Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-08-03
Jack Fcntou's COurtship.
ny HENRY CLAYTON.


that there was not a man within thir-
tv miles who could justly lay claim to
that title. He was long, ungainIy,
slab sided, and lanternjawed speci-
men of humanity, whose feet Were
about the size of Digger papoose,
aud whose hands were about equal TO
= square yard in covering capacity.
Certainly not very eligible person
age, you will say; but this yellow
haired heather thought he was one of
tho incest boys in Christian Hollow,
sad in fact travelled Oh his good looks.
he used to think that when he was
around all the other fellows must get
to one side, and leave the road clear
for him to pass, especially it there was
. girl In the case.
Now girls are scarce in Christian
Hollow, and when there is a really
nice one unmarried, the chances are
che has plenty of beaux's; and this
was the case with Eva Fern, the mic
est little girl in thar section. Jack
went to soc Der, and at once announc-
Cd his intention of marrying her as
soon a. he could make u raise. He'd
got 90 used to blating everything out
that way, that he couldn't help telling
everybody, and among others he told
Tommy Hawkes..
You don't know Tommy, | reckon
One OF the fellows you'd like to have
ct your elbow in big fight on the
plains, and the hspWest chum in Il
mining camp you ever SAW. Full OF
his tricks, too; hui they were full OF
fun, snd We always took them as such.
Now we all knew that Eva liked Tom
my best Of any OF the boys, and the
idea OF Jack Fenton getting her away
from, him was enough to awake merri
ment in the ribs OF death; for Hawkes.
was as straight as a sapllng, with a
handsome face, and an eye like an ca
gle. ,s
Tommy looked hard at Jack when
be told him, and drew Il long breath.
=" know that the girls can't resist
you, jack" he said shut are you
s,re about thisr
"Sure!a sAint L going to see her
this very evening, and hear her sing
asd playi"
"Do yOu know old man Fern,
Jack 7" said Tommy, in solemn tone.
mo-, said Jack, startled by his
looks. "Whyi,--
because he's crazy, and il he takes
oae of his fits while you are in the
house, he'll have yoar scaip, sure.
You just keep an eye on him, and if
he starts :or yon, get cut of the house
IS quick as yoa can"
:" I'll watch him." said Jack. "Cra-
ny, ehi You don't s'pose it is in the
family, do you, Tommy u
Madness is generally hereditary
said Tommy. ITO tell you the truth,
one reason don't go there more is
because can't tell what the old man
mag do"
SO Jack went down to FERNS rancho
that night, bat he didn't feel easy.
What Tommy had said rau iu HIS mind
continually, and he was talking about
it to himself all along the road, and
thinking what he had better do. On
thu road Ne met Mr.. Fern, whom he
had seen, but was never introduced To,
and tho, old,man looked at him sour
enough, tell You.
ITS coming on Jack thought.
A man would never look like that
unless he was mad. I'm mighty glad
he amt going TO stay in the house,
He found Eva waiting for him ip an
Old Fashioned room, with large fire.
place, in which he polished and iruis
shone like gold, She was pretty
girl, and Jack was more than ever
satisfied that he would marry her /;
but that thought OF the old mans
madness would come into his mind in
spite OF himself. Eva was very pleas
ant to him. but she seemed to be wait.
ing for something, too; and just as
JACK was drawing his chair close to
heF, and was going to add the finish.
ing srasee to ms folly by asking her to
nnrry him-probably she would have
slapped his face-the door opened and
Tommy Hawkes. rushed in, with look
of borror on his conntenance.