Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-02-13

G@Z1A
O'DiIlon. as he rapturously surveyed the
bit of pasteboard covered with roses,
tulips and peoples. "And the varses,
Barney, read 'e1n again"
LAS swate as tulips and roses,
, Ny pretty, fair maiden. are you;
As bright as the sun in the heavens,
AS dewdrops, tender and true.
THAT describes the WILDLY, precise
w." interrupted Donald, excitedly.
II come to you hoping. yet faihting,
Your valentine fain would be;
If it's yes, keep on with your smiling,
If tits no. return this to me-.
"ie've foine taste, Barney, me by,
md when yer turn comes nd yer courten
rome svate crather loike the WILDLY,
I'll do as much for We. And now Il yell
list do me the favor to present it this
avening, I'll count this a foine days
work"
present it yourself, Donald
Faith. md I'm that bashful I'd blush
meself into a faver; We won't go back Oh
me now, barney. Ie naden't go in I'M
less We PLACE; ye kin wait at 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 a 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 tbs.
old country; doubt if he ever knew he
was %.
I've got to see Rodger about thrad-
ing work tomorrow, anyway Barney
said, slowly, after a moments reflee-
ton. Barney always said everything
slowly.
When Barney went out, Donald care
fully scrubbed his hands and then took
up the precious bit of pasteboard that
Barney had ridden seven miles to pro-
cure. Eagerly he examined it over
and over, trying to read from memory
that wonderful poem.
Its a foine thing to be schollard
like Barney" he unused, longing 10
really read the mystic words.
ut was a lucky day fer me whin I
coaxed him away from old Baily; md a
lucky thing for the by.
..This'n fetch the wildly, reckon:
Ihe.s a sinsible woman, very sinsible
woman" Then he carefully folded the
card in q bit Of paper, and, just at dusk.
Barney started on his mission.
"What'1l say?" he queried.
Donald reflected awhile, then
answered pompously: donald could
be pompous when he had only Barney
to facet Till her ez we've brought her
a valentine md I want ter know if kin
come over tomorrow night"
It was only Commute walk for a
youth like Barney, to the widow Nc
Fadden's claim, and all too soon he found
himself at the door.
.sWish Donald O'Dillon 'ud do his own
courtin'," he muttered, as he paused
for a moment to glance through the
uncurtained window.
TT makes home outen place ter
hev a woman around" he continued to
himself. as he watched the widow def
" washing the supper dishes. She
looked buxom enough in the uncertain
lioht of an open wood fire and one
tallow candle. A sound very like
sigh escaped Barney's lips as he gave
vigorous thump on the door.
"Come in" called the widow. think
ing the summons was from her little
bow, who had gone to the barn few
minutes before.
Somewhat abashed. Barney walked
In. Looking around, Mrs. McFadden
gave a little scream, then fastened 20
explain. meanwhile Hospitality proffer-
ting a chair.
81 brought yez valentine.
The words fairly tripped over each
other as they came out OF Barneys
mouth. and he rather collapsed than
sat down in the chair. He had spoken
fast for once. but had never felt 30
illustrated" before.
All smiles and bushes, the widow
proceeded to open the package. deciar'
ing the while that he was fooiing ner'
eha4 nobody would trouble to give nes