The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-05-17

Work mere one year tne Ola man WOulC
give me Minnie-fact-wh what's the mat
ter with you? Promised not to have any
thing to say to the girl durin' the time
an"
"Hold on" Sam yelled. That was
my contract with the old man"
Tall spat out the sassafrass twig
sprang to his feet and exclaimed:
"That's my contract and l want yor
to understand it."
Then there arose such controversy
that neither one could have his say
They quarreled, fought and then finally
agreed that the old man was the Grim
inal. LET us go to the house and one
him know that the other ones are near,
said JEFF. Let us understand what
right nc has to make us work for him
while he sets back in the shade"
They FASTENED to tho house. Minnie
was singing in tho kitchen, boiling o
cabbage and taking care that the cat
did not snatch piece OF salt pork that
lay on the table. The old man sat in
the family room greasing his raw-hide
boots. JeH entered first
"Mr Barnes, am to have Minnie al
the end Of the year?" the young man
asked.
"Of course, Jeffy. How are you boys
gittin' along with the rails?'
"Never mind the rails, old man.
want to know IL the girl Is mine"
"Of course. We want rails enough
TO fence that new ground, Jcffy."
JEFF, without saying any thing more,
went out and Sam came in. ''Mr
Barnes," said he, 1.-The year is gittin
sorter old"
ayes, Sammy, time don't hang itself
on peg"
"Ah, hah! and Mr. Barnes, want to
know IL Minnie is to be mine at the end
Of tho year,
"Why, Sammy, how can you ask such
question? You know she is your'n. VI
Sam went out and Tall came in.
"Why, hello. Tall, what are you doiu'
round here this time Of day? ] am
mighty anxious to git them rails done,
and | did hope that you boys would
stick to it. You know that l take n
Dlk lhttICoe Nou LULLABY yo'i
are to be my son-in-law, Tally
But arc you goin' to give mo Min
nie?"
80, course / am. Tally, am man
OF my word"
Tall stepped to the door, made mo-
ton with his hand, and then the other
two boys came in. They raved at the
old man; they threatened to kill him;
they threw him cut of his chair and
bumpcfhis head against the wall.
"Wait mint, boys" said old Barnes,
pressing his hands to his head, wait a
mint. II have wronged any OF you |
am sorry for it. mout have made
promises that don't know any thing
about. The doctor tells me that amt
well; he says that have lost my ricol-
lection. II have made contracts with
all three Of you don't know any thing
about it. The Lord knows that love
you all. Jest set hero till | go and
speak to Minnie. If she takes one OF
you the others can't object"
They could not object. Each man
knew that no was the favored one.
clared that he could not find tho girl.
The lovers ran out TO find her but she
was gone. Several days were spent In
resultless search The three men
brought suit against old Barnes, each
man suing for the girl. Tho case came
up before Squire Tommy Pcggleworth.
Just as the trial was called the girl Min
ME entered.
This is a very complicated case
said the judge, land if agree to give
justice every one interested must swear
to stand by the decision"
All the interested parties swore that
they would stand by the decision OF the
court.
81 must consult the authorities" said
the Judge. What we want ia Justice.
The authorities" he said. after a few
moments spentin turning the leaves OF
an unabridged dictionary. ARE silent as
10 this particular case. must, there |
fore, act with caution. Mr.. Barnes, | |
Am wldowcr, as you know"
"Ies, your honor"
''Mr. Barnes" the Judge continued,
''we had transaction once, and now |
hold mortgage against you for FIVE hun
dred dollars"
Eyes, your honor; that is true
well, MIR. Barnes and gentlemen, to
settle this cause in satisfactory manner,
] will dismiss the whole affair and take
tho girl as a litter Of the mortgage.
the wedding will take plaoe
bonight You are all invited"
ORE l.. READ.