The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-11-28
Merging Their
Interests
By cRIMBALL AVERY


stood ready to leave New York.
Hey, there. hold that train a sec
ond," yelled an excited but handsome
man as he came trudging along the
platform with six small children.
John Chapman had Just finished
landing the two-year-old twins, when
the conductor called out: Hurry up
there, we've got to pull out. Here,
porter, give him lift with his excess
baggage"
By the time the train had reached
Philadelphia Chapman was actually
doing of to sleep. His nap, however.
was soon interrupted. when jolly
prosperous looking business man greet
ed him with a healthy and vigorous
slap on the shoulder.
"Why, hello, Chapmanl What are
you doing here7 It's been years and
years since I saw you last. What, are
all these your children?"
Fifteen years before Chapman had
roomed with Henry Smyser. He had
Joined the same fraternity at Ringer
college, had played football with him,
and had wooed the same girl.
whats wrong with you. Chapman"
asked Smyser.
II lost my wife about two years ago,
but before / start, let me ask you a
serious question Are you married and
have you any encumbrances?"
mo, I didn't marry that college
widow we were both so daft about;
she's still frisking around roping in
the freshmen. There isn't any progeny
to perpetuate my glorious name But
want to hear how the world has been
mistreating you"
AS Chapman began to reply his
twins started bawling. With look OF
despair he opened a large suitcase.
the interior of which looked partly like
drug store and great deal more ike
a nursery, brought out big, free-f0r-
all milk bottle and after having abated
the children's elamor, the father gave
long sigh. then with tears in his eyes
began again: "Smyser. don't know
how to begin to tell you all I've been
through since my wife died and left
me all these six children on my hands"
Smyser meditated for several mo-
ments. Here was a chance to get re-
venge for that joke Chapman had
played on him the night of the gradua-
ton dance Never had he forgotten
the time Chapman had poured tabasco
sauce into his dancing pumps.
"why don't you get good nurseT
he yentured casually.
"Oh, tell me something new ! Haven't
had hundreds of nurses already and
they always leave me In the lurch?'
"That being the case" interrupted
Smyser in a tone of profound wisdom,
"then have better idea What you
need is a good wife-one that Is highly
domestic"
That's not very encouraging, for no
woman in her senses will have me-"
"Old man." began Smyser gravely.
"You are too quick to throw up the
sponge. Right now know a charm
Ing young widow at Palm Beach. and
I'm sure you two would harmonic. I'd
go In for her myself, but she adores
tall men, and will not look at short
men like myself. Well have to side
track the kids till you've landed her.
I'll keep them for you in some near
by town. Is it a CO."
Chapman was game"
When they reached the famous re-
sort Smyser played his part as
matchmaker admirably. Seldom in the
varied history of modifying had
oo,,,Io boo, GO irraciS+fhIv droup 70
gether. They decided to get married
and leave at once for her native home
In Georgia.
Smyser had consented TO go on
ahead and gather up Chapman's chill
dren, who had been interned at Jack
sonville during the diplomatic nego-
tiations, and take them with him TO
Atlanta, so that the bride would not
hear of their existence till she reached
her home town.
Two days later Chapman and his
pretty bride were on their way to
Georgia.
On alightlng at Atlanta they had
taken but a few steps when Smyser
walked up with all Of the waiting
brood.
"Oh, papa, is this our lovely new
mamma you said was so beautiful"
called out Chapman's eldest.
Mrs. Chapman simply beamed and
looked surprised. then ran to meet
an excited old black nanny. who
came hobbling toward her with six
other children swarming around her.
"Howdy, Miss JENNY Use sho glad
ter see yo'; / done brung all yo' chill
lums TO show 'em to their new daddy"
Before the grinnIng nurse could say
more, the children were hugging their
mother. Then spying their newly ac-
qulred father, one of the oldest girls
called out: rs this our papa? He is
mighty handsome, just as you wrote"
To his intense delight. his bride
leaned down and kissed each one OF
his little darlings. Never had they
seemed so entirely angelic as now. She
exclaimed eheeriIy: "Oh, how shall
love them because they are yours.
We've both had such surprised They
won't be one bit more trouble. for
nanny VIII take perfect care of them
as she does OF mine, and we'll go right
on and finish our wedding tour. won't
we, John. dearf"
No one even thought Of poor dis
comfited Smyser. He crawled off to
far corner, and as he watched the
happy couple getting in the pullman
he muttered 70 himself: well. If that
wasn't regular boomerang. I'll know
myself If ever try again to get even