Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-08-01
Love and Politics at Swans
Island.

children quarrel over the affairs OF the
government; and Democratic lady cannot
borrow from Republican lady, though 1t
be a case of emergency Sudden and press
ing. Neither can a Republican lady eX-
pect any favors from Democratic lady.
No business can be transacted amicabiy
between two men of different politics; and
the small Democrats and Republicans
make faces at each other, and cannot be
induced to sit side by side at school. The
men are always discussing and "argiyin
when ON shore. In the one store, winch
is down by dark cove, which Is also the
postoffice. there is seldom lull IN the
discussion of a weekday, and the media
tive eve rings with liveler debates. Some
times these political discussions by the
fitful kerosene end in tragedy. Two
Young sailors disagreeing on the merits OF
the incoming and outgoin President last
year, one seized knife and inflicted So
we're wound upon the other. Cap'n Ma
hum True thrashed Cap'n Ezra Hogden
within an inch of his life because he did
believe in ''terift REFORM" and Cap'n Ezra
took his revenge by shooting Capt Nahum
through the arm in the dark and silent
night while the latter was on his way
home from Greatport. Small boys emulate
the example of their elders; and one lively
lad of nine pushed another lad a year or
two younger than himself off the slip into
the deep waters of the ocean because he
did not believe that Cleveland was good
President Fortunately some fishermen
were near at hand, and the young politi-
elan was rescued from watery grave.
Sailors who are either neutral, or only
mildly persuaded that they belong to one
party or the other, when they come to
Swans Island soon become violently partl-
san; and yet there appears to be nothing
more aggressive in its salt, Northern, and
vigorous air than in other places rounda-
bout where they take things more calm
ly.
A courtship, or the rumor of court
ship, will always create diversion even in
the most troublous times, however; and
now, though the Swans Island light
keeper had recently died, and there was
great excitement oyer the question wheth-
er the government would appoint Ben
Squirting, the son of the late keeper, who
was Democrat, or Joe Neatly, who was a
Republican, and was trying his best to get
the position himself, when it was spread
about that Mary Olive Swan was encOur-
aging two beaux at the same time, even
this excitement passed over in measure.
The male portion of the island were fully
as much interested in the affair as the fe-
male, and everybody was Oh the qui rire
to find out all the particulars of the case.
The women dreamed of it at night, and
edited each other by relating these
dreams at the earliest possible opportuni-
ty, and the fishermen were reluctant to
leave the shore until it was finally settled.
Some prophesied that she would take Joe,
some that Ben was the favored one, MARY
Olive was just so queer n bigerted;" and
others that she had no idea of marrying
either Some thought she was $50 tickled
to get two beaux, as she never had any
when she was young, her hair was so red
and her face so saller, thas she was entire
ly upset, and couldn't tell her own mind
no moren nothing"
''To be sure, her hair was jest as red
now, but she had grown looking"
Her cheeks were plump and her complex
ion red and white, but what there was
about an old maid like her that them two
men should be so dretful taken by was a
wonder. 1t was probable that she had
good wages for keepin' house for her old
uncle over to Greatport all these twelve or
thirteen years, but she couldn't have laid
by no great; she was too given to dressin g
up, Mary Olive was"
As for Mary Olive herself, she was the
picture of unconscious innocence when she
entered the meeting house of Sunday
with the two men dangling at her heels
and sang soprano in the choir to Joe Neal
ly's bass, while Ben looked on with i'll
concealed jealousy and disapproval.
Mrs. Reuben Swan-they were nearly
all Swans and Spurlings on Swans Island
declared that she couldn't sense the
| preaching at all with sich COINS on" and
''Mis lothian Swans duty to speak to
Mary Olive, and caution her against sich
behavior" If she was her sister-in law and
| lived beneath the same roof with her, she
how D1t -,
Jotham never had no gumption till she got
| we'll started; then her tongue got too linn
Der sometimes. And Mrs. lothian Swan
did speak after awhile, though she liked
and respected her husbands sister; and
having not yet fully recovered from
rheumatic fever, and with large family
on her hands, she could not possibly get
along without her help, and was mortally
afraid of offending her. But something
must be done soon to stop the wagging
tongues.
'Haye you any idea what sight of talk
there is bout you round the island, Mary
Oliver she said one night twitehing ner-
vously at the skirt of her limp calico
dress.
about meg" exclaimed Mary Olive.
''What under the sun do they find to say
about mel I've hardly been out-of DOORS
except to meeting, nor seen anybody since
l came back from Greatport."
''Why, they say you're a-leadin' on and
encouragin' two men ter court ye ter once
and must say myself thet it looks like
thet, Mary Olive. Pears ter me, if was
in your place q know 'tain't none of my
business, though), if I wanted ter git mer-
mied, I'd take Joe Neally right off fur good
and all, and give Ben his walkin' ticket
Joe's stiddy and likely owns his house, and
is pritty certain ter git the light, bein' a
Republican and an honest feller."
'There, Sabriny Swan, what are you
talkin abouts declare I'd forgotten what
a miserable, pryin', suspicious, meddle-
some place this island is, I've been away
from it so long. You'd out to go away too
for while, Sabriny, and get a different
set of ideas and notions. Encouragin' two
men TO court me, am II Can't two old
neighbors call to see body once in a while
without havin' it said they courtin'27
ooh, Mary Olive, what the use O talkin'
like thatl You know < wells | do, and
everybody else does, that they're both
crazy ter git We, and ready ter tear each
others eyes ont with jealousy; and didn't
Joe bring ye some sap sugar, and Ben