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About The Maupin times. (Maupin, Or.) 1914-1930 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1914)
Being tho Story of the Courtshi of a Widow and Deacon. By DON LA GRANGE. (Copyright, MH, by the McClur Newspa per Syndicate.) Deacon Strothers and his wife were eating supper when sbe Bald to hlra across the table: "Moses, If I should die, would you marry again?" "Bless me, but what a question, be replied as he choked. "But I should like to know." "It ain't likely that I would." "You believe I'll go to heaven when 1 die, don't you?" "Straight as a crow flies." "And how'd I feel lookln' down from heaven and seeln' you around with mother wife!" "But the angels In heaven cant innir down on earth." "It Is said they can't, but how does anybody know they can't?" "These are nice mashed taters, aid the deacon as he helped him elf to some more. His wife was a Christian woman and a church member, but neverthe less there were time when she want ed to know, you know, and he found It safer to" choke her off than to argue with her. He was hoping he had In thlB caBe when she said: "Yes, I've got a knack of mashln' taters, and you'll miss me when I'm gone. How about my question, Moses?" "You'll probably outlive me by ten years." "I probably won't and I want to know If you will marry again?" "No, sir, I shouldn't!" The deacon was vexed with her persistency, and he brought out his answer with an emphasis. "All right," said the wife and be gan talking something else. Next day she and another woman were drowned by the upsetting of a boat on the river. The deacon, who was over fifty, was overwhelmed for a time, but gradually his grief wore away and he was like himself again. It Is not contended that he was an abBent-mlndod man, but it is stated, and It is quite reaconable, that after the first month the deacon did not think of that promise asaln for four years. Then It came like a knockout Wow. Fit by bit he had come to be friends with the widow Stevens. He had sat on her doorstop; he had sat by her fire; he had hoed in her gar den; he had split wood for her cook Btove. Aye, he had called her Sarah, and Bhe had called him Moses. One evening he had had a talk with him Belt beginning with: "By the great horn spoon, but that wldder can make a custard fit for a king!" And then: "Deacon, you have been "a widower for four years for four long years. You have been sad ana lonely. It has come mighty hard." And acain: "There's folks wlnkln' and bllnkln' around and savin' that me and the wldder will make a match of it, but let 'em wink and blink. It hain't none nf thptr nenkv business, and I have told 'em so." Then, with a chuckle: "T wouldn't ha a bad match for either one of us. Home is where the huRband and wife Is, and we've neither one of us got a home 'cordln' tn that. I wonder if I had better hint around?" Three minutes elapsed and then the deacon brought his first down and ex claimed: "Hint? Hint? No, I won't hint a hint! I'll iust ask her outright!" And he was going over In his mind what he would say when a thought struck him and he fairly leaped from his chair and gasped out: "Mv nrnnilsfl to mv Wife that I wouldn't marry again!" For five minutes Deacon Strothera tn na weak In the knees as If he had seen a ghost. He had promised nnH that nromlse was like a wall across his future path. "What did Martha ever pester me into mnltlnff that Dromise for?" he asked himself. "It wasn't right no, It wasn't. Did I ask her not to marry again In case I died first? No, of course I didn't. I jest left It to her feellnes In the matter." Was there any way out of It? Couldn't that promise be dodged It was an hour after the deacon's usual bedtime, but he was Btlll as lively as a fox. He went over the matter for ten minutes and then said: ' "Why did I promise? Bacause Martha was In the best of health, and appeared good for fifteen years yet Did she give me the slightest hint that she was goin' to be silly enough to get Into a boat the next day? No, she didn't. Did Bhe say she might get drowned? Not a word. Wouldn't a court hold that It was deception, and that I wasn't bound by my prom lee. When Jabes Reed sold me a cow for $30 and never said a word about hor Jumpln' fences didn't the court make him take her back. It said he BiippresBed a fact. Didn't Martha do the same?" ' i The deacon went to bed feeling bet ter, but when ho awoke next morning his conscience began to trouble him again. 1 "By heck, but sunthln' has got to be did!" exclaimed over his break fast; and Boon as the meal was fin ished he clapped on his hat and went out to look up Robert Roebuck. ; Mr. Roebuck was known as a very pious, God fearing man, and ha would Ki;e both Kit!'