The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-07-02
HOW IT WAS FOUND OUT.
By ANNAH BILINsKI.


Clayford was an isolated little vii
Iage, almost destitute OF the intel
lectual activities that characterize
most inland villages OF it's size. It
had Its little old school-house, where
shockingly bad pedagogues held sway;
its blacksmith's shop; a store which
served the triple purpose OF supply
ing the farmers few needs, postotfice
and rendezvous OF nights for all the
loafers in the country, and a church.
These last two buildings were centers
OF attraction and pretty equally di-
ylded thehonors. The church society
was almost always in chronic state
OF eruption, but the deacons and an.
Gent pillars OF the gospel held stead
lastly to their course, and droned
their simple interpretations OF the
Scripture into the sleepy minds OF
the young, who, when they had pass.
ed beyond leading strings, invariably
went over to the merry crowd in
the store.
Despite this mental and spiritual
dearth it was fact that Clayford was
the home OF some very pretty and at
tractive young ladies, whatever else
might be said OF the young men. Per
haps the difference was traceable to
there being no alternative for the girls
from the harmless teachings OF the
church; and il their minds held little,
that little was not the rude immoral
lty OF the store curriculum. Be that
as 1t may, certainly dainty Matte
Crondit, queenly Helen Murrey and
her bonnie sister Kate were maidens
upon whom n connoisseur OF female
charms might have deigned to bestow
more than a passing glance.
1t was therefore the most natural
thing in the world that they should re-
ceive a great deal of admiration. from
the rudest, most roilicking boor
in the lot to the few, very few, up
right young men that Gaylord
possessed. These latter, notable ex-
ceptions to the rule, however, were in
such imminent danger OF being spoiled
by the homage lavished upon them by
mammas with marriayeable dauyt.-
ters, that at length it was dismally
whispered about ti.at they had be.
come so conceited that no girl in Clay
lord was considered good enough for
any one of them.
Now, if there was anything Clay.
lord as community exceled in, it
was gossip. It's proficiency in this
was not to be wondered lat, perhaps,
considering the fact that every family
worth considering at all was related
by natural ties or by marriage to
every other family; and it was perfect
ly natural that anything affecting one
individual was q matter ofinterest to
all the others; and so when Charley
Brouse-one Of the notable three or
four-entered the church on proba.
ton. it was n subject for widely -diffe.-
ant comment from every member OF
this heterogeneous family. The fra
ternity Mt the store loudly declared
that Charley Brouse never had known
how to be civil, and now he never
would know; while, on the othe- hand,
the church members set their sea, up.
on it that Charley Brouse was des-
tined for q great and shining career;
and in tins circle OF popular opinion
he became the bright particular
star" Long before his six months
probation was at an end, he was by
acclamation elected Superintendent OF
the Sabbath-school; and it was touch
ing to witness his sense OF unworthi-
ness, that would not permit him to
offer up prayer In the service while he
was only probationary dweller in
the sanctuary. More than ever, if
possible, mammas dotted upon him,
and stern fathers held him up to luck
less sons as q pattern Of excellence.
just previous to this event the
shrewde of Clayfords female gos-
sips had promulgated her firm belief
that "Charley Brouse had a kind of
hankering notion after Kate Murrey;
and as for Kate-la! she'd snap at the
chance, any mint" But her story
had not gained much credence, for
Kate had numerous beaux, such as
they were, and no one else had OBJ
served that he paid more attention to
her than to any OF the other pretty
girls. To be sure, Mrs. Wyndam
thought she had noticed some signs OF
preference for Kate on Charley's part;
but Mrs. Wyndam was always i'm
agining something that wasn't true as
her neighbors said, and what she
thought did not usually add much
weight to any current report.
However, as time wore on, these
"signs" became more apparent, and
she anxiety to learn just how matters
stood between the two became almost
an epidemic. Every inhabitant of
mature years had his or her private
reason for wishing to know. Parents
with eligible children considered posi-
ble future alliances with the Brouse or
Murrey family; youngladies alternate
" hoped and sighed, and their broth
ers mentally vowed to "make things
warm" Tor Charley Brousc.
At this juncture in affairs, which
threatened to become serious, Sab
bath.school picnic, the only public
amusement the church society ever in
dulged in, and to which even the store
sent its quota OF delegates, was held
In the forest skirting the bank of
the little lake. 1t was the event
Of the season, instituted each year
solely for the c'JJ7ren's benefit; and.
to the credit OF the elders be it con-
fessed, this holiday contributed not
little to their enjoyment-but the
keenest observer OF face would have
failed to detect shade OF any self.
sacrifice on the countenances uf the