Newspaper Page Text
THE STARKVILLE NEWS VOLUME 11. A Philopena By BELLE MANIATES PHYLLIS was introduced to him at a dinner dance, and straightway forgot his existence. Later he re called himself to her notice by danc ing with her one of the absurd fig ures of a cotillon iu which they had to eat a philopena. “It carries me back to my school days,” she laughed. “Not very far back,” he insinuated. “Oh, yes; this is my third season!” “Then 1 am right.” he persisted. “I should dislike to tell the number of seasons that I have been indulg ing in cotillons.” “Thou hast all seasons for thine own.” she quoted. Here the figure ended, and Phyllis returned to her partner. “Who is that man I danced with?” “He is a cousin of our hostess.” re plied her partner. “His name is Steph en Jerome, and he has recently come here from Philadelphia. He is distin guished for succeeding in everything he undertakes.” “How fortunate!” she exclaimed. “1 just ate a philopena with him. I had taken no interest in the fact, but I shall now. It will be an incentive to bring failure to so successful a man.” “How unkind!” “No; it does a person good to be thwarted occasionally.” “I don’t question your cleverness. Miss Courtney, but T warn you that you have a brilliant antagonist; he is a diplomat—” The subject of their conversation ap proached with a favor, which he of fered to Miss Courtney. “I regret to decline.” she said, look ing up at him with shining eyes, “but you know our philopena was ‘give or take.’ ” Someone claimed her partner, and Jerome appropriated the vacant chair. “We might dispense with the favor, he suggested, “and yet have the dance, but if you gave me the dance. T should be ‘it.’ ~ No; I shall have to await my opportunity to take (1 mean to give) you unawares.” “You will wait in vain,” she re plied. “It’s a challenge, is if?” “Yes.” she laughed. “I was tempted,” he said, “to myself to be philopenaed in order not to forego the pleasure of a dance, but I shall fight it out to the sure end.” “You are so confident, then ?” “Why should I not be? You say this is your third season., I have been counting mine, and find it is my thir teenth. Should not ten years major ity be to my advantage?” “But 13 is the unlucky number, and This is the year you will meet your Waterloo. I see I must leave you again.” Towards the end of the evening Phyl lis came to him with a favor, which he courteously refused to take. “I didn’t expect you to forget so soon,” she observed. “I simply want ed to return your compliment in offer ing me one.” His partner having been favored, Phyllis occupied her chair. “I want to ask your permission to call,” he said. “You see, in order to test this case thoroughly, we must have frequent opportunities to meet.” “I cannot give you permission,” she replied. “If you call, you must come without it.” “I certainly shall,” he replied. And he certainly did. His calls be came frequent and informal. They met at the opera, at dinners and recep tions. Phyllis enjoyed the novelty of a devotee who could not present her with books, flowers, music, confection ery and invitations to the theater. There was a zest in constantly being on guard and in triumphing over his adroit subterfuges to induce her to “take.” She tried various devices to traphim, but wan always met by that slightly cynical, aggravating smile. * Meanwhile, their intimacy grew amazingly. In spite of the ever-pres ent little feeling of mutual strife, there was an irresistible charm in their com panionship. Spring came, and still they were both baffled in their quest. Their common acquaintances were aware of their motive, and made the subject an amusing feature of conversation. One night Stephen Jerome pulled himself together and acknowledged that he must be up and doing and bring matter* to a climax. He had allowed himself to drift pleasantly along, easily foiling her attempts to give, hoping to find her napping. But he realized that she was ever on guard, and was‘not likely to forget, so he must resort to stratagem and force her hand. He had been content with the equal match through the early ac quaintance, but it was different now. He wanted the philopena question set tled before he asked her to give him something of infinitely more value than a trifling philopena. He gave himself a thorough mental shaking and worked his wits out of their sluggish state of inactivity. He pondered un til a late hour over the ways and means, but was compelled to go to bed with no solution of the problem. The next morning was Sunday. At breakfast the husband of his cousin and hostess announced that he was in disposed, and facetiously tendered to .Jerome his office of passing the piate at morning service. Jerome began laughingly to