Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-25

ful silence which at times made Nm
Raoan nervous and brought the shfver
| on her. Under these extraordinary cir
cumstances I thought it was aduty loves
to Dandy's mother 70 come TO some kin
of an understanding with Mr.. 6parkina
One day, after the wilder had beer
talking and laughing for an hour or more
until she had got quite hoarse In tn
throat, and all to no purpose, as me ant
Mr.. Sparkins didn't put in blessed wort
| during the whole time, stood up by tn
side OF my chair and addressed MI Spar
kins:
aSir," I said, "may ask your inten
tons in taking up Mrs. Ragan's time u
this sort Of styles"
He turned quite black in the face wher
Ispoke, and / thought at first he'd droi
| from his chair in astonishment But he
recovered himself pretty soon AID leaned
back In his seat with scornful smile.
! "What are you up to now, ia like T.
know ?" he remarked, wagging his head ..
IL he was nightly pleased at what hac
said which he wasn't, however.
"I'm up to marrying Mrs. Raglan now
what are you up tor"
He whistled slowly for moment and
|
Then he said to Dandy's mother:
"You hear him, ma'am, don't you !"
IL hope, gentlemen, you won't have
any trouble for my sake" replied Mrs
Raglan, family. II should like to see you
become friends. l couldn't even II
wanted to, marry you both since to
marry me seems to be your desire"
Nobody, ma'am," said Mr.. Sparkins
waving his hand" nobody, mann, Looks
for you 10 marry both of US. But since
that person." (scornfully pointing to mel
"has brought the subject up in this truly
impertinent style, | should be pleased To
know which one, If either, you'd select
for husband 2"
Here the poor little wilder began to
grow quite nervous and pale in the lace
and trembled in her chair.
"Mr. Sparkins." she ssammered, "Mr.
Bartles. ! do hepe you'll be friends. You
you frighten me !"
was blind with rage, and I could have
collared Sparkins on the spot for terrify-
ing the wilder, but kept my passion un.
der control.
please, now, Mrs. Ragan," ! said, as re-
spectfully as ] could, "give US an answer.
Which will you marry? Is 1t mef Is it
lis 1t that person p making use of Spark
ms own expression, and pointing him out
in his chair.
Mrs. Raglan gave sort of little
ecreech and took to shivering all over.
Then she turned to Dandy, who was sit
ting by her side looking on wondering
Dandy" she said, bending down and
hiding her face, (which must l marry ?
Who would you rather have for father
MIR. Bartles or Mr.. Sparkins?"
Nov, Dandy" remarked, holding up
my finger, (which, nows Remember !"
!" He ruined over you, remember,
Dandy" observed Sparkins, with an ugly
grin.
eyes; but Mr.. Bartles gives me horse
cakes and sugar .plums," remarked Dandy,
like the little man that he was. Sand he's
a-golpg to bring me a gun on my birth.
day, and-and"-
"And pony on your next birthday
after, Dandy" / put in, seeing he was for
getting.
Eyes, ma, and pony, too, and 80 think
I'd rather have Mr.. Bartles for q father,
ma"
As he spoke, Mrs. Rsgan caughthim up
in her arms and kissed him, laughing and
blushing at the sans time, and the idea
came TO me at the moment that Dandy
had Just spoken her own sentiments.
"Well?" said Sparkins, in surly way,
after looking on for q minute.
II left 1t to Dandy to choose, Mr.. Spark
ins," answered Mrs. Ragan, still with the
color In her face, and with her sweet eyes
looking down to the floor, land 1t would
never do to 90 against his decision.
must accept Mr.. Bartles but hope you'll
forgive nae If reject you"
"Oh, mA'am, don't mention It'll" said
Mr.. 6parkins, rising from his chair and
looking at me savager than ever, as he
walked toward the door. Going out he
touched me on the shoulder,-"If you
aren't too much interested" he remarked,
II should be glad TO see you at the public,
round the corner, at your earliest conve-
niencc, SIR" And then he went out
slamming the door behind him.
What I said to Dandy's mother and
what Dandy's mother said to me, and
what Dandy had to say to both Of as, after
Mr.. Sparkins had taken his departure,
don't much matter, presume. However
interesting this conversation was, felt 1t
my duty not tn disappoint Mr.. Spsfkins,
who knew was waiting for me st the
time ut the public-house near by. 30 l
told the wilder good-bye-I don't say,
mind, that didn't kiss her-snd started
off to find Mr. Sparkins.
As soon xs entered the room OF the
publlc-house he put down his glass OF ale,
which he had just emptied, and put up his
fists at me.
"You shan't have the wilder without .
fight for her." said Mr.. Sparkins, as he
made pass at me.
"She's worth fight for her." answered
as made another pass at him, and fortu-
nately foOred him. This ended the diff
Guilty, and when he got up he shook hands
with me and said was welcome to the
| wilder.
Now, ladies and gentlemen all, I've told
all the story have to tell. I'm Dandy'l
father now, which am also the husband
of the wilder, and hope and believe I'm
good father to the lad. / try in every
way can to make up for his sffliction,
and often, think, cause him to forget that
he isn't q lucky ~ other boys are who
have two good legs and who can get or
| without the use Of . crutch.
The next birthday which ID to bring the
promised pony hasn't come yet; but IN
the mean time, on fine afternoons. take
Dandy out riding, sitting at my feet or
the platform Of the car and when ! toll