Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-06-19

time is a good deal like a book agent.
not easily daunted.
He turned his thoughts, however,
away from the ungrateful widows, who
stood so in their own light, and deter
mined TO take young wife. who would
last out his lifetime. His BOYS had
followed Horace Greeley's advice. the
day they came of age. and gone West
and "money wouldn't tempt them
they said, Ito come back, and live with
the old man." So there was nobody
near to say him nay about this business
of taking n young girl for wife. May
be they wouldn't get SO big slice out of
the old place, as they looked for" he
thought, with chuckle.
Stephen foddered the cattle, and
stuck the pitchfork up under the barn
stairs. and then he paused for a minute
in the barn door, picking his few re-
naming teeth with stem of herds
grass. 1t was merely a habit he had
when in = meditative mood. His
minds eye swept the field of his ac-
quaintance far and near. and finally
paused with n suddenness which he
considered almost an inspiration. A
smile, such as it was. lighted his with
cred face and cleaned out from under
his shaggy brows.
If pretty Rosanna Morris could have
seen that smile. so ;lattering to her, as
she came in singing from the milking
shed. l wonder if it would have quick
ened her pulses by a beat. But she
strained her milk in happy unconscious
ness of the golden chance opening be-
fore her.
If"Aunt Lura'sh consent could first be
gained. Stephen felt he should have as
good as nine points of the case on his
side. He knew such a stirring woman
generally carried things her own way,
in doors and out. If she was willing TO
spare the girl, he was more than will
ing to take her off her Uncle Andrews
hands, for better or worse. OF course.
he knew there was a risk. She might
be little Tightly and extravagant at
first. but the good man had unlimited
faith in the power of precept ding
donged hourly into even the giddiest
head.
There was much surprised tittering.
out in Aunt Lura's kitchen. over the long
mother was having with
" Uncle Steve in the north room.
I'D give something to know which
of you girls it is" said that teazing Hal.
" Or has he come for mother. to speak a
good word to some widows she knows
at the Branch"
Hal grew suddenly anxious, as he
spoke, for book in the library. at the
end of the wide hall; and. of course,
his slippered feet would disturb no.
body. He might as well get it as not
Just then Stephen was saying to Mrs.
Andrews:
Its likely she may feel kinder lone
some. at first; but she'll soon get inter-
ested in her work. and there'll be plenty
Of it to take up her time. shall al
ways be about home to chirk her up.
There is one thing might as well speak
Of" he added, fidgeting with his hat;
% never was no great hand for CON-
pany, especially at meal-time. Store !
lea is dreadful dear. and company hem
iers good'eel. But then. as l said,
ROsanner needn't never feel lonesome,
Tor shall always be about the place,
and she can blow the dinner-horn any
lime she wants me-"
The book-hunter lifted his eyebrows,
md puckered his mouth TO whistle; but
orudently refrained.
"When do YOU think she could /
asked the old man, eagerly.
''Well. hardly know what to say"
'eplied the puzzled aunt. "Girls al
ways must have such time fixing their
.lothes-"
"Oh, she needn't waste a minute over
hatr' broke in the lover. "There's
! whole bureau. full of my wives dress
IS and things. and she can have the
,ull of EN-"
Generous SOUL" thought the book
lunter. "Why doesn't he wear them
limself?'