Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-05-18

And his comrades agreed with him,
Alice Hamlin, installed as teacher OF
. tho cowboys, became n member of the
littlc household Of Old Man Nixon,
who assisted tho cook and "pottcrod"
about tho ranch, while his wife made
and mondcd for tho cowboys to tho
number of fifteen or twenty.
On pleasant days Alice accompanied
by "Mam' Nixon, kindly old soul,
would repair TO the lono tree, which, on
n slight elevation, commanded view of
the "cntrc line" There while MAN"
sewcd and marvoled Mt tho wisdom of
the girl and the dense ignorance of tho
cowboys, Alice swaycd the scoptcr of
learning. 1t was not long till all tho
cowboys on tho ranch were moro or
less constant attendants ut Alico's
school, and tho profound ignorance
displayed by the men who, before, had
not bocn considered lacking in intel
lcct, was simply appalling. The school
board, in special session. decided that,
in view of tho difficulty in instilling
learning into such phenomenal block
heads, the salary of tho little teacher
be doubled.
By the time the school had run few
months change had come over the
board of directors. They were -
longer communicative. There seemed
something continually on the mind of
each, and they regarded each other
with suspicion.
"Wal," remarked Long Ike, COM
muning with himself, "reckon know
what's the matter with the boys, an
hanged If | blame 'cml Prairie air,
good cookin' an light work has done
wonders for her, an if thar any prct-
tier girl 'twixt this an anywhere, I'd
like mighty well to see her Ike, if
you was on'y-wal, you hnin't an that
settles it. Ike, yer an old fool; that's
what you air!'
"Wal,' he resumed, after pause,
"'ll jest take this matter by the tail,
so to speak, an pull hit into shape.
Ike, you ole fool, you're old enough to
wish the best man luck, an not kick
because you CANT git the prizc!'
Later, at Long lkc's call, the board
of directors met on business connected
with the school mistress, but not with
the school.
Boys" Ike began, abruptly "thar's
n Teller that don't like the way the
school runnin'. Wants"
"Who's the cuss?" cried the others,
wrathfully.
"Haint content to 90 to school one
term" went on Ike, "but wants to be
taken fer q life scholar. His name is
Stub, Ben, Sand and company"
In their astonishment the others for
got to ask who the company was,
and he did not tell them.
"Thc question is" Ike went on,
(Which one loves her the best, am
"Me! answered each one of the au-
dience.
"Wal, w'yn't t you brace up like men,
an each ask her for himself and abide
by the decision, stead NV scowlin' ut
each other like passel NV badgcrs?"
"Can't!' said Stub. sheepshly.
Same yerc!" followed Ben.
ME too!' added Sam.
".isk for MS, Ike" pleaded Stub.
As the little procession, consisting of
the school board, was on its way to old
man NiXon's house, n cowboy of
ncighboring ranch, on his way home
from town, reincd up his cayuse long
enough to hand Ike letter.
For yer school marm," he said.
"Soon's yer letter. read" began
Long Ike, when with his shecpish COM
rades he stood before the little teacher
cr. 1.-THE board has got sumpin' to say
to YOU"
Apologizing for keeping them wait
ing. she read the missive, and blush,
perhaps of happiness, tinted her
check.
Miss Alice" Long Ike began, "the
board wants to say that we reckon you
know that we've got yer happiness at
heart in every thing we do, am"
you have! Indeed you have!'
Alice cried.
"Yes, wal, hits jest this way. Thar's
n feller that wants you to take him as
n life scholar, am"
"Iiow did you know it?" cried the
girl.
"Oh, knowed. An l want to say
that the boys has greed to bide by yer
choice an pleased at it. They"
"Oh, / am so glad! But, then, you
can not help liking him! l waited for
more definite news before telling you.
But he says in this letter that he will
arrive here almost rs soon us it does,
an'-oh, / am so glad that you who
have been SO kind TO me, will welcome
himI'
To use popular expression, the eyes
of fMessrs. Stub. Ben and Sand "buggedn
out MS the truth dawned upon them,
and when, ten minutes later, Long Ike
turned from the little teacher to his
comrades they were nowhere to be
seen. He found them behind the sheds
and as Long Ike joined them the horny
palms of the four met.
Boys" Ike said, "thcy've b'n
awaitin' for each other three years.
Pore, CONS out yere to make her for
tune, without lettin' him know whur
she'd gone. When we raised her pay
she wrote him. He had good news to
send in return. Good payn' job.
Comm out yere to marry her, an
wal. ! reckon we're white!'
1--WE air!"
That was all.
Tho happiness of the little teacher
when her lover came was good to see.
And tho welcome of the school board
was as hasty MS iii none of them had as
spircd to be little Alice Hamlin's life
scholar
After the ceremony, at which n little
host of cowboys were present and
Preacher MoXie, of Jordan City, ofli-
ciated, Long Ike stepped before the
bride and groom.