The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-12-19
PLANTATION LIFE IN ARKANSAS,
An Amusing Anrcdote of Courting by
Proxy which Failed.

Octave Thanet. whose book of short
stories, Otto the Knight" is just now
attracting attention. has paper in the
atlantic on plantation Life in Arkan-
sas." An Arkansas planter Is thus
sketched by her clever pen:
The planter on a plantation is ex-
pccted to direct all undertakings of
pleasure or profit. In most cases, he
is postmaster. justice of the peace, free
doctor, and matrimonial adviser for
the ncighborhood.
Such scene as this is common:
Scene, tho store. Dramats persona.
the planter and JEFF Laughlin. whose
wife has been dead full two months.
Ldughlin. We'll. no. sir, | amt
come for tradin' to-day; aimed to
ask you advice"
Polite but inarticulate murmur from
planter. who goes on posting up his
ledger.
Laughtin (whittling abstractedly on
the rim of the desk). well. you see,
my mother-in-law. she's mighty nice
old lady. and she gifts a pension of
eight dollars month, aud spends
ever cent on it fur the children; but.
fact is, she's so old and so nigh-si GIFTED
she jest natchelly cayn't keep things
up; and it's too hard for her, and it's
jest breaking her down. And l jest
lowed I'd ask you advice"
Planter. We'll. Laughlin. l don't
see anything for it but for you to
marry again!"
Laughlin (brightening considerably.
We'll, l don't see anything else / kin
do. hate to terribly; but looks like
l jest natchellv ben obleeged to-"
Planter. Had you any body in your
mind. Laughlin?"
Laughtin. Il reckon Phonelta Rose
wouldn't have me?'
Planter (with truthful frankness).
''No. | don't reckon she would"
Lamghiin. II lowed she'd think I'd
got too many children"
Planter. Yes. dare say"
Ldughlin. They're mighty nice.
still children. and make a strong force
for the cotton field"
Planter. They seem nice children"
Laughttn (very agitated). IL
say, Mist Planter, don't you guess you
could write n letter to Miss Phonetta,
and ask her for &1e?"
Planter. We'll. no. Mr. Laughlin.
| don't think size would take kindly to
having any other man do her sweet
hearts courting. You speak up for
YOURSELF"
LaughtiH (despondently). Yes, sir,
I'll turn 1t over in my mind; but YOU
see I'd hate terrible for to have her
say no to me right TO my Fl ce. aud
twudn't be nigh so bad i'm (. letter.
And | ain't much in the habit OF riiG
in letters myself (Which wFIs stickly
true, Laughlin being baxtely ale 10
sign his name and ''readewriiin''I, 20
| didn't know but youk etc.
Unlucky LaughIi(i! he has rached
the boundary line of the planters azhi-
ability. Il W ont write love etters
and | won't pull teethr' declses the
planter; a Ld Laughlin goes hisway to
propose 10 Phonetta in form. N their
way he pme from playing gan at a
neigh sbor's, to be rejected, an ~ feel
ever afterward that if Mist 2lapter'd
mar he'd it to her, instead, she'd of
+ liked different"
ut we foresee that he Wi be con-
In this country. widovers spend
time in mourning. * months
hat the most dccoDus would
widowers wait three months.
his. or only one fhis haste
imply hardness 1f heart so
hard life. WAT. indeed,
do who has tree or four
"en. big field waiting his
,. and no woman to guide