![]() |
|
Ah, my man! I want to find a lapidary. A what? It isnt a what, its a lapidary. Lapidary, is it? Lapidary, lapidary, lapi lapila. No, I Now this savant was in a hurry, and said, snappily:- But a city as big as Branton Hills has a lapidary, I trust ! Oh, Branton Hills has a lot of things. But, wait a bit! It aint a lavatory what you want, is it? But at this instant, to old Pats salvation, Kathlyn, passing by, said: All right, Pat. I know about this ; and, both taking a taxi, old Pat walking round and round, scratching his bald crown, was murmuring: LapidAho! I got it! Its probably a crittur up at that zoo! I aint forgot that hop, skip and jump, walloping Australian tornado! And now His Honor has put in a lapidary!! I think Ill go up with that old canvas bag! But why all sich high-brow stuff in naming critturs? This lapidary thing might turn out only a rat, or a goofy bug! But that fairy bug, Dan Cupid, goofy or not, as you wish, was buzzing around again; and, though this story is not of wild, romantic infatuations, in which rival villains fight for a fair ladys hand, I am bound to say that Cupid has put on an act varying much from his works in Gadsbys mansion; for this arrow from his bow caught two young folks to whom a dollar bill was as long, broad and high as City Hall. Both had to work for a living; but by saving a bit, off and on, Sarah Young, who, you know, with Priscilla Standish first thought of our Night School, and Paul Johnson, who did odd jobs around town, such as caring for lawns, painting and man-of-all-work, had put by a small bank account. Paul was an orphan, as was Sarah, who had grown up with a kindly old man, Tom Young; his old woman, dying at about Sarahs fourth birthday. (That word old woman, is common amongst Irish folks, and is not at all ungracious. It had to crawl into this story, through orthographical taboos, you know.) But Sarah, now a grown young lady, had that natural longing for a spot in which a woman might find that joy of living, in having things to do for just us two if bound by Cupids giftmatrimony. Many a day in passing that big church of Nancys grand display, or Gadsbys rich mansion, Sarah had thought fondly about such things; for, as with any girl, marrying amidst blossoms, glamour and organ music was a goal, to attain which was actual bliss. But such rituals call for cash; and lots of it, too. Also, Old Tom Young had no room in any way fit for such an occasion. So Sarah would walk past, possibly a bit sad, but looking forward to a coming happy day. And it wasnt so far off. My, no! As Nancy had thought April was a million months long, Sarahs days swung past in a dizzy whirl; during which, in company with Paul on Saturday nights, a small thing or two was happily bought for that Cupids Coop, as both found a lot of fun in calling it. But Sarah naturally had girl chums, just as Nancy and Kathlyn had; for most of that old Organization was still in town; and many a gift found its way to this girl who, though poor in worldly goods, was as rich as old King Midas in a bright, happy disposition; for anybody who didnt know that magic captivation of Sarah Youngs laugh, that rich crown of light, fluffy hair, or that grand, proud, upright walk, wasnt amongst Branton Hills population. Paul, scratching around shady paths, a potato patch or two, front yards, back yards, and city parks, was known to many an old family man; who upon knowing of his coming variation in living conditions, thought way, way back to his own romantic youth; so Paul, going to Sarah at night, brought small but practical gifts for that coop. As Sarah and Paul stood in front of City Hall on a hot July night, Sarah scanning Branton Hills Post for vacant rooms, who should walk up but His Honor! And that kindly hand shot out with:- Aha! If it isnt Paul and Sarah! Whats Sarah hunting for, Paul ? Sarah is looking for a room for us, sir. Us? Did you say us? Oho! H-mmm! Im on! How soon will you want it? Oh, said Sarah, blushing, not for about a month. But, said His Honor, you shouldnt start out in a room. You would want from four to six, I should think. Sarah, still ogling that rooms column, said, softly:- Four to six rooms? Thats just grand if you can afford such. But, Wait! said Gadsby, who, taking Pauls and Sarahs arms, and strolling along, told of a small six-room bungalow of his, just around from Nancy s. And you two will pay just nothing a month for it. Its yours, from front porch to roof top, as a gift to two of my most loyal pals. And instantly a copy of Branton Hills Post was blowing across Broadway in a fluky July wind! Now, as this young pair was to start out frugally, it wouldnt do to lay out too much for, as Sarah said, about forty words by a pastor, and a kiss. So only Priscilla stood up with Sarah; and Bill Gadsby, in all his sartorial glory, with Paul, in Parson Browns small study; both girls in dainty morning clothing; Sarah carrying a bunch of gay nasturtiums, claiming that such warm, bright colorings would add as much charm to that short occasion as a thousand dollars worth of orchids. Now, such girls as Sarah, with that capacity for finding satisfaction so simply, dont grow as abundantly as hollyhocks and Paul found that Gadsbys old Organization was a group knowing what a dollar is: just a dollar. >1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 . 35 . 36 . 37 . 38 . 39 . 40 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 |