The Red Cloud chief., 1889-03-22

"Maria, l am twenty-six years Oii. ;.ul
YOU well, IL YOU were a man you coal
vote. Now don't let's be children any longcr
We are at odds and acting foolish only u,
cause ! am not candid with you. Don't crl
another tear, but come and sit by me-"
She went gladly TO the chair ne indicated
dOcile always when he chose to b. serious
"fOu see. Maria, q fellow likes to In
thought well of. He don't want Ia anuouuc.
TO the world. nor to his wife, since both cou
cede him To be young, strong gifted, edu
Gated. prosperous, that he failed miscrably
in his 6Oastei profession. and that he nov
gets only SIS per week. II sounds anoma
lous. II reflects on his capacity. 1t lower.
his standard. It's far pleaSanter To b
thought pOckefing big fees, and TO be looked
upon as the possible guiding spirit in some
stupendous public scheme, isn't itf'
Il suppose So"
"A fellow in college has plenty Of time q
initiate himself. It's only after experience
has puncturcd the wind bag that II il pos.
sible 70 know its true sizs or carryirS
capacity. Since / graduated the world has
heard nc voice from me except that OF
escaping gas. You and the friends in
Clover-camp thought il tho music Of the
spheres. In Chicago they call me . blow
hard It's vulgar, but it's pretty near the
truth, I guess"
10. John"
why, Maria. thought I Wa . great
man: I didn't deceive YOU any more than I
did myself. Thought the whole world was
waiting for me and that I could pick up
riches with one ficxilc condcscension OF my
spine. had only to stoop-so. Raily. and I
had . pocket full. But the world wasn't
waiting-l had TO scramble hard for my els
per week place-precarious ~ that"
"Why didn't you tell me, ohnr'
II was my own dupa and in my ~egreGious
vanity I dragged along with me you. my
little winsome country sweetheart You
affairs, didn't you, Msriar
Il believe We, you will be. John. I an
sure you will"
IL ought to be TO justify your faith. bu; I
never shall. am Just IN ordinary. CON-
mon place fellow. well and hearty, and
deucedly-yes, deucedly poor"
"ButJohn-don't you practice-law."
"AariA. never had . client ] do odd
jobs whenever I can. TO exc out my scant
wages. I'm in debt and tust manage 70
keep soul o body together"
1t took many minute for Maria 20 adjust
herself to tins confession.
why didn'. you tell mer' WAS al tha
she could say.
Il have often thought 10 We had . little
homecver 50 little, il wouid be moro Ike
living"
o. John. that's what I say. cvcr 30 littlc.
out on the praire-any where. e1crps in
this coopy. dinSy little room and with these
drosdfully commoa peopleA l could econo-
mine there know I could. You can set
such beautiful bargains in tin things. and
china IL 80 cheap"
% but there's 40 chance! cou,dn'S
rent . dry-cccds box. much less bay one.
And IL I could we'd have 70 live Ia the Gran
mics with the mice for I couldn't furnish liz
But papa could. and he would. too. You
know be said on our wedding dAy. when Ne
were ready 70 live in . good. sensiole. old
fssAiooed ~ be would help ~ IN write
him this very day"
And she did; and the plain Old country
squire came 70 the city. roAmcd thrvuGh
the sub1rbA bouxh. . little Queen Aaue
d~cve-ccte. and settled his bird o! Q dsuxh:er
and his promisinE but in~pecuaiccs sooIn-
Law 10 Il. feeling greatly relieved - know
they had . homo
h furnishing nA6e e1iA dayp for Maria
and when they were anally essahiishet JoAo
said:
-Yoa can ieep snooenss you nsov. NanA
II odd the esuss foe you aad what ve ssvs
BOW yin be for tAe heoeAs ct iAh -
whispsrsd--JoAa Skippine. Jr."
CIARA DoTY RAYH