decline, with thanks; then an idea struck him. “Certainly,” he said, seriously. “1 will at once assume my entire com mand of dignity in honor of the occa sion.” He started at an early hour for church, in order 10 give information of his cousin’s illness and to offer him self as a substitute in the offertory exercises. He hummed a little ex ultant air as he wended his church ward way, thinking that his hour had surely come; for his cousin’s collecting route was the middle aisle, left hand side, and in (his division was the Court ney pew. Phyllis sat In the seat next the aisle; next to her little brother Ned. then a widowed aunt, and at the end of the pew Mrs, Courtney. Phyllis invariably put a little white sealed en velope in the plate and then passed the plate to her aunt and mother for their contributions. Many a time he had watched the process. He was confident she would be caught : she had a holy horror of doing anything to attract attention, and she wouldn’t balk to the extent, of refus ing to pass the plate to the other mem bers of the family, even if she refused to put in her envelope. He waited with anxiety for the oc cupants of the Courtney pew to arrive, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw' them take their accustomed places. The length of the service and sermon seemed intolerable. Never be fore had there been for him a note of welcome in the words “Let your light so shine.” He Jumped to his feet and went, up the aisle in most unholy haste. Phyllis did not chance tc see him on his way to the chancel. It was, therefore, a surprise to her as he camo down the aisle in the place of his cousin’s white-haired husband. Sur prise was quickly succeeded by con sternation. What should she do? A wild desire to leave the church seized her. but her courage wasn’t equal to the undertaking. She was determined, however, not to be checkmated. She put the little white envelope back in the rack. Stephen Jerome and the passing plate came nearer and nearer, he w ith the air of a conquering hero. While at the pew in front of the Courtneys Ik* took in the situation ot the enemy with a comprehensive glance —the White envelope in the rack, the reso lutely folded hands of Phyllis, the se rene slumber of Ned, and the silver coin in the hand of the aunt —a similar one in the lap of Mrs. Courtney. SPRING IN THE VALLEY. When the catkin’s on the willow And the tassel on the birch. The wild bees from tbe hivlngr rocks Begin their honey search. Brown wings among the browner grass And breast all brightening yellow— Pipes up from meadows as we pass The lark's call, clear and mellow; Nov\ wake the burnished dragonfly , Beside the glinting river. That shakes with silent laughter where The iris banners quiver; Now on the budding poplar boughs The tuneful blackbirds perch; For the catkin’s on the willow And the tassel on the birch. Now stalks the solemn crow behind The farmer In the furrow; The dow'ny owl comes out at dusk' And hoots beside his burrow. Now blows a balmy breath at morn To call men to the sowing; Now' all the waterways are full. And all the pastures growing; Now truant anglers drop a line To catfish and to perch; For the catkin’s on the willow And the tassel on the birch. —St. Nicholas. ■ Xew Jersey Corporationi. The 927 New Jersey corporations, having $239,000,000 capital, recently dis solved for nonpayment of taxes, rep resent but one in 24 of the companies incorporated in that state. STARKVILLE, MISS., FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1903. Phyllis proved game. Bhe made no motion to take the plate, as she usua did. She felt the embarrassment of ihe slight pause, and was conscious of surprised, indignant glances from her mother and aunt. Finally her aunt moved closer to the sleeping Ned and leaned forward to take the plate. In his discomfiture Stephen relinquished his grasp of th pUte too quickly. It fell to the floor of tbe pew, and the silver coins rolled about promiscuously. Ned awoke and helped his mother and aunt gather up the overturned contents of the plate. Phyllis was covered with chagrin and embarrassment at the attention attracted by this incident, while Jerome felt that he was at last having his re venge. Her aunt had held the plate during the operation of restoring the money. She turned to hand it to Ned, but he was tinder the seat searching for more plunder. Jerome made no motion to take it, anti Phyllis knew that he would stand there and wait for her to take it. She was not cor nered. however. She moved into Ned’s seat, took the plate from her *’int, and set it down on the cushion. At this moment a little chorister chanted: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” With a smile, Jerome picked up the plate