Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-09-25
AUSTIN MOWER COUNTY, MINNESOTA

MOWER COU
1t was my forethought like that that made
my fortune; for I've been worth fortune
in my time, though now I'm only packer.
| We'll, Blevins went round one path and
come into town with my best wagon and l
| took theother and como in tho other side, and
put up my mules and strolled along, kind of
careless, yet with en- object, until I came
down by the river, and there see q gal
a-fishing. Well, sir, that gal was built to
inspire admiration, think. I reckon her
arm was as big round AZ my ley, and con-
slider that she had tho form Of Venus if q
Venus is what I've heard represented. She
was a'sitting ON a rock a-fishin9, in straw
hat and a calico gown; and a. ;sho heard me
coming she turned her neck, and do say
she had the neck Of q swan. Well, l began
Pretty miss says l, what may have been
Well, she sand she hadn't caught nothing.
Then I asked her where she come from, for
You see I've Travelled about everywhere,
until could represent myself to be from
any place chose. was cosmopolitan !;
that's what was the matter with me. Well,
she kept bobbling up and down as she
talked, for the 6sh sthey snibbled bat
wouldn't bite, md she nd she was nom
Missouri. Well, I can talk Missouri first
rate, for really, now, Missouri is Just u Ian
guage by itself, and no mistake Well, she
told me where she come from; and told
her that hailed from the county next to
hers, and still she didn't get no fish. Then
says L: Pray Miss, can't I be of no as
sistance to your And then she laughed
and said Yes;' aud took the line, but I
couldn't catch nothing. And we both
b0bbed up aud down, and converted and I
began to think never had seen more
imposing female, or ono who would suit me
better. And told her Ghe had impressed
me favorable, and said Iswas worth q
good deal, and that I was wll&tliag to marry
and settle down, and was looking out for =
wife, if could find one 10 suit. She SEEM
ed kind of PLEASED ct the idea, aud that
emboldencd: me for to putin arm about
her waist. Then she sort of turned and
put her head upon my shoulder, and sogot
her arm little behind me; and then, cir,
N It female puzzled ont little with one; of
them handsan pitched me clean into the
Well, was pretty wet, you dan just bet
Your pile; but I got ont tbs best way
eonld and I went back to- whore put up.
Blevins, he sec me and he says: well,
where have You been, English?' says he.
Ny mule lay down in the WATER says I,
Well, that was lie, and hs knew it, for
my mule, Gentle Annie, abe never rolled
none her own fanlt being buoking, viii Oh
she was bad On. ."
We'll, says Blevins, 'Gentle Annie has
got dry quicker'n you have, any way
8 Don't yoa believe pae, Bleyins?' says I.
'Oh! of COURSE says he Shnd then he
laughed inmy face..s Well, Lgot up and
went to the house, and took dinner; and 1
went up stairs, and I tell you felt pretty
mad. But smoked i little, and evening
come on, and began to feel more in har-
mony with Natur,' As it wore 3 and I was
just getting peaceful when up there drove
covered wagon, very slow, and I heard a
kind OF tittering inside, and pretty soon
Blevins he stuck his head out and calls to
me
I say, English, how did you like your
cold water bath - Then some ono inside
set up an ALFRED laughing, and / just
snatched up my revolver aud went for that
wagon. couldn't catch up with it, no
way. But there sat Blevins aud that Mis-
souri, gal -deriding Of me together. And
what made it worse was that it was my best
wagon and my incest mules, including that
buoking devil, Gentle Annie.
Well, if was virulent Before, L was
worse now, AMI just lay around for
Blevins, moro in sorrow than in anger. for
it did seem too low-lived in fellow, that
had done so much for to 20 back ON me that
way. By and by I saw Blevins come along
free and smiling but he kept ono hand be-
hind him on his holster.
We'll, old fellow says he, that was 1
pretty good joke 'Joke p says I, don't
want any more such jokes, Mr.. Blevins.
You amt no appreciation of what consti-
tutes joke And I stepped forward to
meet him.
Keep back says he, 'or take the oonse-
quences. 'Blevins,' says l, you have hurt
my feelings. I amt going to hurt You.
Don't be afraid none. Only when my feel.
ings is hurt I broods.' SO does hen,'
said Blevins. And there the matter rested
for while: He was several days there !;
and that Missouri gal wouldn't have moth
ing, Whatsoever to say to me for some
time, while Blevins was round with her al
together.
We'll was mighty struck with her,
can tell you, and 1 didn't like her conduct
over much but wasn't going to lot her
sec that, but just kept quiet, hoping she'd
come round.
And she did come round, I toll YOU; and
it was about tho uulnckicst thing for me
that ever happened. She looked on me one
day, when l passed her, with friendly
smile, which observed.
Il hope you don't bear no malice,' saws ].
Lord, no. says she. why should II,
and then she laughed. well, Pm glad of
that says I, for from the minute I see you
I felt drawn toward you.' Nov you're
beginning again. says che, and then she
laughed again. Well, she seemed to be
kindly disposed, and accordingly offered
her my hand. She said she didn't 20 much
on mems talk whereupon proceeded nv
pocket-book, that held thousand dollars II
it held cent. There said, that's my
pile. Take it and buy yourself no end Of
dry goods. You are bustling woman, az
is fitting for the wife Of my bosom; 60 inst
take that money and lay it out as suits YOU.
She took the money finally, and took O
kiss; and felt Blevins was nowhere.
Well, sir, tho next day she and Blevins was
gone. The old folks cursed me, and j
cursed Blevins, and we was in about IA tn.
multuous condition o. you ever SEQ. Well
didn't say very much but knew Blevini
was as likely to go back on her Us on every,
body else who he had been connected with
About two days after, sho came back, and
in q pretty pitiable condition, you bet
Blevins had stole the money give her and
had left her. He was tho sharpost scouu
drel ever see, and that's tho truth. Well
if he was tumultuous before, what was he
now? The old man he was down on her
and the Old woman she was down On "a her
and there was a general bad feeling ali
around. She come to me and, tried L
rouse me for TO lay for Blevins; but didn',
care no more for her, and kept quiet and
wouldn't appear to understand nothing O.
what she said to me. But 1 waited IN,
time, and set ont after Blevins I'd solo
most of my animals at a pretty good price
but was bound to kill the cuss. Well, ]
started out, and l journeyed by day, but
couldn't find nothing of him for nigh ON t,
a week, when heard of Blevins being i,
, the mountains. Istsrted on his track AMI
cotchedIhim. Yes, sir, cotched him. I'll
was just sinking back through the bushe
and drawing his pistol; but was auicke
than he, and fired first l sec his hand fl,
up and his pistol go smashing down til
! side Of tho mountain, and heard his voic
! cry out Just once, and that was all. Jrush