The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-10
THE PLAID DRESS

HE MAN from the old home town
was sitting in the parlor looking at
the family album, under the direction of
the youngest member of the family,
when the head of the house. arrived by
way of the kitchen door.
who's in the parlor" Bickerby
asked his wife. =
It's your friend. Lew Morris from
Browntown," replied Mrs. Bickerby,
who was busy with the preparation Of
dinner.
HUH was Bickerby's comment,
that means an evening of talk, for Lew
is the biggest windbag ever met, and it
seems a long visit, too" ),
Hes been real quiet, said his wife,
'since Bonnie dug up that old album
from somewhere. He seems to be in
terested in the photographs"
Bickerby entered the parlor and
greeted the visitor.
Thought I'd drop in and pay you
a visit" began Lew. The little shaver
here brought out the album and I've
been greatly interested"
Bickerby rubbed the palms of his
hands together and nodded pleasantly.
Il suppose you've lots of news to tell
me of happenings back home"
YES" replied Lew, with his eye still
on the album, but he was not as fluent
as usual and, much to his surprise,
Bickerby had to fish vigorously for any
bits of news. During the dinner Lew
was still thoughtful and distract and his
host was finally prompted to ask
whether his health was good.
Lew woke up. "Oh, yes" he replied,
never felt better. suppose you think
I'm rather quiet and knowing me as you
do, might imagine that l am under the
weather or something like that. But
the fact is, I've had rather a shock. You
know I'm a bachelor and always have
BEEN"
Yes" said Bickerby. But 1 never
knew why you and EN- broke up"
I'VE quarreled," explained Lew, "be-
cause was jealous, / asked her to go
to the country fair and when I drove
up to get her. she said she had to stay
home on account of her. mothers not
being well. 1 had to go on alone"
II don't suppose observed his host,
you'd ever think of miSsing the fair
Certainly not said Lew, *syou
see it was only held once year and I
looked forward to it. So / got there
and strolled alone, through the crowd,
IeelluS DlJ DltCeE anu WlSDIuS Emhd
was with me, when whom should see
but Emma with another fellow! She
had on her new plaid dress and was as
happy as a lark. was mad. turned
around as if had been shot and drove
straight back home and missed the best
part of the program. :
"The next day + saw Emma and we
had it out. She tried to tell me then
she hadn't been at the fair, and here
I'd seen her with my own eyes. I'd
known that dress anywhere. We haven't
spoken since"
"She's still unmarried. isn't she?"
asked Bickerby. -
: Yes"
But what has the old album got to
do with it?'
Lew cleared his throat and looked
embarrassed. 'It's picture saw here
of girl in a plaid dress, standing next
to a man, and recognized him as. the
fellow / had seen at the fair. l looked
close at the girl. If she were not EN-;
graph was dated in 1903. There was a
photographer there in tent. Now /
want to know all about this
Bonnie brought the album to the
table and Mrs. Bickerby looked at the
photograph. why" she cried, that's
the man standing there with her. They
have five children and a fine farm"
May borrow that photograph? ~
asked Lew.
Certainly" replied Mrs. Bickerby.