SO say we all"
AS a matter Of fact "some little gift
shop" would have been a more accurate
Interpretation of Mabel's remark, but
Carter, Loyalty building a reputation
for her, had edited as he saw fit. Since
school days Carter had had Mabel more
or less on his mind and now, although
she had grown up, he did not seem to
find 1t easy to shift the responsibility.
Not only, however, through the me
dium of his paper did Carter seek to
aid and abet Mabel in an effort to
uplift Evansville.
Yours is a wonderful opportunity,
Mabel" he told her solemnly on the
occasion of his first call. Here is an
entire town sunk in intellectual apathy
as II were. Yours shall be the guiding
hand that summons US upward"
"You-you are very confident Of my
oLf I'm,
doubtfully.
"But the advantages you have had !
Why, you owe it to yourself to expand,
to develop, to unfold 1t would be a
crime burying your talent"
wait" interrupted the girl coldly.
Remember, my dear Carter, you are
not writing an editorial. Tell me
who's been married or Tilted while
was gone"
But Evansville backed up Carter.
Mabel was exalted to a pedestal of his
making and of the towns approving.
She was asked to speak at church So
cables on "Ways to Improve Evans
Vile" Her advice was sought regard
ing the curricula of the local schools.
She was made a member Of the library
board
Carter himself hunted up the old
members Of the Dramatic club, gath
cred them into Il somewhat reluctant
session, and seurred them into voting
Mabel in as president.
The idea was that the entire popula-
ton of Evansville was to turn out and
betake themselves with basket lunches
to a certain popular grove reserved
for picnics of any kind.
Beneath a spreading maple by the
rivers brim Garter lay stretched at
Mabel's side while she read from the
younger poets for several minutes.
however, she stopped and
closed the book with vehemence. In
fact, it looked for a second as If she
we're about to cast the delicate little
volume from her.
Then, Carter" she began and her
eyes were blazing. II think you are
to blame for all this tomfooleryl"
Carter looked at her quizzically.
what tomfoolery do you meanT' he
asked.
"Why-alI this uplifting businessi
AS if | had nothing to do but reform
Evansville l am sick TO death In /
hearing Of my wonderful advantages
and unparalleled opportunities and
Dut what's the use?
you're possessed with It all and so
could not make you understand. Be /
fore | came home, / did have little
Dit Of an idea that l could do some
hing perhaps TO stir up the town
iad even made a few plans for civic
and activities. Now !
leyer want 10 hear Of such a thing
lgainr'
Mabel, gazing mOunfully down the
liver as one who watches vanishing
Illusions, failed 10 catch Carriers litte
atisfied nod and the smile in bis eyes.
But the sudden feel Of his strong
'ouug arms about her startled her com
lletely from her reyerie
"Dear MN girl said Carter ten
erly, I'm never mention uplift 10
.o, a04fn-if uouiu iu.f murrV me