Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-10
JERRY AND SUSY.

drove a frst-class butchers wagon for
frst-class German butcher in Westwood
three miles away.
When Susy Marsh who was Mrs Har
ing's neat, capable kitchen treasure, had
come to the door she was rosy also. She
did not change color when the Westwood
baker came along, though he was young
and much admired her. But at sight of
Jerry she was apt to flush up
And it had been rather worse since last
Saturday night when Jerry, going home,
had oVertaken her tramping along toward
her own home, two miles toward West
wood, to see her mother till morning, and
had taken her in and driven her to her
very door And he had found that she
went home nearly every Saturday night,
and-wel.
Jerry touched up his horse, whistling.
What had she said? Only that she would
take tenderloin roast, about six pounds.
But he had her blue eyes and her pretty
ladylike ways to think about and think of
them he did, almost grinning In his con-
te"'ment. And when Cooley, the young
'. ,stwood baker, came up alongside of
him and began to talk he wished him In
Texas
Cooley eyed him. Truth was that when,
had offered Susy a broad compliment along
with them, she and frowned and disappear
ed sharply.
Hello, jerry he said. Been to see
your girl, Jerry? Well, she's mighty
pretty. | guess you ain t the only one
thinks so. Reckon not. Gibbs thinks so,
for one. You know Gibbs?"
Jerry didn't.
CLERK in the shoe store down to West
wood, y said Cooley, and Jerry identified
him. He was a rather large-mouthed
young fellow, who wore a red necktie and
spotted collar and cuffs.
Eyes, sir, said Cooley. 'He's right
up to snuff and any fellow that's after
his girl better look out Looks as though
he was bound to get little Susy"
''You speak of her the way you ought not
to- said Jerry sternly, though his heart
felt like lead.
"Oh, all right" said Cooley. derry
was six-footer) "Miss Susy, then. He's
bound TO have Miss Susy, and don't you
forget 1t. What do you say to drive in a
brand new buggy behind fast trotter?
That's what he gave her-lemme see; yep.
Saturday night two weeks ago twas. He
was driving her toward home licKety-spIit
she goes home Saturday nights, you
know
"Lickety-split; saw EN-, - said Cooley.
Having frst-rate time they was, too
Guess you better step down, Jerry, my boy
Guess you got pretty slim chance; that s
my opinion, said Cooley, almost hugging
himself
He wouli have continued but Jerry,
rather ashy hued and wiId-eyed, turned his
horse up another road with dash. 1t
would take him two miles out of his way
but it was his only course He knew that
if Cooley said another word he would
knock hin. off his seat.
Poor Jerry! He stared at fences and
haystacks without seeing them and nearly
went into the ditch.
Poor Jerry! Already he had, almost
without his own knowledge, made timid
little plans for the dim future-plans over
which his heart had thrilled, and now
thrilled with misery as he wretchedly re-
linquished them ALL
Pretty? Yes, she was, and the dearest
girl under the sun; and was it likely that
nobody had observed it but himself? He,
All awkward, 6-foot hobby, who was too
bashful to meet her pretty eyes! And Mr..
Gibbs, who drove the fine equipage and
had smooth and easy ways, if he did talk
loud-she liked him, of course, and of
course she would marry him.
And he wouldn' trouble her again; she
dreaded him now probably. Never again
But oh! had any fellow ever got his heart
quite so near broken?
"Mein cratious!" the German butcher
calculated at sight of him, Cherry, vat
for YOU look 50 queer and know nod
ings?"
Jerry gave husky laugh.
I'm all right now Mr.. Schultz" he
said. Fifteen dollars and twelve cents
I've taken in, sir
Got your rubbers and waterproof and
umbrella, Susy?' said Mrs Haring, look
ing into the kitchen as Susy was starting
Saturday night I'm afraid it's going
to rain again.
1t had rained for two days, but there
was little break in the clouds tonight,
and Susy was starting home bitterly Mrs
Haring looked at her shrewdly.
''lt's muddy, Susy," she said eff some
body should come along in market-wagon
and give you lift Well, remember
Susy, what I've always said-that if you
get married to suit NE I'll give you a good
parlor set that very day
The mad was bad, aud puddeS frequent,
Susy tripped along cheerfully.
Now and then she looked back. It
must be nearly time for him. She would
be glad when he did come. because of the
mnd--only because of the mud, of course.
and the bridge further on. she had heard
that some water had crossed it, and what
should she do if he didn't come along?
And altogether she looked bright and hap
PLY eXpectant as she went.
The cloud would break IN minute, she
was sure. 1t must be almost time for him.
Was that a rattle now? Yes, and it was
Jerry; it was his red-lettered wagon and
his sleek horse, and he was coming fast.
She Walked on-she could not we'll stop
and wait-with risen color and futtering
heart.
Alas and alas! the butchers wagon
anne on and Jerry with it, and Susy raised
her becoming face, and her frankest smile,
and Jerry took off his hat and lowered his
head; but that was all.
He drove on-on past heron down
the muddy road. and left her standing
there; for, in her hurt astonishment, she
stood stock still. with candid stare
Then she walked on briskly. Mrs. Har-
lng's efficient young manager was not the
girl to be wholly subdued even by calam-
ity such as this.
Pshaw! Itwas plain enough She WASH t
the only girl he sold meat to, and he had
seen somebody he liked better That was
all, and he was thinking that it was time
she knew it. um-tum-tetum.
She held her head up and hummed a
tune. 1t was beginning to sprinkle and
she was glad of it. 1t would give her