..i r niu ut4e ami render a fair decision, lie was given the acts, and, after chewing on thorn foi five minutes, he said: 'Deacon, you was a fool for muklu' any such promise." "I know 1 was." "My old woman has asked me more'n forty time to promise the same thing, but I never have done It and never will." "Hut I wlbh I hadn't." , "Rut you did, and now we must see how you can get out of It. Was your wife ever In a boat till that day?" "Never." "Was there any call for her to go on the river?" "Not a call." "Which of the women suggested that they take the boat?" "My wife." "Deacon Strothers, If that don't come under the head of conspiracy, then my old white cow 1b a red one! If any one conspires to force a prom ise out of another then that promise won't hold." I believe you are right, Mr. Roe buck," replied the deacon with relief In bis voice. 'Of course I am. An agreement that benefits only one Bide does not hold. Did your wife speak up and say that she would not marry again If you died first?" "She did not!" "Well, there you are, as free as a bird, though you'd better go to the parson and Bee what he thinks about , He may hold sentimental views. The deacon walked over to the par sonage, and sot wishing to be too brusque about It be began: "Parson, do you bold that an angel in heaven can see what is going on here below?" "If they could they wouldn't be angelg very long," was the grim reply. But did you ever preach that they could?" "Not that I remember of. Heaven Is a long way off, deacon." ,"My wife kinder believed that after she got to heaven she could see what was takln' place down here." The parson was silent. "She wanted me to promise not to marry again in case she died, because If she looked down and saw me with second wife It would make her feel bad." "If anything could make the angels feel bad In heaven, It would not be heaven, would It?" "By George, parson, It wouldn't! Martha was mistaken about it. If I was to marry half a dozen times over she couldn't know anything about it." 'But did she ask you to promise?" queried the parson. "Yes, she kinder asked." "And you promised?" "Yes, I kinder promised, but It was because I did not want her to. feel bad as an angel. Now that you say she couldn't feel bad If Bhe tried her hardest, I guess that promise needn't bother me much." "But look out next time, deacon." "Yes ahem yes ! " "Its the widow Stevens, I pup- pose? "Yes, kinder." "Thrown out any hints yet?" "A dozen, I guess." "You may find that she made promise to her dying husband." 'Jewhlttaker! I'll Bee about that the first thing!" It was a new scare for the deacon, and he made the two blocks to the widow's house on the trot. He found her in the garden coaxing" the pea vines to climb their best, and he didn't wait a- minute before asking: "Wldder Stevens, did your husband expect to go to heaven when he died?" 'I don't see how he could. He was a man that cussed and gambled and drank." "Did he ask you to promise not to marry agin?" "No, he didn't, and if he had should have told htm that was my own business. Why are you asking these questions?" "Wldder, hain't I a good man at the woodpile?" "Fine." "And a good one In the garden?" "Sure." "And hain't I lonely and you lonely?" "We are." "Then then let's get married!" "La me! Bring on the parson and have it over with and off our hands, for them string beans have got to be poled afore sundown!" Tree on Tree, A singular tree In Cuba Is called the yaguey tree. It begins to grow at the top of another tree. The seed Is car ried by a bird, or wafted by the wind, and, falling into some moist, branch ing parts, takes root and speedily be gins to grow. It sends a kind of thin, string-like root down the body of tho tree, which Is Boon followed by others. In course of time these roofings strike the ground, and growth immediately commences upwards. New rootings continue to be formed and get strength until the one tree grows aa a net round the other. The outside one surrounds and presses the inner, strangling He life and augmenting Its own power. At length the tree within Is killed, and the parasite that has taken pos session becomes Itself the tree. Scares One So. "What kind of doctor would you prefer, a cheerful one or a solemn one?" "A cheerful one, I guess. At least I bate for a doctor to get solemn after ha look at me." TRAINING RULES FOR YOUTHS Old-Fashloned Movements Supplanted by Program of Hygienic and Corrective Exerciser Notable among the achievements of the board of education of New York city baa been the Introduction of the new course of study in physical train ing for boys. This supplants the old fashioned one-two-three movements with a consistent program of educa tional hygienic and corrective exer cises. New boylike athletic move ments are brought into the gymna siums and the boys engage In a course of moderate athletic training, Includ ing hygiene, which Is the basis of all athletics. Thus natural enthusiasms are utilized for constructive school purposes. The 10,000 boys who assembled last June In Central Park to exhibit physi cal training work were given the fol lowing set of training rules: Go to bed at nine o'clock after a thorough