Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-09-22

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, cause of the trouble. There was dance
over at Westfield Corners, as it was
called, and Anna was determined to 60
with her lover, Richard Landon, and
her father was determined she should go
with city cousin who was visiting them,
in their own carriage. And if he could
have seen letter from Richard, which
was snugly hidden in Annals pocket, he
might have been more determined than
he was.
Father, you never once objected to
Richard till you had that dispute with
his father about the land" said Anna.
"Maybe not,'' replied Gracey,
Strengthening up his tall figure; =" but
I've vowed since to have nothing to do
with the whole set of Landons. Like
father, like son. Nobody knows how
Richards going to turn out. I've made
up my mind l won't have him poking
round here any longer
"But, father, we had your consent
once"
"Don't care if you did. take it back,
that's all. Now, there's your Cousin
Tom wants you as bad as Richard does;
why can't you take him, like sensible
girl, and be satisfied"
Father, nobody thinks much of
Thomas Wildly but you. don't believe
half the tales he tells about being SO
well off. Inever will marry him, l tell
you"
.We'll see about that. As to this
dance tonight, you can either let Tom
drive you over, or you stay at home"
1t was on Annals lips to say she
would stay at home; but Richards plans
and pleadings spoke for him.
"I'd rather go with my cousin than
stay at home," she said quietly.
"yery well, then, YOU can co." said
the father.
Anna turned and left the room, but
there was something in her air all the
morning which made the old gentleman
very suspicious. So at dinner he re-
marked:
81 believe I'll ride over to the Cor
ners and see the young people frolic to-
night. l reckon they won't turn me
out if don't dance myself, and have
not seen a young folks party these twen-
ty years. Yes, l think I'll saddle old
Aleck and ride over.''
"Do, uncle! That will be jolly"
said Thomas Wildly, while into Annals |
face there stole look of blank conster-
nation, which did not escape Mr.. Gracey,
and he slyly chuckled to himself:
'.Ahai reckon I've snatched 'em this
time!"
But Annals wits were busy, too, while |
she was helping her mother wash the
dinner dishes. Suddenly, as they stood
putting away the last shining tins in the
tidy pantry, Anna caught her mother by
the shoulders, and said:
"Mother, have your consent to mar
~ Richard?"
"Yes, dear daughter. Richard is
worthy, We know"
"And you don't want to see me marry
Cousin Thomas?'
"Oh, Anna, had rather see you
dead,"
"Well, my dear little mother, don't
think I'll die, and know won t marry
cousin. But now, mother, III tell you
| secret. can trust youe"
"Yes, Anna"
swell, dear, Richard wrote to me to
meet him at the dance tonight. Then
We would slip away, go over to Westfield
md get married tomorrow morning.
What do you say, mother dear?''
The good little woman began to cry,
nut she said:
DO as you please, Anna; can't
lame you. The life your father leads
'oU is pretty hard, l know. But, oh,
Anna, your father is going to the Cor
lers!"
Yes, mother, on purpose TO watch
Is; so Richards plan won't work. But
have another one. l can count on !
our consent, dear, and a good word ;
With father afterwards
I" Yes. vest, sohhed the mother.