The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-12-05
WITCH AND /

Witch ana ! had n quarrel, Who is
Il that says II takes two to make
quarrel? Whoever 1t Is makes mis-
take. II took only one to make our
quarrel, and that was my precious
Aunt Betsy Jane. Witch has n temper;
70 have |. She wasn't christened
Witch. God fathers and mothers have
much to answer for, still never heard
o. their giving Witch as n baptismal
name to a Christian child. No, her
pame Is Julia Felicia, which is simply
absurd. Fancy little dark-eyed. be-
wltchlng fve feet nothing having a
name like that.
My name Is John, and John I'm al
ways called. Had | been chrlstened
Robert or Thomas | should have been
called either Of those plain. sensible
names. There is nothing for the imag-
nation to catch hold of in my face or
figure. I'm not six feet in my stock
irgs; Pm only five feet ten. | haven't
crisp, golden hair" and a ''tawny
beard No; my eyes. hair and beard
ale brown. ana for the rest have non
descrpt features and good teeth. More
over, as said before. | have temper,
vile one, and ia all things, apart from
my profession, am born fool
lt was over a game of tennis that
Aunt Besty Jane made us quarrel.
Witch didn't play up and l slated"
her I've slated" Witch ever since
I've known her. and I've known her
since she was 10. so she ought to have
got used TO 1t. For the matter of that.
she wouldn't have bothered her head
loved aunt Witch states me ferocious-
ly sometimes. but it never makes any
difference.
Well, II was at one of Mrs. Douglas
'at homes that the row began Witch.
Miss White, Dougal and were playing
tennis. DOugal and Miss White were
against us. AS a rule Witch ticks the
other girl into tits. but on this occasion.
for some reason or other she missed
nearly every ball. | was annoyed. and
| expressed myself perhaps little
more strongly than l ought to have
done, but I'm sure | said nothing one
whit stronger than I've said scores OF
tunes without any offense being taken.
BE that as 1t may, Witch refused to
play any more and went and sat down
by Aunt Betsy Jane
| am a doctor, and soon after that
someone fetched me away Ii was
bad case. and didn't get home till mid
night. In the dining-room some cold
meat and beer were waiting for me: so
was a note from Witch. l ate a mouth
iul and drank n glass of beer. then
opened the note. For a moment felt
as II had knife in my heart. II was
Mitch-wOuld have nothing more to do
with me. My conduct at Mrs. Douglas
had proved to her that she no longer
possessed my respect. and without re-
spect love was not likely to last long.
etc. She ended by saying that she
would have returned my ring. but could
not remove Il from her finger. but that
she would get the jewelcr to cut 1t or
tomorrow. | smiled a grim smile at
the last sentence. had no Intention Of
allowing that ring TO be cut of.
The lovely elluslon puzzled me alto
rethcr II wasn't in Witchs usual
style Naturally. a note OF that kind
coming from her would have run In
this way: John. hate and detest you.
aud hope you1l keep out of my sight
forever" or something like 1t. Wen.
went to bed. was such an ass that
! never slept a wink all night. but
made up my mind what l would do.
GOT up early and made a good break.
fast; then ! went into the surgery, saw
my assistant, talked over the cases and
told him should be away all day.
After that | went to town. straight to
MitchS fathers office. He hadn't mr.
rived. but his people knew me and
showed me into his private room. He
end ! are great friends-always have
been. SO II was quite natural for me
to 20 TO him for advice. or, rather. to
talk over things. When he came in he
seemed rather surprised az seeing me.
out after he had shaken hands he
looked over his letters. gave some d.
iections and then. looking calmly at
NE. said:
Now. John"
can you spare me half an hour sir?"
80 far as know. 60 ahead"
well, I'm making $1,000 year and
my practice is Increasing"
That's good"
Don't you think Witch and might
marry on thaty"
Certainly"