Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-05-17
1T WAS SETTLED WITH BETTY.


After explaining that his son John
was threatened with IA breach of prom
ise suit and that the girl in the case
lived only half mile away and was
willing 10 be talked to, the old man
asked me TO 90 over with him and
witness his efforts 10 effect "A settle
ment. We found the girl at home,
also her father and mother. They
were all shelling corn in the kitchen,
aud Betty, as the girl was named,
looked anything but broken-hearted.
She was % years old, weighed 16j
pounds, and was inclined TO be senti-
mental. After greetings and a gener-
al introduction, my friend, whose
name was Jeremiah White, led off
with:
Now, then, thar hain't no use in
chasing rabbits all over the woods TO
find one in trap. Betty, you and
John hev busted up
"Yaas, but it hain't my fault, she
replied.
No, indeed" added the mother,
'He busted of his own accord"
Reckon he did" put in Betty's
father, as he laid down n half-shelled
ear to light his pipe.
When folks is courtin' they often
bust up" observed Jerry, as he got
comfortably seated. They git jeal-
GUS They git sick of each other.
They git out of sorts. Mebbe one has
bad breath
"Yaas, Jerry, I'm foIIerin' ye, said
Betty's father.
And when they bust up the best
way is TO be sensible. John don't
want no row with Betty, and Betty
don't want no row with John. =
No more | don't murmured the
fair one.
John isn't fitten for you, Bet. He's
all for nevis and whiskey and tobac-
co and fighting; and you is all for po-
etry and stars and clouds and flowers.
You is too high-souled for John. "
"Shuck my hide if that hain't so, >
exclaimed Bettys father, as he whack
ed the edge of the tub with II big ear
Of corn.
Betty simpered and giggled, and
the mother looked pleased.
That's why you busted, " softly ex-
planned my friend. Had to come.
Couldn't help it. When one is too
good for t'other bust always comes.
Say, Betty, couldn't sleep last night
for thinking of that verse you wrote
for my old woman when she was sick
last year. I'll bet repeated it over
thousand times"
"Oh, la! Mr.. White"' giggled Betty.
"Yaas, it run in my head till | could
not sleep. | kept saying:
"Old Mrs. White is very sick.
And mebbe she will die;
Although to save her from the grave
The doctor he will try"
"Ah, Betty. if ! could write sich po-
etry as that / wouldn't be sloshing
around here great while, and you
can jigger TO THAR
Honest Injung' she asked, holding
an ear of corn in either hand.
Dead sure. And now, Betty, being
as you war too good for John and be
ing as you've busted up, I'm going TO
send you over them two black hogs
and six geese "a a present"
lis it for her wounded feelings?" in
quired Betty father
kinder that way and kinder be-
cause she's so good.
Bets cried heap, and she's lost
lots of time, put in the mother, and
you'd better throw in that ar pea
cock"
burned if ! don't Hammer! He's
the incest bird in the country, and a
peddler offered me SO for him, but
chuck my hide if don't throw him
i'm
Then / won't sue, " said Betty.
mo. she won't, added the father.
Then it's all settled befo' this gent,
who is the witness" continued Mr..
White. I'm glad on it. It's the
proper way. When folks love and
bust up, as they sometimes will, thar's
a proper way to settle damages. We
have settled, and III send the stuff
right over, and Bet will be free TO
make up to that feller who is selling
tanning mills up at the corners, and
who'll be down this way tomorrow.