Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-10

''Mebbe,'' she soliloquized. ''the poor
creature is leetle off his balance, and
not responsible
just then the book fend stopped be-
side the man, and thrust his magazines
and novels under his nose. He had
closed his eyes and was apparently
doing, and took no notice of the in
truder.
90 Red as Rose is She.'-sMurders
of the Rue Morgue. "A Lovely Philis-
tineI' =" yelled the fend.
Miss lilly rose in her seat.
''You pesterin' idjit!'' she exclaimed,
''can't you see that he's jest havin'
catnap? Mercy sakes! Let him alone!''
The boy stared at her, and shoulder
ing his books passed on, leaving Miss
lilly leaning back comfortably in her
seat, well satisfied to have quenched
his ardor.
There was gentle movement of the
gray head on the cushions in front of
her, and pair of quizzical black eyes
were turned for moment in her direc-
ton.
''Thank ye!' said the owner of the
head. much obliged to We, ma'am."
Miss lilly smiled and nodded affably.
"I know how it does rile body up
to have such a yellin' in ones ears when
you are tryin' TO get a nap" she said.
For few miles the old man did not
stir. Miss lilly endeavored to divert
her mind by wondering who would be
at the depot to greet her on her arrival
my! My!' she soliloquized. Wont
they be out in full force! 'Twouldn't
surprise me one bit if Uncle Uriah got
out o. bed to come. l do WISH" she
! Ill
to buy the twins doll apiece-but my
lands! 1 amt he'd enough to buy me a
new pair o. shoes, till jest before 1
come away-and then 1 he'd to buy 'em
so cheap expect they'll sqwawk like
barn door"
Just then the stranger began to
cough violently. 1t was nasty hack
ing cough, and he became red in the
face with the exertion.
Miss Tilly's hand went into her bag,
and out came box of lozcnges.
"Here!' she cried, proffering the open
box to the choking man. You jest
try one; they're made after Aunt Polly
Jenkins recipe
He hesitated moment, looked sharp
~ at her, then accepted the civility
rendered to him.
When the cough had ceased he OBJ
served:
You are most extraordinary wom-
an"
BE I?'' inquired the no wise in
suited lady. placidly. "Well, if wantin'
to help a man that is old and pore and
hain't got no one to mend for him is
bein' extraordinary, 1 dunno but what
L be-"
She smiled at him and smoothed back
the faded hair more snugly beneath
her black bonnet.
How do you know I've no one to
mend for me?" cried the old man, with
asperity. ''And-as to my poverty
who told you 1 am poor?"
A look of indulgent pity overspread
the woman's face, as she replied:
THAT hole in your overcoat sleeve
+ has been givin' me the fdjicks ever
| since I sat eyes on you-an' as to your
bein' pore, 1 don't suppose I'm much
better off n what you be-but pore is
pore an man with hole in his coat
big enough for cat to crawl through,
amt likely to be no John Jacob Astor.
Now be hep"
No." replied the man, slowly, che
isn't. Where do you get Off" he
asked.
| off, she stammered, that isl kalka-
late to go on to Stillington, if 1 meet
my folks there-that is
Drowned in confusion she dropped
her eyes, then, raising them with a
sudden effort, she said more boldly:
| 'You'n excuse me, sir, 1 rather
guess I've been kind O. pert, talking to
you. 1t seemed to me you was older
n what you be, an-an I was sorry
for you, but now l look squar' at you
you don't seem feeble-an' -
I'm just fifty-two years DID," re-
marked the old man, smiling fifty
two years-and you are the first honest
woman 1 have met during the last
twenty of them"
| For mercy sakel' cried Miss lilly.
''What kind o company hev you been
keepin'? faint possible that you've
jest escaped from states prison?"
An expression of amazed incredulity
passed over the face of the stranger.
Have you lived ali your life in the
country?" he asked.
"Yes, l have she retorted, IAN !
was brought up among honest folks.
too
The man eyed her with profound in
terest.
Suppose" he said, you had lot OF
money, what would you do with it?"
Miss lilly sat for few moments lost
in brown study, then she glanced at
her questioner and asked, dou btfully:
'How much money? Some folks is
rich on dollar-I dunno as 1 could
fix my mind on anything onless
knew how much"
'tOh, say a few hundred dollars" re-
| piled the old man.
"Why land O. goodness CALCULATED
the woman. "a body could buy out the
hull O. Yanktown with that much, an
| it's maxim fool O. me to ask me such
a question. l amt no more likely to
have such a pile O. cash than" she
hesitated. then added with conviction,
than you BE-"
''Wen, just make believe" urged the
man.
! WALL" she said, Al kalkalate the
| first thing I'd do would be to buy the
twins doll apiece"
| ''And then?" he urged.
81 might get an easy chair for poor
| Mis- Bunnit," she unused.
| Hang Mrs Bunnitr' he exclaimed.
"I meant what would you buy for your
|