St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-08-01

ritable old man rehearsed with childish
qucrulousness the late episode.
Il know it's q silly lot, uncle. but
I've told You a hundred times all care
for here is the fishing. Yct-Miss Ma
rian has rather q pretty face, ch?"
Nonsense! A pretty face. I wish
you could hare seen her q few minute.
ago"
II wish I could" said Jerry, limo
Gently.
The elder Milward had had hi.
nephew's wife picked out for him fol
years. lie had noted the late symp
toms that the young mans head wa.
being turned in quite another direction
So he seized every opportunity to decry
''that little snub-nosed thing with RED
cheeks"
Get of your traps and come ani
smoke with me. I'm sick of Langley
Let him pay court to the ladies'
Jerry strobe away, and after some
time reappcarcd with the fresh hearth
ness Of q bath and clean linen upor
him.
1--WE set the trap" he whispered Il
Marian and he seated her Mt the table
for a game Of chess, forgetting al
about his unclc's invitation to smoke.
Milward watched them gloweringly
through the window as they played
s'She's the most dangerous little mins
of ALL" he said to himself, land ! know
it was she who made the greatest row
about the mouse"
H~s~
enough for all the young people to b.
of. But somehow they hung abou,
that side veranda where Milward and
Langley were accustomed to hOb-nOt
In peace.
Presently a lout of . boy came
tramping along. He had something in
his hands, and it could be seen by his
dress that he was from the stables.
Just as he came near the group he stu.
pidly dropped what he held. and q
mouse, half stunned. scrambled to its
little feet and ran for refuge under Mil.
wards chair.
.'Good Lortl!" he screamed. with as
wild an antic a. his helpless leg would
admit Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Langley scurried into the parlor.
The girls held their ground heroically
and made no sign. They had pledged
themselves to perfect calm. even If the
mouse were to nibble them to death.
''Wherc's my cane? Jerry, where
is the thing? Catch it.-o-u-ch"'
The girls could no longer contain
themselves. They laughed till the
1T was . shame" Betty said after
ward, '.for he is an old man."
"Why, I've played just such tricks
ON uncle since ] was an urchin." said
Jerry. HE likes it. It's good for his
gout It makes him active. Didn't
you see him dancer"
at wasn't dignified," said Marian,
with growing shame.
mo. but twas fun" said Jerry.
MAYBE twill cure him of criticizing
others. At any rate we're quits"
But Milward was not cured. He still
kept . hawks watch on the young
ladies. He thwarted every plan he
could, until Jerry was far more in
love with Marian than If he had been
let alone.
III convince uncle yet" he said
As the days shortened and the chill
twilights fell the summer visitors fitted
away to the cities, until there were
few left.
To these few the broad wood fire.
places in parlors and Office became more
and more rallying points Games and
frolics of all kinds were in order. Jerry
and Marian were the butt of great
deal Of sport because they cared for
nothing but chess They could whis-
per their sentimental nothings over
that and no one be the wiser.
Il am sure uncle likes You in spite of
himself" he said to her one evening in
the parlor. But even after all his
own frightened capers he is forever re-
ferring to nerves and Mysteries Once
astride hobby he Is never willing to
get off,"
Il never expect him to like me" said
Marian, ruefully. ''And ] wonder you
do. with him always critical of me"
The little community was to break
up in . few days and Marian was de-
pressed and almost fearful
when you've gone abroad you'll for
get all about me-" she added with pa
thetic little fling of her handkerchief
Look out for your knight" said
Jerry. She had swept one from the
board. It had fallen under the sofa.
She looked about little, then left
her chair, stopped down and drew it
from its hiding place.
marian" burst out Jerry, who had
been watching her, II have IN idea-
the idea"
Lets finish the game"
s'No, NO. listen: I have thought Of .
way to circumvent the tyrant."
'sOh. pray don't, Jerry. You look ex-
actly IS you do when You have mischief
in hand. The matter is too serious for
sport"
Jerry smiled wisely.
Il shouldn't have been alive to-day
IL hadn't the wit to defend myself"
no said.
II am in no spirit to listen to plots"
she sighed 1t is late. and why.
Jerry Milward. everybody has gone
but u.s."
They're al out in the Office where
the gentlemen are smoking. Wait
minute. BY tomorrow night this time,
shall have uncle converted, or my
name i not jerry"
Marian was still pensive.
"Tsust me. darling. l shall never
~ IA