Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-02-15

Ml honest Donald
O'Dillon, MS he rapturousiy surveyed the
bit of pasteboard covered with roses,
tulips and peoples. "And the vnrses,
Barney, read 'em again"
"As swa.e as tulips and roses.
Ny pretty, fair maiden, arc you;
As bright Us the sun In the heavens
AS dcwdrops, tender and true"
''That describes the WILDLY, precise
ly," interrupted Donald, excitedly.
'T como TO you hoping. yet falnting.
Your valentine fain would DO;
II It's yes. keep on with your smiling,
II tits no. return THIS to me-"
"Ye've foine taste, Barney, me by,
md when yer turn comes nd yer courten
GONE swatc crather loike the WILDLY,
I'll do as much forge. And now If yell
list do me the favor to present 1t this
avening, I'll count this q foine days
work."
present It yourself, Donald
"Faith, nd I'm that bashful I'd blush
meself into faver; We won't 60 back Oh
me now, barney. Ye naden't SO in UNI
less ye place; ye kin wait ut the door fer
the answer"
Simple Donald had never even hear'l
of the courtship Of Miles Standish else
he might have thought twice before
sending n stalwart youth, ten years his
Junior, to do his wooing for him. In
his eyes, Barney Casey was naught but
the "lad" brought with him from the
old country; doubt II he ever knew he
was %.
"I've got TO see Rodgcr about thrad-
ing work tomorrow, anyway" Barney
said, slowly, after n moments rcflec-
tion. Barney always said everything
slowly.
$50 yes have"
When Barney went out, Donald care
fully scrubbed his hands and then took
up the precious bit OF pastcboard that
Barney had ridden seven miles to pro-
cure. Eagerly he examined 1t over
md over, trying to read from memory
TINT wonderful poem.
"It's foine thing to be schollard
like Barney" he muscd, longing 10
really read the mystic words.
at was n lucky day fer me whin !
coaxed him AWAY from old Daily; nd n
lucky thing for the by.
"This1l fetch the wildly, reckon;
she's q sinsible woman, very sinsiblc
woman" Then he carefully folded the
card in bit OF paper, and, just ut dusk,
Barney started on his mission.
"Whatll say?" he qucried.
Donald reflected awhile, then
answered pompously: donald could
be pompous when he had only Barney
to facet It'll her ez ye'vc brought her
q valentine nd want ter know II / kin
come over tomorrow night"
IL was only n Commute walk for a
youth like Barney, to the widow Nc
Fadden's claim, and all too soon he found
himself ut the door.
swish Donald 0'Dillon 'ud do his own
courtin'," he muttered, Us he paused
for q moment to glance through the
uncurtained window.
at makes home outen n place ter
hev a woman around" he continued to
himself, rs he watched the widow deft-
ly washing the supper dishes. She
looked buxom enough in the uncertain
light of an open wood fire and one
tallow candle. A sound very like q
sigh escaped Bnrney's lips as he gave
vigorous thump on the door.
"Come In" called the widow, think
ing the summons wns from her little
boy, who had gone to the barn few
minutes before.
Somewhat abashed, Barney walked
IN. Looking around, Mrs. McFndden
gave little scream, then hnstened 20
explain. meanwhile Hospitality proffer-
ing chair.
II brought yez valentine"
The words fairly tripped over each
other as they came out of Barneys
mouth, and he rather collapsed than
nat down in the chair. He had spoken
last for once, but bad never felt 20
aaustrated" before.
All smiles aud blushes, the widow
proceeded to open the package. doclar'
ne The while that he was foolIng her.
skst uobody would trouble to gIvc her