Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-14
Charlotte very wisely paid no ~
lsntion to me, but pursued her nara,

|
seem ter mex no difference ter her
an her languidge sholy wuz con
traptious. One night she TUX hit II
her hade she'd like ter see a preacher
an when ! lowed ez dere were no on,
in five miles, she said Lincoln Smith
what taught schot. in de cabin bacl
Of de sugar house, was larnin' ter b.
one, an he'd do bettern nothin'; so
went fur him.
She paused and drew long breath
"Hez you ever seed him, Miss Mary?'
Not for quite a time
well, he wears good clothes an ,
shining collar an tie wild dia,
mond pin in it an he talks book tall
what nobody kin UNDERSTAND"
"Ah, he must be clever" said I
for to be incomp ehensible is to bt
forcible,"
Ma'am?" said { larlotte.
Nothing; go on.
We'll, he cum over like ! axed him
an he read outern de Bible reel com.
fortin' all about de prodigy son an
de century man what said ter di.
pusson cum, an he cumed, an tel
anoder pusson, 60 an he COED. An
Aunt Dinah went ter sleep in de mid.
die of de readin', den he closed de
book an axed me ter set by de fire
an tell him about you alls an he Ma
an de chillun."
which, Of course, you did,
"Yessum, an de mex night he cum
agin, an den ev'ry night fur TO weeks
an | lowed ez he war reel kline ter
Aunt Dinah, but she seq now dat she
'spicioned he he'd his eye on me frum
de fust."
did you think SO, too, Charlotte?'
"Me, Miss Mary" she said with
touching humility; ooh, Lor' no,
what he gwine look at me fur?
amt no fancy Niger; l can't do
lothin' but clean house an cook an
wash"
THAT is a good DEAL" I said admir-.
lngly; "for, after all, beauty is only
skin deep"
"Yessum," said she, with pathetic
wisdom, "but hit goes long way wild
0 man; howsomever, hits all de same
ter me now"
Did you talk much, Charlotte"
asked, for | was curious to know the
process that had procured for her the
catch" of the Howell quarters"
Nom, amt sayin' nothin,; I jest
sot an listened whilst he talked"
you let him see how smart you
thought he was?"
20, yessum."
Kate was right" Remarked; "she
said that pot of incense was moro
effective than anything else, and | be-
live she knew
A"" UNI SulW NHuTIOVIt.
What did he say when he propos.
sd,"
Hit was kinder suddint, Miss Mary
] WIZ cookin' a 'possum what Mr.
Ralph shot in the chicken house and
sent ter Aunt Dinah. wuz bakin'
hit wild sweet potatoes and de smell
sholy wuz nice, an Lincoln seq ter
me, SEE he, Charlotte, you amt much
nn looks an ] lows ez folks expec' me
yer look hlghern YOU nut you snoly
lluz know how ter cook 'possum;
Charlotte seq he, an he comes over
ter de hyarth whar I wuz standing;
Charlotte, Ise bin unsettled in my
mine about you fur some time, but
Use concluded on de intimation now,
'o'' SEE he, will you marry me?"
And did you say yes at once?" I
asked, hoping to hear of some exhibl.
lion of proper spirit.
"Yessum," said Charlotte.
when do you intend to be mar
.ied?"
Week after Mex I lowed ez II wuz
good plan ter hev hit right away
fore he he'd time ter change his
mind"
"Oh, Charlotte" I cried, "you
'ughtn't to be so suspicious"
Miss Mary" said Charlotte, "ef I
vuz good lookin' like you IL, ! reckon
wouldn't be, but bein' ez hit is, Use
wine ter hurry things up"
Have you told Priscilla YETI"
'No'm;" and into her eyes came a
Jet and determined look, "but I'se
ald off in my mind ter tell her terday
m dere amt no use of her rarin
'elder, kase Use gwnc ter marry
lincoln, no matter what he ma sez."
arose and invited Charlotte in
oors and when she departed short
while later she carried bundle of
ny cast-of 6nery with her.
VII ner way out OF the yard she |
topped at the kitchen to break her
rnel tIdlngs to Priscilla; mean
While had fed to the flower garden.
Or | knew Priscilla would soon seek
ne out to rave against Charlotte, and
hoped thereby to escape her. Vain
hought! ! was stretched at full
.ngth on bench, staring up through
he sweet-olive branches at the blue.
lue sky beyond, when the garden
ate banged violently, and down the
ath, her head handkerchief tilted to
ne side, and her eyes flaming, came
incoln's mother.
PRISCILLA" | said, as she reached
lie, collecting my moral strength to
rapple with her, II suppose you have
lshed out here to abuse Charlotte TO
'e' but as ] have not the slightest in
,ntlOn OF listening IN vou vou m;.Lk