and passed on. That evening during his call he appeared so serious and depressed that Phyllis did not give expression to her triumph of the morning. Suddenly Ned appeared in the doorway. “Phyllis,” he said. “I want to see you.” • She followed him into the next room. The boy looked troubled and sheepish. “What is it. Ned?” He hesitated and then blurted out: “Sav. Phyllis, you know when I was picking tip that money?” “Yes. dear.” “Well. T kept a dime and put it In mv pocket.” “Oh Ned. Ned!” “I’ve been sorry all Jay, I thought I’d put it in the plate r -xt Sunday, but it’s so long to wait. tell mamma. I want you to give it to Mr. Jerome.” “You come in and give it to him. Ned.” “Oh. I can’t. Phyllis. I am ashamed. I should think you might do that much for me.” and Ife uplifted a rueful face with beseeching eyes. She reflected a moment. By a very simple act she could give pleasure to one small, forlorn boy, and one big. unhappy man. “I will. Ned. Give it to me.” and she took the dime from him, leaving a kiss on the fair voting brow'. She then re turned to the music room and walked directly tip to Stephen, who sat with his head leaning listlessly on his hand. “Mr. Jerome,” she said, unflinching ly, “Ned kept one of the dimes this morning. His conscience troubles him. and I told him I would return it to you.” She extended the coin. With a glow of incredulous joy he took the piece of money. Then he put his arm about her. murmuring: “My darling!” Afterwards she said: “It doesn’t count, after all, for you didn’t say ‘philopena!*” “I said ‘My darling?’ It’s the same thing.” he declared. “But I won’t have to make you a present.” she persisted. “No. you have already.”’ N. O. Times-Democrat. I Will Keep “Walled City.” The walls about the city of Manila are not to be destroyed. The proposed innovation met with such a storm of protest that Secretary Root has given orders to Governer Taft to let the walls alone. Manila is now the only walled city In the orient and many people in America, as w ell as the Philippines, pro tested against the destruction of the old fortifications on the ground that it would be an act of iconoclasrn. No part of the wall will be disturbed, al though it is probable that as a sanitary measure the moat will be filled up. Kaiser Posed as Daniel. The cathedral of Metz has anew en trance, a part of the decoration of which consists of arches on which 554 Biblical personages are represented. On the foremost pillars are the proph ets, and among them is a wonderfully well-executed image of Emperor Wil liam 11., occupying the place Daniel should fill. His right forefinger points to a scroll on which the Ten Command ments are written. Exactly.—Mrs Waggles—“ How ro mantic! So she’s a woman who has loved and lost?” Waggles—“ Yes. She married a fellow who spent all her money.” — N. Y. Sun. SHALL THE HOME MAKER i T> 17“ DA in P By ZONA VALLANCE, n 4 ± A jLJ • English Lecturer on Ethical Topics now in this Country. — 4 ... I Ko service rendered to society is greater than that a|| of the mother who rears good healthy children. The ||| services of the housewife are also of use to the com il munity, providing, as they do, for the health and com- U fort of the wage-earner. || To the one who renders them these services have no financial value. The toil of any workingman s. wife is reasonably worth five dollars per week, be sides her board and lodging; but she does not get it. The amount of money handed over to her depends, not on her ability or industry, but on the money-making capacity and the disposition of her husband. We may say that she finds her reward in the happiness and affec tion of her family; but no other worker does his daily tasks for such remuneration. In other departments of labor the incentive to rise rests on the fact that there is money in rising. Only in home-making and the rearing of children is this requital lacking. In London women sanitary inspectors visit the tenement districts,, keeping an eye on the landlords and inciting the mothers to better house keeping. They teach the bad effects of filth and disorder and the prop er feeding and care of children. Why should not the state go a step fur ther and to the housewife who attains a required standard make a cer tain annual payment ? Though necessarily small, this income would add to the wife’s dignity. A great deal of sentiment is woven around the home, but practi cally man, especially when uneducated, despises woman s work because it commands no money. It isn’t a bit more important to drive a cart than to wash dishes, but cart driving compels respect because it receives a wa^e. b Under the system suggested, the state would say: “Your work as home-maker, well done, is of more importance to