The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1891-11-28
'"pthv,

there, he sent over for me to come and oc-
cupy IL, and expected, / suppose, that ]
should keep house for him till his fortune
was made and we could return to old Eng.
land together.
He forgot that out in Queensland n mar
riageable young lady is a very valuable
and much sought-after article. | had not
been at Wymaring three weeks before
had half a dozen sutors. One of them
George Stewart, who had n sheep-farm six
or seven miles away-seemed quite as
lonely as Leo, and he had n cottage wait.
ing for me much prettier than my broth.
er's; so after had kept house for Leo for
nbout six months, ! changed my name,
and residence, and went over to Stewart
Farm.
George did the best he could for Leo.
He gave him, in exchange for me, his own
servant. a half-witted Irshmau who was
warranted TO wash, sew, and cook, as well
as to look after horse and a garden; but
he was far too inventive and ingenious q
cook for Leo's taste, and, as for sewing,
he did not know how to use a thimble.
Though suppose it was complimentary
to me, still | was very uneasy when
found how thoroughly dissatisfied Leo
was with the change.
One evening he rode over to the farm, as
he often did, about sunset. We were sit
ting out in the porch. George and /, and
went to the gate TO meet him and put up
his horse.
THAT Mike againr Leo began as soon
as he had greeted us, and would say no
more till we were all seated in the porch
together. "Oh, that Mixer he exclaimed
again.
well, what is the matter this timer
asked George. "More original cookeryi"
mo" groaned Leo; "he is gone!"
"Goner' calculated George and l to-
gether.
Eyes wanted one of my best linen
shirts, and found he had cut it up into
pocket-handkerchiefs: and very proud he
was OF it, too. And I'm afraid l must have
discouraged him, because he has disap-
peared."
THAT is n pity" said my husband, SER
iously; 'he was an honest fellow and well.
meaning-if he did get into a few mud.
dies"
"Yes," answered Leo, 81 am very sorry.
It Is not that miss The mani am very
glad to be rid of him; but the gold watch
my father gave me and few more things
have gone, too. ! am sorry | discouraged
him"
Ny husband could not help laughing,
but was very indignant at the theft of
the watch.
Look here" said Leo at last, az want
my sister back. Remember, it was bar
gain. You gave me that atrocious old
duudcrhcud of an lrishman for her, on
the understanding. of course, that ne
would stay with me. He is gone. Natu-
rally take Mary back again To keep house
for me-"
"But can not spare her." returned
George, putting his arm around me with
an air of proprietorship. "can I, old girl'
Look here, Leo-you must get married
yourself"
"Yes," said, "get wife for yourself,
Leo"
Hear, hearr' cried my brother, spring.
ing 10 his feet. II am so glad that is
your opinion, because proposed yester'
dayr'
"Proposed" exclaimed George and /.
There was not n marriageable woman that
we knew of for fifty miles round.
For goodness sake tell me to whomr'
/ inquired.
''Oh, you need not be frightened" he re-
turned. Pm not going TO marry native
or the old hag who keeps the dram-shop
Ihave written home for her"
"For whom?"
"Dollyr'
dolly Devay, Good gracious! But you
were never engaged, were your"
mo; but ! was always very fond OF her.
She can cook and sew. feel certain: and
know she was very fond of me-
But what did you say to herr" sasped.
"Oh, ! said had never given thought
70 any girl since left her"
Especially as you have scarcely seen
one" interposed George.
Leo went on without noticing the inter
ruption.
81 said wanted a wife, and asked her
II she would come ont here and marry me
would meet her at Brisbane, and get the
thing done straight oil before coming on
here. where we should live happily ever
afterwards"
"Ohr exclaimed George. whistling. II.
that all'"
"Oh. no. / sent her piece of poetry
that am sure will bring her. i made Il
up for the occasion. Here is the frs
verse
Hand In hand. little children. together,
We played where the breez Of the moorlan,
Shook all the bells of the heather,
Little sweetheart, do you remembcrf
The bells are I'll withered.
The heather is black.
And am come back.
Is IL hand In hand stu. little sweetheartf
Is IT hand in hand, darling. forever
Funny metrer' grunted George.
"And there never was any heather a
Bloxhome. where you saw Dolly" i Oh
Jected.
mo. IL was stubble-fields chiefly; bu
'stubble does not sound romantic enough
1t is poetic license, you know"
And you are not going back" said IN!
husband.
Poetic licenser CALCULATED Leo again.
''She will never comep' / declared EN-
phatically.
II don't expect she will; but 1t is wortl
trying. There is not a girl in this place
except the little Browns; and can't wal
eight years till they grow up. just III,
luck-the only marriageable young wo
man ever imported was my own sister
But do not see why Dolly should no
come, )" he went on. II shall be in tn,
agones of suspense for a couple o
months"
"You have not really sent the letter."