Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-12
DOMINICK'S COURTSHlP.
It Suited Him, Though It Didn't
Please Mrs. DObson.

I
his last load of hay, formed a resolution
and uttered it, although the words were
rather a remark than a declaration, for
what he said was
~ hadn't ought to be single"
he had been making an estimate Of his
possessions-of his money in the bank. his
acres, the corn and hay and apples and
cider IN the barn, the cattle and horses tha,
were his own-and he had decided that he
was too rich to be a bachelor.
| He did not adore those beings Of whom
some people speak of as "the ladies, Others
as "lovely woman" and others stiIl az
''wlmmen folks" but he knew that If there
was a Mrs. Partridge he should be much
more comfortable, should take a new posi-
ton as married man, and doubtless find
himself at the end of his days with some
one 10 inherit his property, a son TO take the
trouble of of his hands in his old age and "a
be second Dominick Partridge Therefore
Mr.. Partridge, sole Of that name at the mo-
ment, remarked: "I hadn't ought to be
SINGLE" and began to call up before his
minds eye list of the marriageable ladies
OF Lockslie. There was the Widow Bur.
rouRhs, too fat and very lazy the Widow
Green, the most suitable partner for a mid
dle-aged man; but Dunno as could stand
It," SAID Mr.. Partridge. Miss Spicer was
Prudie, silly and an old coquette The min
ister's sister was cast-iron dignity and
frozen elegance combined, but she would
stop his pipe, his holiday glass, his circus
going, his wearing of old clothes, and DOING
as he pleased. Who was there besidesl
A sudden thought came into his mind and
he laughed.
why shouldn't marry for lovel" he said,
under his breath.
Simon, who had managed his affairs for
many day, and, while supposed to be
hired man, was actually master, sat in the
hay beside Mr.. Partridge, like an old Jack
daw In an immense nest, and watched him.
he saw his checks flush a soft, wintry
apple red, and heard him laugh little fool
tsh laugh to himself.
''I'll bet a coo6ey know what Won was n
thinkin' OF, Mr.. Partridge" he said.
"rll bet another you don't, ST." said his
master
You was thinkin' of gettin' married, ,,
said 81. There, nowp'
II wasn't exactly" responded Mr. Part
ridge; "but Twas thlnkin' of thinkin' about
it."
"Comes to the same thing, SIR" said 81.
comes to the same thing was turnin'
1t over in my mind You'd orter hev nice.
pretty wife in your big house. And hey
the parlor fixed up, and a melodeon and
softy bottomcd cheers, and a chany lamn.
and lace cuttings, like they do up to the
sQuire's, and your portrait and hern To
match, framed. Shed know. That's only a
kinder outline. And should sort o, take
more airs when drove you to meetin'. It's
all very well to be keerless, rampapeous
bachelors when you're young, but when
you re settlin' dow n there's more reouired
Your fifty fourth of next November. and I
was fourteen when you was born. We'd
orter settle"
"But, ST." thoughtfully responded Mr..
Partridge. 'I was thinking this, Simon.
Out OF the fryin' pan into the fire. Sun
pose was to get tartar. Middle-aeed
women get pretty cross sometimes. Peace
Is comfort, anyhow. But to be ordered
round, and flung at, and asked why YOU
don'tP and told she said so.' like nv Door
brother Ike was in his wife's lifetime, amt
pleasant"
Don't take one Of that kind" said Simon.
with an air Of great experience. "Where
you'd orter go is up to the squire's."
"Think sol" asked Mr.. Partridge. with
the winter apple flush all over his face this
time. 'Think so, Sil'
$50 do yoU!" said Simon, looking at his
master Rich folks like you can chooses
You dress up and you look quite present
able yet. The Partridges amt never been
called humly. Why, your cousin Bee was
called the handsomest gal in the county at
seventeen"
'She was, too" interpolated Mr.. Part
ridge.
II used to see you sneakin' arter her IN
the lane, there" said Simon, land thought
you'd make pretty pair. But she gave
you the mitten."
80 she did, Simon," assented Mr.. Part
ridge.
"And got nicely paid for it,n said Simon
with chuckle. "She's regretted II MANY
a day. Her husband ran of. and sheis
housekeeper to the squire. Yes, she's sorry
she's sorry"
Think SO, simoni" asked Mr. Partridge,
turning red again.
"Of COURSE" said Simon. snow YOU GOT
through hayin', leave things to me, and 90
up to the squire's TO spend week. Yon'1
see 'em all There's Bella, kinder slim and
olack-eyed; and Flossy, she's pink and
white, and yellow-haired; and Myra, her
eyes are gray, and her hair pale brown. and
some call her queen-like. You've got a
choice, and pretty as they are, they haven't
cot beau amongst 'em. This is a moor
pace Ior young men, and every body knows
mrs. Dooson wants to marry 'em Off"
"Hiln cried Mr.. Partridge, suddenly. in
the voice he would have used to a cow who
had broken into corntield ''hil Si Mllet:
where you goin'l'
"Eh" CALCULATED Simon.
You mean for me to marry one OF tha
squire's little galsr'
Most suitable match know for We
Partridge family IS good one, and you're
rich man." said ST. '.Shol what,a a vear
or TWO on mans side when he's as fore
handed as youi Go over to Dobson's. I
says but you can take your own course
you mostly do---aHd you mostly regret it.n
With these words the old hired man
slipped to the ground on one side. as his
master vanished on the other, and the yvorl.
OF housing the hay commenced.
However, on the next Monday Mr.. Part.
ridge, dressed with scrupulous nicety. and
locking extremely well, took the train for
the next station, and appeared at SQUIRE
Dobson's with nsat portmanteau in his
hand, and WAS received with open arms by
/ host and hostess, to whom he had written tn
apprise them Of his coming.
Out in the arbor under the big wistaria
\ three young girls clung together, with
little chirps and twitters, like so many
frightened 5s-Flcssy with the golden
nair, Myra with the brown, and brunette
! Bella.
: "Can it bea'' whispered F1essy.
"Say it isn't true,'' sobbed Myra.
Its trae, and an awful shame, - sighed
Bella THAT man. only FIVE years younger
than pa, has come here TO court one Of ~.
and ma wants him TO- Ma says II would be
. great thing for one ofus, because he IS
Flch. What good would il be 70 be richl