Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-08-04

almost every man in the district to the
school house. There was one conSpicu-
Gus absence, that was John Brewster's
father.
The business Of the evening was no
sooner announced than Gallup was
upon his feet. He said:
''Mr. Chairman: l calc'late tew board
the schoolmarm this season. an stan
ready to take her for fifty cents week
less'n any other man da'st offer!
Gen'Pmen, come on with yer bids!'
There was moment of utter silence.
Then Eli Burge slowly rose and with
his inimitable drawl said:
81 guess 'twont be necessary for
Neighbor Gallup to put himself out any,
for I'm authorized by Miss Warner to
say't she expects Miss Lawrence to
make it her home along O her this sum-
mer, an she wants tew make the dees-
trio a present o the board money
whatever it may amount to-"
Before Ellis long person was seated,
somebody's foot was set down in en-
phatic approval, and there ensued such
a vigorous stamping of cowhide boots,
such a clapping of horny hands and
| such succession of cheers as the old
schoolhouse had never before heard.
The very next week gentle Mercy
Lawrence became a member of Miss
BecIy's family. and that spinster's ik-
| ing for the quiet girl speedily became
| earnest friendship.
''Such sensible, capable, 1adylike
| girl Good and modest. helpful and
! sweet, John will have a treasure Of a
wife,
| Thus said Miss Becky, and she made
the summer delightful for teacher and
pupils alike by planning little sur
| prises for them. Now it was picnic
on the shady lawn of Warner place,
| then an excursion for berries in the big
hay rick, then a straw ride for a romp
| in the woods and return.
Meanwhile, how Jared it with the
Brewsters? It was said Mr.. Brewster
took his sons desertion very quietly,
| but Mrs Brewster stormed and scolded,
| berating both Miss Becky and Miss
! Lawrence, accusing them of conspir-
| acy to break up her family. etc.
School closed the last of September,
| when the town was electrified by hear
| ing that Miss Becky had legally adopt
&c Mercy Lawrence, who still lacked
| some months of being eighteen years of
| age, and intended making her her heir.
MISS BECKY mao al 1uGeTY1cW Win ler
old friend and neighbor, Mr.. Brewster.
What brought the interview about or
what conversation they had was not
known, but it was said Mercy Law
renee had refused to marry John Brew
ster until his father gave his consent.
However, the marriage came off in
| January, and Mr.. Brewster was pres
ent at the wedding, and seemed very
happy over his daughter.
The young people lived with Miss
Becky, much to that lady's satisfaction.
though John, at his fathers desire, went
back and forth between Warner place
and Brewster farm, and devoted him
self 70 his fathers interests.
His stepmother, during his first call.
instead of doing him bodily injury, as
she had threatened, quite embarrassed
him with congratulations
You knew which side your bread
was buttered on when you went to Miss
Becky's. didn't you, John? Eff you'd
on'y told us your calculations there
wouldn't never ben no hard feelin'x.
But 1 told Mr.. Brewster all along it
nd be good thing, your goin' there,
an I was right. Give my love to
Mercy. an tell her you're both welcome
to the square room an parlor bsd-cham-
Der any time when we feel like maxim
q changer CHARLOTTE NHITooNR