Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-14
A Narrow Escape.

mill. several persons talking in excited
tones. He rode up to the mill. There
were, standing about an old man.
young fellow. an old woman and fat
girl.
WHATS the matter here?' the trav-
eler demanded.
"A good deal" the old man replies.
Eyes" snapped the old woman, "a
mighty heap. l tell you"
$50 much the matter" said the
girl, "that somebody's goin' ter git
hurt unless ever things made all
right" :,
.Tll tell you what's the matter"
the Young man declared. 81 came
along here some time ago and took
the position as head sawyer of this
mill, and now this old man and wo-
man, having taken such liking to me,
want me to marry their daughter. that
fat thing standing there.
"You made love to mel" the girl ex-
claimed.
Il did not"
yes, YOU d. You sidled up clost
to me last Sunday when pap an muir
had gone TO church an lowed that
had a putty hand. an then l told you
that you mout have it if you wanted
IL, an you sorter snickered and lowed
| that it was with the havin'. FL that
ain t maxim love ter a body. l don't
| know what is "
Its almost a marriage contrack,"
the old man declared.
Yes" exclaimed the old woman.
| /. 4. 4. 10
that tuck place when | was a gal. an
| don't think SIGH customs oughter be
changed"
81 don't know anything about your
customs" the young man replied, 'but
| do know that do not care anything
for the girl and that l did not have
any intention Of asking her to marry
me-.
Don't know nothn' about yo' in
tentions. said the girl but l do know
! that / offered you nv ham an that
you tuck it You may not love me
now. but you II larn ter, after while.
l love you. an wouldn't take nuthin'
fur YOU.
AN eff You think the old man ex-
claimed, addressing the young fellow.
that / am goin ter allow man ter
come along here an tromp all over my
daughters affect ons, you air might ~
mistaken. Come. now, make up yo'
mind; you either ergree ter marry right
now. or we'll take you to Jail. an frum
thar the sympathizn citizens NV this
county will see that you go to the PEN
itentiary for life.
.'Can on not help me in some wayp"
| Mo obal tho vnnnn falloW limo IN
the traveller
IL don't think that l can. l see no
way"
except marriage" the old man broke
in"
I'D rather die the young man
groaned
Wall" the old man replied, Il
reckon in this free country n man has
right TO take his choice"
ale shan's die. He's got ter be my
own true loved oner' the girl ex.
claimed.
"Will you please grant me few
words in private with the young
man?" the traveller asked, addressing
the old fellow.
''Yes. but mind YOU. if ne tries ter
run away it S good bye ter him.
HE will not try to run away" the
traveller replied. Come this way and
let me talk tn you moment"
They held a whispered conversation
and then returned.
IL understand. said the raveler,
'that this is strict prohibition COM
munity."
IT ghter'n wax" the old man re.
piled.
Wouldn't you like to have some
liquorP"
''Better'n anything"
al have here in my saddlebags two
quarts of the finest rye juice you ever
saw"
my mouth waterin'."
The traveller took out bottle.
Now" said he, 'let this young fellow
go and I'll give YOU the two bottles. I"
'Whut do you say. mother?" the
old man asked.
"Wall." the old woman replied.
I'D like nightly ter have the ticker,
but its our duty as tender hearted par
ents ter see that our daughter is well
married.
Eyes. l know that. but husbands air
easier ter GIT round here than Ticker
is"
Yes, that's a fack "
''But hold onr' exclaimed the girl,
1--WE got something ter say. 1 don't
kere nuthin' fur the Ticker"
Nov. thar is a Stun bl block" the
old man. in a rueful vo ce. declared.
But say, Liza, KANT We Tx it un
with YOU some way?"
Don't know Nv none
''How would YOU like ter have n
new caliker coatp"
Like Peggy Stoveal's. all kivered
with red and yaller spots?' the girl
excitedly asked.
"Yes"
mighty we'll"
''Ef QUILL give up this Teller I'll Git
you the coat"
1T don't pear like IT'S hardly
enough. pap"
"Wall. then. I'll fling in plug NV
| black tprbackerr