wash and a cold splash over chest and trunk; teeth and gums well scrubbed. Clothes and books ready for tomorrow. Bedroom windows open top and bot tom. Rise not a minute later than seven o'clock. Go through two-minute drill and hygienic exercises for demonstra tion. Clean face and neck and scrub hands. Finish up with a big cold splash and hard rub all over. See that feet and legs are clean and rub them hard to get them Into condi tion. Brush teeth and gums thor oughly. Breakfast and all meals: No coffee. No tea. Drink milk, a little at a time. Chew all foods to a pulp. Ask your teacher what foods to avoid. No smoking. Cut out all habits you know are bad. Exercise In the fresh air, equivalent to a slow mile run a day. Walk ten miles a week. If you lose weight you lose vitality; stop work. Before school look yourself over. Am I clean from head to toe? Are all my clothes clean and In order down to the skin? Do I stand like an ath lete?" The boy has no use for hygiene, but he has for athletics, 'and the school interested In hygiene makes use of thlB fact to gain its end. CHILDREN KNOW GOOD CORN United States Department of Agricul ture Outlines Twelve Lessons Covering Important Points. (Prepared by the United States Depart ment of Agriculture.) School teachers In the corn states, or, lor that matter an over tne coun try, who wish to encourage their pu pils to take part In the spreading movement for better corn growing are provided with the outlines of 12 les sons In a new publication of the Unit ed States department of agriculture, Farmers' Bulletin No. 617, "School Lessons on Corn." These lessons cov er such Important points as kind of corn, the best way to plant and culti vate corn, diseases that the crop suf fers from, selection of good seed corn, and the ways of telling good corn from bad. To help the children to become good citizens, the following Bcorecard is suggested: The pupil should bring to school samples of corn and under the super- Score Card Points. 1. Trueness to type 10 2. Shape of ear 19 8. Purity of color In grain and cob... 6 4. Vitality, maturity, germinating power 20 6. Tips ot ears 5 G. Butts of ears , 5 7. Uniformity of kernels t 8. Shan of kernels 6 9. Length of ear B It Circumference ot ear Ii Furrows between rows B 2. Space between kernels at cob 10 .3, Proportion of corn to cob 10 Total 100 vision of the Instructor mark each ear In accordance with the scale indicated. For example, an ear, the shape of which was absolutely perfect would 'be credited for this with ten points out ot a possible hundred. If the shape was somewhat defective the credit would be less, the exact num ber of points depending upon the pu pil's judgment In order to understand fully the meaning ot all the points listed in this Bcorecard teachers are advised to write to their state agricultural college for an explanation of the offi cial Bcorecard used there. The vitality or germinating power of the seed must only be judged after tests have been made In accordance with the methods outlined In Farm ers' Bulletin No. 253. John Did His Duty. "It Is the duty of every one to make at least one person happy during the week," said a Sunday school teacher. "Now have you done so, Johnny?" "Yes," said Johnny, promptly. "That's right. What did yon do?" "I went to see my aunt, and she was happy when I went home." Lad's' Home Journal. I Wow ij tinker in 'the HaIU Scv'id J&rte " I t&n not "ThifiKa c5f All- Xo in ft e?o And And -tfy And fluminA't'e bT.J PLEASURE FOR THE CHILDREN Figure Toy Attracts Attention and Creates Amusement by Simulation of Cage of Wild Beasts. In Illustrating and describing a fig ure toy, the Invention of J. W. Mur ray of St. George, N. B., the Scientific American says: "This Invention relates to toys and has particular reference to devices In which certain figures, such as, for In stance, figures of ferocious animals are employed. Among the special ob- Figure Toy. jects of this Invention Is to attract attention and create amusement by the simulation of a cage of wild beasts having a keeper, certain mech anism being employed whereby the animals and the keeper will be given certain movements." KIND WORDS ALWAYS TIMELY This Struggling World Would Be Hap pier and Better If Expressions of Goed Cheer Were Used, It Is often told that Eugene Field, one day wandered Into a basement restaurant, sat down at a table, put his chin in his hands and gazed mood ily Into space. A waiter came to him and after the manner of his kind enu merated the long list of dishes that were ready to be served. "No, no," said Field, dejectedly, "I require none of those things. All I want Is some sliced oranges and a few kind words." ' Whether or not the Incident be true, It Is suggestive. Unquestion ably, deeds weigh far more than words, and yet It Is almost traglo to think how much happier and better this struggling world would become if kind words were more often heard. We all, every day, come In