The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-01

After that, however, their acquaint-
nnce rapidly ripened. and a few weeks
later Jerry surprised Mr.. johnson by
asking for the hand of his daughter
in marriage.
Mr.. Johnson was engaged in the
pastoral occupation of milking COW
ut the moment this question was
sprung upon him, and he nearly fell
off the stool in astonishment
"Want to marry my darter, May?"
he gasped. "I guess not, young mani
Not IL the court knows itself. I've
bin edyercatin' her fer suthin' higher
than marryin' her fathers hired man"
ooh, If that is the only objection,
it can easily be removed" interposed
Jerry. 81 don't expect to remain any
body's hired man after my two years
are up. | believe told you when 1
came here that I had just graduated
from college, and intended to make
the pursuit of agriculture my life
business, instead of going into medi-
cine or law, or any other of the
already overcrowded professions. 1
believe man with brains can put
them to as good use and makea "a much
money in farming as in anything else,
and propose to prove it, am study
ing the practical side of the business
now, and ut the end of my two years
propose to go west and buy ranch
and strike out for myself. As far as
education is concerned, / don't think
/ shall ever give your daughter oc-
| -, l. u1, oil ,f nd aa tn
supporting her comfortably and in be-
coming style, believe / shall be
abundantly able to do so, and
"Can't help that, Jerryl" broke in
Mr.. johnson. 81 hain't gointer have
We luggin' May off jest because we two
young folks imagine yer in love. A
woman is n mighty queer an onsartin
sort of critter, anyhow, as yell find
out soon enough when we git hooked
up in double harness fer life with one
of 'em, an if / was in yer place /
wouldn't be in any hurry bout takin'
n yoke of that kind on my shoulders.
"Anyhow, il ye insist on gittin'
married in spite of my warnin' yell
halter pick out some other pardner
besides the one ye've got yer eyes sot
on at present. My darter is goin' back
to college next week to finish up her
edyercation, an when she gifts through
her schoolin' it will be plenty time
enough fer her to commence thinkin'
bout the men. She'll forgit We by that
time fast enough, so we might as well
give up all hope right now of ever git
Tin her. / like We well enough other
ways, Jerry, but don't care fer ye in
the role of son-in-law. There, now,
ye've got yer answer fair an square,
an eff we want to stay an work out
the balance of yer time, we'll drop the
love bizness right here, au' I'll treat
ye as well as ever; but il we don't care
to stay under the circumstances it is
all right, an l shan't blame We any
fer going. Now, which is it to be,
Jerry, stay or quit?"
"I'll stay" said Jerry, quietly.
And stay he did performing his
duties as conscientiously and thor
oughly as ever, although the farm life
suddenly grew sordid and dull when
May went back to her college studies.
The months rolled swiftly around,
however, as months have a habit of
doing, until eighteen of them had
be II crossed off the calendar of time.
Then May, as bright and winsome as
of old, came home with her dimples
and diploma, and, though he did not
even dare to look his admiration,
Jerry was straightway transported to
paradise.
Jerry's term of service finally ex-
pired, and he regretfully announced
that the time had come for him to
strike out for himself.
That's so, jerry" said Farmer
johnson. 81 had clean forgot bout
yer two years bein' up today. Waal,
I'll look over accounts an settle up
with We after dinner, an in the mean
time We kin be lookin' round an sorter
maxim up yer mind which one of the
critters on the place ye want. be.
lieve we was to take yer choice when
ye quit"
"Well," said Jerry, promptly, sit
won't take me long to make up my
mind"
Here he stepped quickly across the
room to where May was gazing dis
consolately from the window, ant
whispered question in her ear. Fol
an instant her eyes met his; then she
rose, with smile, placed her hant
confidingly in his, and together they
faced her father.
"This is my first and only choice,
exclaimed Jerry, with ring of mingled
pride and triumph in his tones.
"But we can't do that-'taint in tn,
agreement, / said critter, not win
men folks; an L hain't gointer allow
no such"
"Just moment, if you please, Mr.
Johnson" interrupted Jerry Brant
drawing himself erect, with proudly
flashing eyes, and still retaining May,
hand. Haven't i heard You alluds
to the women as queer. critters, con
sarned critters, plaguey crittres and
don't know how many other kinds o