Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-06-18

Why the Promised New Hat Was
Never Bought.

"BACHELOR HALL
my DEAR BoY-Yesterday received a let
ter from my cousin and dearest friend OF my
youth, Helen Powers.
1T informed me that she would be in this part
of the state perhaps by tomorrow, and would
. do herself the honor to spend q few days with
me- for the sake of 'auld lang Syne,' and also to
. show me what q lovely daughter she has reared.
Now. my dear boy, picture me here at Bach
O. elor hall with two beautiful women on my
handS-Helen was one Of the faireSt among my
kinswomen, AMI 1 presume the daughter has
followed dutlfu!ly in her footsteps.
my old bachelor self, in the face OF this
threatened intrusion has been swallowed up
and forgotten in the great problem OF what to
=. do with them, and now To entertain them so
that their visit may be pleasant one.
1.-The bright idea has struck me that il 1 can
secure your valuable assistance in entertaining
the lovely daughter, can manage to render
Helen's life endurabie for few days in talking
= over old times.
Il beseech. you. therefore, to cast aside the
quill and buckle on your most attractive man.
ners-you see that regard them as something
. quite apart and aloof from your usual self-aEd
hasten to ting rescue.
.'Ehtre nous. is there any disinfectant that
will conquer tobacco smoke! If So purchase a
liberal supply for me, and bring along with you.
IF you would also kindly lend me picture or
two. ! might hang them up somewhere, and
give the house q sort OF civilized look.
Yours in distress.
GEORGE MERRIHETHER.
Up. ST expect you might we'll select my
. hat and bring it out with YOU A broad brimmed
&. one will best suit my peculiar style Of beauty.
&c. NJ"
The hat was in reference to a
wager we had made on New Years day
that the first who should succumb to
the tender Influences of the fair sex
must forfeit the best hat to be found in
the town.
L smiled at this postscript, and de-
- H. el,o
:: at my expense.
my friend, usually placid, wearing a
look of genuine perplexity on his genial
e. cOuntenance.
Thrice welcome!'' he cried, pleasant
Ily, as l alighted. ''You are like the
physician in case of illness-an agree
. able object to look upon, even before
prescribing for the malady."
What an intrusive word is that
small if" mine host remarked, dole
fully, as we began a tour of inspection
through the house little later. Now
here is the parlor, room quite nice
enough in its way, Vit were only fur
niShed."
''Its appointments are simply per-
= feet" 1 fastened to remark as l ran
e. my eyes over the room.
1t was sans carpet, sans curtains, sans
: furniture, except dozen massive chairs
2; and a table, which had been purchased
many months before at an auction
under the slender belief that they might
prove serviceable some day.
These were hud lied together in one
corner, as if they had quite gotten out
of their native element and had grown
hopeless of ever getting into it again.
pyramid of canned goods, some po-
tatoes, flour, various articles of horse
fgear festooning the bay-window, a new
plow, and few garden implements
lent change to the scene.
ut would SEEM" added, noting nv
friends desire to have me speak, that
you have not.devoted this room exclu-
sively to society. AS this cratic body
has of late years been zealously striv-
eng at the strange and peculiar in in
terror decoration, however, your unique
- collection of bric-a-brac will doubtless
give entire satisfaction"
II suppose this is the room to give up
to my cousins. as it is the only we'll
furnished one in the house." he said as
we reached his den across the hall
''The furnishing is sufficiently good, "
1 answered, land with the expenditure
eof some extra energy, combined with .
good broom, soap and water. and the
removal of a few superfuous boot
jacks, cigar-stubs, decrepit pipes, to-
egether with general and extensive
airing. do not think your fair visitors
will have occasion for complaint
"Should they murmur it will be an
unparalleled case of ingratitude,"
added, encouragingly
Aunt Chloe. assisted by her grand
daughter, one of the farmhands, and
the general utility boy, at once formed
a powerful combination for the suppress
. sion of dirt and disorder, and SO fierce