The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-04
FABLE THE SEVENTH.

u think, Tom Blackthorn, 'twere
about time you thought of settling that
there two hundred pound-or it'll be a
:rifle over by now
So had Farmer Marrish gently insinu-
ated some month or so after Stephen
Harlow's pocket-book had 'been re-
turned.
Two hundred pounds? Why, L
don't owe you 4 stick nor a-straw."
That depends on the market price
of sticks and straws, / reckon. But
nan can't afford to stay out of stick,
these hard times"
but Prestons of Millport-"
Twas all humbug about Prestons
of Millport, Tom Blackthorn- flash
and CANNON, every word. I've writ
ten to 'em myself; and It's because of
their answer I'm here to-day. And
there it is-just No Co."
And certainly the letter Farmer Black
torn read was curt enough that their
former clerk, Mr.. Harlow, had COM
n.unicated with them on the subject.
hut that under the circumstances they
did not choose further to entertain the
matter. 1t was. in short, No Go.
1t was terrible blow 10 a sanguine
man, who fancied that everything had
been settled in day.
IF ever | catch hold of that Internal,
ungrateful villain. Stephen Harlow he
burst out, crumpling the letter in his
hand.
so" said Enoch Narrish. quietly
but firmly, ''thingS are left just as they
were. You'd better have taken plain
mans cacr AZ first, farmer. after ali"
".Ay-I remember an uncommon
plain man offering to turn me out of
house and home"
"No, no.
"But yes. yes, 1 say But I deserve
it. Once, for going begging to my own
father-in-law; and twice, for trusting to
drunken blackguard's Internal, I'M
grateful spawn. There, Marrish. Say
the word. When am to go?'
Come, don't be so hot, farmer.
There's no need to fly out at a man be-
cause he wants his own. Out of house
and home! 'Twasn't Legs Croft l was
after, if you rightly mind"
"What then?'
Patience Blackthorn."
The two farmers sat and looked at
one apother without speaking. And
yet there was bargain, the old bargain.
going on between them as surely as if
they were in full market chatter. That
EnOch, the miSer. should want a wife in
stead of the best farm in all the country
beat Tom Blackthorn. True, the wife
he wanted was Patience; but a wife is
wife. and costs something for her keep,
whoever she may be.
You'll take my girl without pen
ny?" he asked, at last.
.'Ay; and have the best of the bar
gain"
mo doubt; if you was Young man.
You'd look to come in for Legs Croft
sitter I'm gone; but I'm a ten times
heartier MIN than you ever were"
''Mayn't a chap be in love, Tom
Blackthorn? Didn't such a thing ever
happen to you?'
''Ay. Such a thing has happened to
me. Well-love does play tricks;
though I'd have thought he'd sooner
play tricks on hurdle-poSt than on
you"
The day 1 marry Patience" said
Marrish, that mortgage goes into the
fire; ay, and I'll let you have a thou
sand without interest, and no better Sc
curitv than your own word"
Harder and harder Farmer Black
thorn stared. But there sat the other
rugged and uncouth, indeed, but utter
ly in earneSt-anybOdy with eyes and
ears could see that, though how much
in earnest none could have seen. But
something else tugged at Tom Black
thorn'S heart-Strings. She was not to
him what his only son would have
been; but she was his only girl No,
no, neighbor," said he. You're kind
at the core, and I'm sorry if you care
for the lass -but. no, no, it won't do"
A glow came into Enoch's eyes.
you don't mean to tell me she's still
fretting about that"
That internal, ungrateful viper?
What do You mean? Patience Black
thorn fretting after the spawn of a
drunken blacksmith? But l beg your
pardon, MarriSh. 'Tisn't likely you'd
understand the B.ackthorn pride"
No sting touched the man who had
but two ideas-what he wanted, and
how 10 get it, late or soon.
Then" said he, IF Patience says
ay, you won't say nay?"
"Ah, but she won't say ay."
But if? Only it-that's alp"
IF she says ay-well, neighbor. all
my notions of womankind would be
turned upside down.
Tom B!ackthorn was perfectly SIN
cere in believing himself to be sincere.
He did think that a girl must have a
pretty large throat before she could
contriye to swallow old Enoch Marrish.
even with all his money-bags to send
him down. But if she only could it
would be great thing. For, thanks
(as he held) to the treachery of Stephen
ruin stared him full in the face
again.
Patience" said ne, after supper,
when he usually chatted for half an
hour or so over the events of the day
and tumbler. '.Enoch Marrish has
been over"
Yes, father" she asked. feigning
more interest than she could feel. If
he had SAID the Prince of Wales had
been at Legs Croft it would have been
the same
"Marrish isn't n bad fellow, Pa
thence. Hes rough to look at, but he's
stanch and sound. And he's really an
uncommonly fine young man for his
age"
He thought he was leading up to
things with the most delicate tact in
the world; and he also thought he was
making no attempt to bias her But !
she only thought he was testing; and |
that was good thing, for his jests had !
of late been rare.