The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1897-07-21
sSV II = HEN Joe Peterman and
NM Polly May get married"
was a standing Jest In

NM ROXY may get mdEIleus
was a standing jest in
Pineville.
Joe and Polly lived on adjoining
fve-acre lots, with only a fence be-
tween them. 1t was not a very high
fence nor a strong one either. for 1t was
almost rotted down in many places.
1t was said that years ago Joe and
Polly had been sweethearts, but that
they had quarreled about some trifiing
matter. and that they had not spoken |
to each other since that day.
Jonessy had just been elected justice
of Pineville, and was looking around
to see where the fees of the office were
to come from.
AS there was nothing for him to do in
the office, he thought that it was his
duty to go outside of it and hunt up
something. In debating the question
with himself as to what would be most
likely to bring him in a fee, his mind,
of course, turned to marriages.
when Joe Peterman and Polly May
get married." he repeated to himself,
smiling. well, it is duty l owe TO
this community to end that quarrel of
theirs the first thing, and it is a duty
/ owe to myself to see that they get
married as soon afterward as posi-
ble."
So Jonessy took a walk out to Joe
Petermans place, and found the latter
at home.
Joe" he said, after some talk on
subjects in general. "Joe, | came out
to see you on official business"
Joe's eyes few wide open.
II haven't been doing anything
wrong, have II" he asked, with trem-
bling voice.
The truth was that Joe had thrown
a brlckbat at Polly's cat the night be-
fore, and without really intending to do
so, had hit her and knocked her out of
his favorite peach tree, and had felt
rather mean about 1t ever since.
well don't know" Jonessy replied,
cautiously, for Ire could see that Joe
had something on his mind, and
thought to draw him out. You see,
Joe, the right and the wrong generally
depends on the circumstances attend
Ing the case"
That's what l reckoned," said Joe
3 ''You see l saw her coming through
the fence, and tried to make her g
back"
"And she wouldn't go?"
mo"
j. tsXHvla+ ,Ji,l ,ro., Jn 90
: "Soon as l spoke she ran up tina
:, peach tree, and went to clawing AM
!, scratching the bark"
e 'She did, eh?'
"She did. Then l got mad, like
fool" said Joe, hanging his head. :
: picked up a brickbat and threw 1t q
:, her, and down she came, kicking he
:. legs like drumsticks."
: Didn't she say anything?" aske
:. Jonessy.
20 "Who?"
Iy "Why, Polly May, of course"
IF "You didn't think that 1t was Polly
ut treated that way, did your asked 10
to "No, hardly. But who was it?'
at was Polly's cat, Jonessy. though
es that perhaps Polly had seen 1t, an
is gone to you and entered a complain
ch against me-"
mt mo, she hasn't done it yet, Joe, b.
no there is no telling how soon she may {
IL So" said Jonessy. Then he added, co
1t fidentially, IF | were you I'd go ov
res and see her and settle the whole thll
yes out of court"
~ After Jonessy left him Joe stood Al
scratched his head for some time. T
lou whole thing was a puzzle to him. HI
we Jonessy known more than he prefer
ne ed? If so, had Polly told him? And
81 Polly had, was 1t at her suggestion tn
lue Jonessy had come and told him to
!, and see her?
-, ut is ten years since we spoke"
III, unused, with sad smile. while a mo-
ihu ing bird was singing blithely in a Il
close by.
Then suddenly he burst out laughil
1.-THE idea of Polly climbing a tree"
lDa cried. And me throwing brickbats
ue' her, and she falling-ha-ha-ha."
- But Jonessy walked homeward
80 quite a different mood. Somehow
- felt that his mission had been rattle
- failure Still, every once In awhile
Ioar CLEAN of hope darted upward and
49,, thought that he could see fee of of
,ort afar off.
taIs AS he walked along. musing
t;no dreaming he found himself sudde
staI face to face with woman carryin
in huge basket on her arm.
,red How do you do, Judge?' she or
st;ll cheerily, letting her basket down to
fne ground. Il was real glad to hear
the you was elected"
/ az ''Thank you, Polly. was just tn
cate ing about you when you bobbed !
- said Jonessy. "Have just been owe
FORK see your neighbor, Joe Peterman'
was on anyway home with my thou
full of both of you."
q in Polly frowned.
ugh Joe isn't gong 10 nave me 10 g
any Is he?" she asked.
Cant say, Polly. l reckon that
ponds as much on you as on him."
"Well, he had no business comm
through the window like he did,"
cried. "It served him only right
ell the window fell down on him III
did and caught him by the leg.
course, when | grabbed him by
throat to keep him from squalling,
ng he cut me on the wrist, was
enough to kill him. But kept my
III per, and | didn't hurt him any
than could help" she protested
- "But Joe DIDN'T" Jonessy beg