society than any serv ice you can render as a wage-earner. Provided you reach a required standard, the public will make up to you the loss of your wages. If society does not thus acknowledge the home-maker’s services, there is no way in which she can gain recognition. The wage-earner can change employers, hunt a better market, change its trade. From such opportunities the home-maker is cut off. If she, too, becomes a wage earner, her long hours of daily toil are destructive of home-making. SCHOOL AND CHURCH. In addition to his other honors King Edward is the titular and hered itary preacher at St. David s cathe dral in Wales. He is allowed a sal ary of live dollars a year and a pew in the cathedral is reserved for his use. St. Andrew’s church, at Retlfield, Berkshire, is the only church in Eng land where the bells are rung b} women instead of men. 'lhe vicar be ing unable to obtain men, appealed to the women of his congregation, and six young women have rung the bells regularly, although it is heavy and trying work. The most notable feature of the report of United States Commission er of Education Harris is the great increase in the number of college stu-, dents. There are, he says, 75,472 men in colleges and universities, as against 44.920 ten years ago, and 27,- 879 women students, as against 10,- 701. The only decrease noted is in the schools of theology. Prof. Charles R. Van Hise, who has just been chosen to the presidency of the University of Wisconsin, is the first alumnus of the institution to be come its president. He was gradu ated in the class of 1879 and since 1892 has been head professor of ge ology. His reputation as a geologist was gained on the United States geo logical survey, of which he has been geologist since 1888. Near the little town of Pierre, S. D., there has been established what is known in that section as a “Chris tian Endeavor Rest” for cowboys. This rest or home is sustained by the Congregational Christian Endeavor ers of Pierre, consisting of but 12 members. It is a neat two-story cottage, in which the Endeavorers maintain a reading-room. dining room, bathrooms and laundry. Principal Butler, of a school at Missoula, Mont., nearly got into trou ble because he took his fishing tackle to school and wound and unwound the reel during recitations. The pu pils of the school complained to their parents about the matter; and there was an investigation. Mr. Butler said that he was an ardent angler and fished in a creek near the school house before and after school hours. He liked to hear a reel click, just as any other angler does, so played with It in school, but could not see how It hurt the children. _ NUMBER 14. HUMOROUS. Wantanno. —“Why do you call that boy of yours ‘Flannel?’” Duzno —• “Because he just naturally shrinks from washing - .” Baltimore Ameri can. He (dejectedly)—“ls this final? Is there no .hope for me?” She —“O! there must be some hope. There are lots of other girls who are not so particular.”—Philadelphia Press. A literary wrestling match was the feature of Saturday last. Bill Jinks threw Nat Gilkins five times, and was forthwith declared the greatest poet in Billville. —Atlanta Constitution. Limitations of Hypnotism. New Boarder—“ What’s the row upstairs?” Landlady —“It’s that professor of hypnotism, trying to get his wife's permission to go out this evening.” —- N. Y. Weekly. Something Doing.—“ Are you still braking?” asked the first railroad man. “Nope,” replied railroad man No. 2. “I’ve quit braking and gone to baggage smashin’.” —Chicago Daily News. “Sir, you look like an optimist. You have a happy countenance. Lend me a dollar.” “My friend, do you know why I look .appy? It’s because I haven’t any wealth to bother me.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer. She —“You advertise 13 eggs for 25 cents.” He —“So we do, ma’am.” “I bought 25 cents’ worth of you yes terday, and I only got ten eggs, and they were all bad.” “Yes’m; I sup posed ten would be all you would want of those eggs, ma'am.” —Yon- kers Statesman. The Perils of Youth. —“I think yea are awiully hard-hearted,” she sa'd. “You don’t seem to care a bit even if the baby is sick.” “You wrong me,” said her husband. “But I regard the cause for apprehension as compara tively slight. cannot convince me that an attack of measles is aa dangerous as skating on thin ice or celebrating the Fourth of July.”— Washington Star. He was Competent Himself. Bobby’s father was breaking the news to him. “How would you like to have a lit tle brother, Bob?” he asked. “First rate,” replied the youngster, cheerfully. Then he reflected a min ute. “No,” he said, slowly; “I guess after all Fd rather have a sister. I’m a boy myself, yu know.”—N, Y* Tribune. _ - - - *