Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-03
IN A DILEMMA.

IN A DILEMMA.
Mark Ramsey and Job Trotter were
often seen At the house Of old Squire FL
Dot. These visits were not due to any
regard Mark and Job may have had for
the squire, but were clearly traceable 70
the love which they bore his daughter
Judy. The two young men were %
much alike physically that they might
have been taken for twins. They were
tall, strong and well built; they were
black eyed and long haired. sunburned
and hardened by exposure to all sorts OF
hardships The resemblance even ex-
tended to mental peculiarities. Mark
did not know long division from short
comings; neither did Job. Mark, given
the freest exercise Of his arm, could not
with a charred chunk have written his
name on the gable end Of the barn;
neither could Job. Being so much alike
both physically and mentally. it was
small wonder that they loved Judy, who,
BY the way, was the handsomest girl in
the neighborhood.
She was more than merely handsome;
she was bright, quick to learn, and, fiat
tering gossip declared. could knit pair
Of yarn socks or snatch the feathers of q
chicken as quickly and as effectually a.
any girl in the community, regardless
Of educational advantages. Judy loved
Mark and Job, but she could not decide
which one she preferred. This inability
gave her great concern, and often at
night, while patching her fathers brown
Jeans, or at evening when crouched in tbs
slowly darkening gold of dying day,
milking the muly cow. she would shut
her eyes, bring up the faces Of her two
lovers, and attempt to force herself into
. decision, but in vain, for when the gold
Of evening had darkened into the char.
coal Of night, when old muly stood pa
tiently with one foot in the pail Of milk.
Judy's love remained in equal division
Old Filpot liked the boys, but, to have
saved his life, he could not have told
which one was his favorite. He was
| willing she should marry one of them, it
made no difference which, and he Sc
cretly wished that one Of them, still nc
matter which, would die, SO that the re.
manning one could make his daughter
happy
Neither one Of the young men was ever
able to see the girl alone, for they kept
SO close a watch upon each others move.
ments that one making his appearance al
the squire's house. was sure to be followed
Immediately by the other.
One morning, Just as the squire and
Judy had arisen from the breakfast table,
voices in the sitting room announced to
well accustomed ears the arrival of the
lovers. The old man and his daughter
went in. and, following long and worn
habit, cordially shook hands with the visi.
tors and babe them feel perfectly at home.
1--WE have come" said Mark, Ito see il
wecant sorter make some arrangements
That's what we have" Job put in.
~ want Judy" Mark added.
80 do L." said Job.
Il love her powerful" Mark observed.
II love her just about the same" Jot
declared.
Gentlemen said the squire, perplex
edly stroking his whiskers, II don't see
how we are going to manage this affair
Judy, don't you, arter all, love one just
little better than you do the other:'
81 believe do, pap" she answered.
Thar, we are gittin' at it. Now
which one is it?'
That's what KANT tell, pap"
| ssThar II ,roaa arosD nm s,,et
fur of as ever Mark, amt you got
nothin' to suggest"
Don't believe have. Job mout have
mo, haint. lessen it is that she mar
~ me an be done with it.
"Yas, and reckon can make SIGH Q
suggestion in favor Of myself" Mark re
piled, and then half musingly added
81 do wish this thing was over with fuI
l am behind with my crap an my farm,
runnin down, for have to watch Jot
SO close that
"Jest the same with me-" Job broke in
"Wall. now" said the old squire
"suthin has got to be did, and did a
once, fur I'm tired of this here feverish
condition. as the Teller says. | have
| Iltdii gran TAIN hDoul CtbsSM
like this that took place in the old timea
and they never failed to git at settle
ment somehow ruther. 1t mout have
been by a match of some sort-foot race
rasslin', or shootin'. l don't know ex
actly how. but near as l can ricollecL
the way gran daddy told it they allui
left it to be decided by some's periority
| that av, Lar Quar- ba othar
I'm NOR n within" Job declared.
what do you say, JUDY"
"Suits me-" the girl answered.
'All right" said the old man. ave
ken now begin to see our way c'lar; shall
it be rasslinT'
They agreed that it should be wrestling
and going out into the yard, gave them
selves up to the contest, but the fata
similarity again asserted itself, for the
young men We're Of equal strength and
agility. Then they tried foot racing
they were of equal speed; rifle shooting
they were of equal skill.
wall, this do beat. and beat it peart,
too, anything ever seed" the old squire
declared. "Spozen you fling up chip
wet or dry:'
Don't believe like that idea, fur il
only shows luck without superiority, >
Mark answered. How is 20 pulse
beatin' on that pint, Job.'
"Beatin' low down in the shade. fur
don't like the i1ee"
Wall. said the old man, lets 20 in
the hoSSe and set down; might as well
be restin' while we're thinkin' up suthin'
else. Helloa, Wander comes Parson
Briddle. Light, parson, and examine
20 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 it possible" said the preacher, In
response to declaration made by the
old squire, that you cannot, even by
the most persuasive appeal to sentiment,
settle this extremely eccentric court
ship
Cant do it, ono way nor luther" the
old man rejoined; and then, quickly
turning to the girl, he added. Judy. I've
got an idee."
What is it, papi" ~.
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. parsonG'
Yes, " the parson answered proudly.
Thar, now" continued the old man,