The Osceola times., 1883-08-04
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.
The Old Man Had Mare on the Brain and
He Had Marie.
Evansville Argue,

He Had Marie.
Evansville Argue.
Old Andrew Courtland is granger OF
peculiar qualities. He not only has a
pleasant home and good farm, but he is
famous for his fine breed of horses, and
not the least agreeable trait in his cha
racter is a very charming daughter nam
ed Mary.
Young Mark Kenworthy admired the
broad acres of his wealthy neighbor, COW
eted his horses and adored his daughter.
Mark is college bred, and prefers to
spell Mary in the French fashion, Marie.
Being strictly honorable young fellow
and having natural dislike to bulldogs,
shot-guns and surreptitious interviews
at the back gate, he resolved to get the
old man on his side as soon as he had
preached the subject TO the fair one.
So he wrote:
DEAR SIR: l have looked upon your
Marie for some time with longing eyes.
The greatest ambition of my life is to
possess her. viii you consent | feel
bound to add that even if you refuse ]
shall do all in my power to carry out my
intentions. Yours truly,
MARK KENwoRTHy.
This missive he dispatched by mess.
enger to Mr.. Courtland, with instructions
to wait for an answer.
"Cool as lizard" says the old man.
Guess he meant to steal her. Well, tell
him to come over tomorrow morning,
an I'll trot her out. Praps We can make
a DEAL
When Mark got the message he was
puzzled, but attributed it to Mr.. Court
lands horsey way of speaking, and was
well pleased.
The next morning he was down at the
farm betimes.
as she well this morning." asked
Mark, with a tender air, as he shook
hands with his host
First rate, Sweated bit after her
mornings work"
1T is rather hot weather." assented
Mark, with sigh of disgust.
That's so. But see here, amt so al
mighty sot on gcttin' rid on her, She's
clean in wind an limb, an sound as a
bell. barring scar on the off knee,
which she got skylarkin' in the stable
with Jim Bates"
"Eh-whatl Mr.. CORTLAND" SIAM
mered Mark. do you mean to say -
would you insinuate--is it possible
Lord man. don't look so scared. II
don't hurt her dollars worth. She's
none the worse for it. 1t was all done
in fun. She's the best tempered crea-
| turc in the country.
"A little wild, though, it seems" Mark
added, with an angry sneer on his lip.
$50 So She's young, you see; and as
| said before, she's free from vice, and If
that is the case you can do anything
with her"
There is something in that, Mark re-
piled gloomily. "Her youths in her ia
yor and she is uncommon handsome"
Handsome Bless her heart, you
may say so. Small head, fine stopping
nose. little cars. square chest, round quar-
tiers and legs as clear as a deer's."
Gracious gasped Mark. blushing at
the farmers poetical imagery.
"And now what do you propose offer
ing for herr
MY hand and heart and all my world
lv goods. My fortune is not great now,
bat | am industrious and sober. and
hope in time to be able to"
"See here, young man. don't like
chaffl 1t amt no fodder for cattle on
my farm. The question is, have you got
six hundred dollars?"
"Yes and twice six if need be. Do you
CONSENT"
II guess we can make deal. You're
o chap likes, an I'm glad she's going
into good hands,
Where is she?"
"Well YOU can 90 an lock at her if
you like. | told you she got uncommon
hot this morning-a little soft after the
change of spring diet. However you can
have a good look at her, for she's strip
ped, and they're rubbing her down with
a dry cloth"
Mister Courtlandp and Marks hair
stood on their ends with horror at his
proposition.
"Do YOU know what You are saying?"
"It's my belief Mark Kenworthy, as
you've been drinking. Jut come right
down TO business. Do you want the
horse or not?"
"horse" roared Mark, 81 want none of
your horses | came to propose for the
hand of your daughter
The old farmers jaw dropped.
Darn my buttons eff didn't think he
wanted my sorrel mare, an its only the
gal he's arter, Well, get thee along into
the house, lad, an ethe missus; she an
you can fix things up; an YOU can tell her
| see no objections why you an our Mary
shouldn't run in double harness if the
lass is willing"
Mark got on much better with the old
lady. He was favorate with her and his
mission ended successfully.
The wedding is fixed for the Fourth of
July.