Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-10-27
A GIRLS PROMISE

"And you propose 10 stand by what
you say. siry"
Exactly. George"
Then silence fell between the two
men for few moments.
II was the old stOry-the useless De
titiOn OF pOverty.striCken youth asking
Of wealthy old age the hand of beauty.
George Stanley had loved pretty
Esther Dana from his childhood up,
and Esther had returned his love i'm
full measure, but when the decisive
moment came and he asked rich old
Farmer John for his daughter then he
was told that he was too poor TO be
aspiring.
After staring for awhile in dumb
despair at the Manufactured farmer as
he sat In his easy chair by the sunny
window, George plucked up courage to
ask:
"And is my poverty the only thing
you have TO owning me as "a sOn-in-
lawP"
That's about the long and short Of
it, my boy" was the prompt reply.
Il had tO make a nest before caught
my bird, and / don't quite see why
other men should not do the same"
"Quite right, sin" said the young
man Frightening up little, "but may
| ask how wealthy must be before /
can propose for Esther2"
Farmer John stroked his chin with
"a smile playing about his weather
beaten features, and drawing from his
pocket an envelope which contained a
Que hundred dollar bill. the price of
some land which had Leen sold that
day he displayed the crisp note.
"Wheu you can show 100 greenbacks
like that I'll part with my daughter"
"All right, good bye"
"Where are you goingY'
"West."
God bless you. Good bye"
And so they parted. and so lightly
did the old man think of his harsh
treatment. that listening to the drone
OF the honey bee i'm the rose tree out
side he fell asleep, his arm resting upon
the window sill. the envelope contain
ing the 900 bill in his hand.
Meanwhile George had hurried TO the
trysting-place. down mt the style in the
meadow. and had told Esther his story.
When she heard that he was going
far away from her the girl burst into
tears.
Esther. Esther. don't cry. can't you
be true 20 me until come back?"
II cln and will," was the passionate
reply.
Promise itw
81 promise Il on my life"
The shades of the summer evening
were closing I'm rs George Stanley stood
AT the door of the cottage which had
been his home, and hell his mother in
his arms.
Scarcely were the last farewells spok-
en- when the garden gate changed and,
the constable of the village strobe up
the path.
George" the man said regretfully
II must arrest you"
Mrs. Stanley uttered low cry but
the young man laughed.
"ls this some Joke. Mr.. IIardyp" he
cried. "arrest me-for whatg"
"FOr theft"
Theft OF WHAT"
"Of n 800 bank note"
From whOmY"
Farmer Dana"
"Merciful Heavenl i"
"Nir. Dana says you are the only
person who knew he had the note II
his possession and that after you haG
called upon him he fell asleep, when hC
awoke the note was gone"
"Why should he accuse meY" the
young man cried Indignantly.
Because an hour after you left The
farm you purchased ticket for Nevads
with a 800 bill.
"But the money was nine"
"Ah, but Mr.. Dana has identified the
bill rs his. I'm afraid, George. you
must come TO the lookup with me un.
OIL you have an examination"
Like man he faced the disgrace
and was cool and dignifed until he
was dismissed on the following day,
the evidence against him not being Sc
rious enough TO condemn him.
So he went west with a heavy heart
to seek his fortune. knowing that out
of his life long friends Esther and his
mother alone deemed him guiltless of
the CALLING charge against his name and
honor.
a year went around. and it was al.
ready the springtime of another and
Esther prayed day and night for tbe
welfare OF her absent lover. The onlv
happy moments of her life were when
sne sat with the widow Stanley and
talked Of George. ""u
On, how happy the poor boy migb,
nave been could he have heard tboss
two women talk Of him and knowr o
the depth Of their trusting affection, T"
Returning one afternoon from an,
cottage Esther met her father unon ~ M
verander. 'i'''' ''''
Esther the old man said. II wan,
to speak with you. l have decided r.
overhaul the old house, furnish n ~, =
q bit and lay in a new stock OF fnrni
ture." 'Ni i'
Esther glanced up in surprise
II don't see the use Of IT," she 70
turned. ' 10