contact for Corn. 1 2 4 6 6 7 10 - with those who are In Eugene Field's state ot mind. They are In our own homes; mothers and fathers and chil dren. They are behind the count ers of stores; they are employes on trains; they are servants in kitchens; they are everywhere, and their name is legion. A word of appreciation would brighten the whole day and would make It easier for them to ieep on trying. Youth's Companion. Spontaneous From the Heart. Furnace heat and electric light can not take the place of the sunshine. The first will make you warm, and the second will furnish a brilliant Illu mination, tut a certain health giving element will be lacking. Formal courtesies and the helpfulness prompt ed by a sense of propriety, cannot take the place of the kindness which comes warm and Spontaneous from the heart. Girls' Companion. Those Foolish Questions, "Can you swim, little boy?" "Yes, sir." "Where did you learn?" "In de water; where d'yer poseT sup- WAITS CHANCE TO GET EVEN 'opular Film Actress If Thinking Up , Schemes for Dire Revenge for Practical Joke. Lillian Walker, the athletic girl of he Vltugraph company, and Billy Julrk, the boy comic, are now sworn momies, the enmity dating from Oo ;ober 1. Billy, knowing of Miss Walk ;r's antipathy for snakes, played a loke on her that resulted in the pres ent cessation of friendship between :lie popular pair, and now, Miss Walker says, that until she can think jp something severe enough to war runt a retaliation, and carry It through to success, they will not speak as they pass by In their automobiles. Billy secured a property snake, which was as lifelike as human In genuity could make It. He placed the Imitation Bnake In the new pump in the studio yard and, by alluring tales of the cooling and refreshing prop erties of the water, induced Miss Walker to pump herself a glass. It took only a few motions of the pump handle for the snake to ap pear and as It came wiggling from the spout, Miss Walker emitted a piercing shriek and, woman-like, fainted. Billy, frightened at the re- lult of bis Joke, ran for help, but just as he returned, Miss Walker revived, and waving aside Billy's proffered as sistance, walked majestically to her dressing-room, where she spent the rest of the day pondering on the exact form of vengeance to be meted out to her tormentor. DEALING WITH THE OCCULT Picture Fantasy, "If I Were Young Again," Expected to Prove One of the Season's Successes. Released November 16, the Sellg lompany has a powerful reel In "If t were Young Again." The story Is much that of "Faust," In that it deals with the wish, common among the old Scene From "If I Were Young Again." and the middle-aged, for a return of the days of their youth. The Illustra tion shows the scene where Professor Wise, the hero of the play, discovers the vial containing the magic fluid which renews his youth. Pathos and comedy Intermingle in the various Dther scenes of the production. Marguerite Clayton's Fad. Marguerite Clayton has a new version and one in which she is tensely Interested. It was by mere accident that It became known the other day. The pretty little woman who has gained worldwide prominence by her mannerisms on the screen, while playing opposite Mr. G. M. An- lerson, In the Western Essanay dramas, it Is said, tells fortunes by teacups. Heretofore she has been known to spend hours over books written by the best authors. Her artistic bunga low at Niles Is lined with them. saddle horse is at her disposal and she loves tennis and the fishing rod, but of late all these things have been temporarily lam aside to seek new pleasures In the vUions peering at her, bo she says, from amid the tea- leaves. Mayor Was Taking No Chances. Carl Louis Gregory, who is the un derwater photographer of "Thirty Leagues Under the Sea," Is whipping the 20,000 feet of film he took at Yel lowstone park for the Thanhouser- Mutual company Into shape for early release. Mr. Gregory Is the first mo tion picture photographer to receive a permit from the government to take the views. A Denver newspaper re !ently printed an article about Carl Setting the mayor to perform movies marriage." Gregory asked asked him to kiss the bride, but the mayor refused, saying that his wife went to the "movies." Mary Plckford Honored. Mary Pickford's fame has traveled 'ar and wide. Her admirers are lo ;ated in the remotest corners of the Slobe. Recently she had the unique llstlnction of being presented with a llver loving cup and an album con fining the names of thousands of her idmirers in Australia. The album Is reported to contain the official signa ges of the lord mayor and the town ilerk of Sydney. The presentation as made at the Famous Players' com- any studio by Millard Johnson of the Australian Film company of Sydney, ho now is visiting this country. Old Favorite Stilt Popular. George Ade's old play, "The County Chairman," is proving the endurance )f Its reputation in the crowds tt at-lacU. EMS