San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-05-01


else. Helloa! yaadcr comes Parson
Briddla Light, parson. and examine
yo' saddle" he added, as the preacher
drew up at the gate.
The parson dismounted, and, with the
old man. followed the lovers into the
house.
.Is II possible" said the preacher, In
response to a declaration made by the
old squire, "that you cannot, even by
the most persuasive appeal to sentiment,
settle this extremely eccentric court
ship?"
"Can't do it, one way nor luther" the
old man Srejoined; and then, quickly
turning to the girl, he added. Judy. I've
got an idee."
"What Is It, paps"
"Well, it's this: Parson Briddle, here,
has seed good deal Of the world--w'y,
you've been way down In Robinson
county, haven't you, parson?"
"Yes," the parson answered proudly.
"Thar, now" continued the old man.
..he has even been way down in Robin
son county, and is, from the fack that
he has seen good deal of the world,
fair ledge of the good pi'nts in man; so
now, Judy, air you willin' to leave 1t to
the parson and take the one he picks
outr'
eyes, I'm willin'," the girl answered.
"Tm willin' too" Mark quickly spoke
I'D; "but wantto tell the parson right
now ef he decides agin me I'll whup him
till the folks will think he has been
chawed up and spit up by a threshin'
machine"
"And as fur me-" said Job, "Pm mon
delighted with the idee, but jest let me
say that eff he decides agin me I'll wallop
him till you'd have to get him together
with hay rake"
"Gentlemen," the parson remarked.
II shall render no decision. am very
we'll satisfied with my position in life.
my circuit is comparatively smooth, and
have pretty good horse; my salary is
tagging but the sisters have given me
ninety eight linsey shirts, and calico
handkcrchiefs enough to cover the Rock
of Ages; SO, taking it all into considera-
ton, do not care to be food for dys-
peptic thrashing machine, or to clog the
teeth of hay rake"
"Ah, Lawd," sighed the old man, "the
end amt no nearer in sight than it was
at fust. Judy, fetch out the Jug" he
added, as the preacher said something
In an undcrtone. "Now, boys" he con.
tinued, when the jug had been brought
"he'p yo'selves."
The boys being mighty partial toward
liquor, began to help themselves. The
old mar took few pulls and the parsoI
: dampencd his pucker, but the boys dranl
0 recklessly, and after while they wer'
: generously intoxicated.
Sob" said Mark, 'I'm the best frient
YOU ever had. You may have judy"
"Nlark," Job responded, "you amt M
better friend to me than am to you, 81
you take her"
!. "Won't do it; you've got to take her.
"No; you've got to-"
"Now, we can call on the parson t
decide" the old man delightfully."- ex
; claimed.
"That's what we can" said Mark. "Par
son, you pick out one of us to be the hus
band of Judy, here, an I want to say
right here that Jobs my friend, an tha
if you decide agin' him I'll larrup you til
. you'd run through SITTER"
"Parson, I'm in favor of your maxim {
decision" Job declared; land am vii
lin to leave it to your Judgment; but le
me tell you right now, parson, if you de
eide agin' Mark I'll whale you till all tha
is left of you would ooze through TOW
sack"
'Gentlemen," said the preacher, "as
lust now remarked, am not at all dis
pleased with my circuit / am ATTACHED
. to my ninety y-eight Iinsey shirts, and hav'
become smitten with my calico handker
chiefs. shall make no decision"
Mark and Job began to stretch them
; selves on the floor. "Let them sleep,
said the old man. "Ho, me-" he sighed
81 don't see no way outcn this trouble"
81 do" the preacher answered; "stel
outdoors with me-"
When they returned the old man said
"Judy, Il decision has been made. Yo,
must marry the preacher. Hold on, nov
don't fly off. He'd do better by you thai
any one of the boys. Why, jest think
he's got calico handkerchiefs enough Il
make more bedquilts than you coult
stuff into a hired mans appetite, ant
every woman in the community woult
> be-
"Petrified with envy" the parson sug
: gestcd.
, An expression of delighted resignation
shone on the girls face.
81 will make out the license and d.
the marryin' myself" said the old man
20 don't be skeered now; I'll fix TIN
; boys all right"
Mark awoke, and getting up, arouseC
Job. Squire" said Mark, 1--WE got I
; little too much Of your hcker. Wher
did you get ity'
THAT preacher that was here sent I
TO me tho other day"
"Wall, he knows what strong licke
is; don't he, Joby''
That's whut he do, Mark Job added
81 don't know how we air goin' 10 fix al
this love business"
sNcither do /. Where's JudyY
sits well you may ask whar she Is
when you driy' her of in that way" an
: swercd the old man.
"Who driv' her OFF, job exclaimed.
"why. you and Mark thar, when beg
: gc-d YOU not to drink 50 much. but yO'
didn't pay no attention TO me. You swOn
both Of you-that ef didn't stand al
here and marry Judy 70 the Preache
you'd kill all Of US, and jest had 10 d.
: il, and then you driv' the bride and groou
away. and you ought TO lie ashamed o
yO'selves--
~. II Il, ,.-,.f,pd sfieut sfttin,