OF OLD WORLD RENCH CATHEDRAL8 MARVELS OF ARCHITECTURAL ART. Rich In Hlstorlo Interest, and of 8ur passing Beauty, Their Damage In Present War Is Matter for Keen Regret. Reims cathedral, partly dostroyed during the recent bombardment, was regarded as the Westminster nuoey of France. On its site, according to legend, Clovls waB baptized Jn the fifth century, and there Joan or Are saw the consecration of Charles VII. There also, the kings of France were crowned and anointed. Two of the chief features of the cathedral, which dates back to mi, were the most famous rose window of the world, almost forty feet in di ameter, and the 630 statues adorning the portals and facades, Including ii colossal statues of French kings. Near the north portal was one of the masterpieces of Gothic sculpture, rep resenting the "Last Judgment," with a figure of Christ in the attitude ol benediction. The Interior was world-renowned for its exquisite stained glass, Its sixteenth-century tapestries and great- organ, one of the finest in Europe. Although not quite so rich in His torical interest, the cathedral of Notr Dame in Paris is more ancient than that of Reims, the main building hav ing been begun In the twelfth cen tury. It Is said that if the pillars ol Notre Dame could speak they might tell the whole history of France. The only coronation celebrated there wa that of Henry VI of England In 1431, Perhaps the finest feature of Notr Dame In Paris Is the Salnte Chapelle, built by St. Louis in 1245-8 far the re ception of the various relics which he brought from the Holy Land. This chapel is perhaps the greatest exist ing masterpiece of Gothic art. Amiens cathedral is . another ol France's thirteenth century churchei to which the world pays visits. This was the church which Ruskin and other people have described as "the finest existing medieval structure." Its incomparable facade, gallerlec filled with the statues of kings, its superb windows and tapestries, and above all Its beautiful choir-stalls and chapels, make the Amiens cathedral Incomparable in many respects. Of special historical Interest to the English is the cathedral of Rouen, foi it was there that the heart of Richard Coeur de Lion was buried prior to its being removed to the Museum of An Wqultles. Another Interesting fact re garding the Rouen cathedral is thai the notable south tower was built al the end of the fifteenth century with what was termed "Indulgence" money, deceived by the church for permission to eat butter during Lent. The glorious cathedral of Chartres built chiefly between 1194 and 1260, Js noted for its solidity as well at beauty, one of Its two spires being generally regarded as the most beau tiful on the continent. Like most oth er famous French cathedrals, it has some magnificent windows. Doubly Rewarded. During a performance in which 1 appeared some years ago a very fa mous actress who was starring in the play lost a diamond necklace, relatei a veteran actor. She searched care ifully for it everywhere, but with nc isuccess, and was on the verge of col lapse when another actor In the com pany found the necklace and took 11 to her. She received it with greal joy and Instantly offered him a re ward of $50, which he politely de clined. The actress insisted, however that he accept some sort of reward. "Well," he answered very modestly since you press me, I should consldei a kiss an ample reward." ,- Needless to say he was paid in full As soon as I could get him alone 1 said: . "Why were you so foolish? You'ri only getting a small salary. Whj didn't you take the fifty dollars?" "Why should I," was his cool re sponse, "when I bet a hundred thai I'd kiss her before the week was up?' Heaven's Germicide: Fresh Air. Right living, rather than medicine; fresh air as the best of germicides That is the new therapy. Every day il becomes more generally recognized la the medical profession and more wide ly Bpread by the official agents ol health. Director Harte of the depart ment ot public health contributes Phil adelphia's mite to the propaganda wltl (a weekly bulletin urging fresh air at 'a preventive of all the "colds" ol winter. Not only tuberculosis fall! before that cheapest of medicines Grip, bronchitis and pneumonia can all be staved off through the wintei months if only people will sleep and work with the windows open. Thej can have the health of summer time II only they will defy Jack Frost. British and German Empires. The population of Great Britain (th Unsted Kingdom) is 46,000,000. The population of the German empire il 65,000,000. The population of thl British colonies Is 374,000,000. Thl population of the German colonies ii 12,000,000. Total population nndei the Cerman flag, 77,000,000. Tota, population under the British flag, 420, 000,000. With the freedom of thl seas, the British empire could, in time put into the field an army of 20,000, 000 men. Five or six millions tl sup posed to be the limit of Germany.