The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-07

strike out for myself. As far a. my
education is concerned, don't think
shall ever give your daughter occa-
sion to be ashamed of me, and as to
supporting her comfortably and In be-
coming style, believe l shall be
abundantly able to do SO, and"
Cant help that, jerry" broke in
Mr.. johnson. Il hain't gointer have
We luggin' May off Jest because 70 two
young folks imagine yer In love. A
woman is a 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 II l was In yer place
wouldn't be in hurry bout takin' q
yoke of that kind on my shoulders.
Anyhow, If ye insist on gittin'
married in spite Of my warnin', yen
halter pick out some other pardner
besides the one we've got yer eyes sot
on at present. Ny darter is goin' back
to college next week to finish up her
edyercation, an when she gifts through
her schoolin' 1t will be plenty time
enough fer her to commence thinkin'
bout the men. She'll forgit ye by
that time fast enough, so ye might as
well give up all hope right now Of
ever gittin' her. like We well enough
other ways, Jerry, but don't care fer
We in the role Of son-in-law. There,
now, we've got yer answer fair an
square, an eff ye want to stay an
work out the balance of yer time, we'll
drop the love bizness right here, an
I'll treat We as well as ever; but If ye
don't care to stay under the circum-
stances it is all right, an I 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
grew suddenly sordid and dull when
May went back to her college studies.
The months rolled swiftly around.
however. as months have habit Of
doing, until eighteen of them had been
crossed off the calendar Of time. Then
May, as bright and winsome as Of old,
came home with her dimples and d.
ploma, 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 in life for himself.
That's so, jerry" said Farmer
Johnson. II had clean forgot bout
yer two years bein' up to-day. Waal,
I'll look over accounts an settle up
with ye after dinner, an in the mean
time We kin be lookin' round an sort
er maxim up yer mind which one of
the critters on the place ye want. I
believe We was to take yer choice when
We quit"
WELL" said Jerry, promptly, at
won't take me long to make up my
mind"
Here he stepped quickly across tho
room to where May was gazing dis
from the window, and
a question in her ear. For
an instant her eyes met his; then she
rose, with a smile, placed her hand
in his, and together they
laced her father.
This is my first and only choice"
exclaimed Jerry, with ring Of
mingled pride and triumph in his
ones.
but We can't do that-'tain't in tho
agreement. I said critter, not VIM
nen folks; an hain't gointer allow
10 such"
"Just moment, II you please, Mr..
interrupted Jerry Brant,
lrawing himself erect, with proudly
flashing eyes, and still retaining Mays
hand. Haven't l heard you allude
o the women as queer critters, con-
armed critters, plaguey critters and I
|ont know how many other kinds of
ritters, during the past two years and
Upward that have been with your"
"Yes, l s'pose We have" acknowl-
dyed Mr.. Johnson, "but-er--"
"All right, sir" interposed Jerry,
risky. you promised rue the best
ritter on the place, and this is the
ne l want-and the only one
Farmer Johnson gazed at the hand
ONE and smiling young couple before
i'm in halt-indignant, half-indul-
ent sort of way for a moment; and
hen the latter feeling got the better
f the struggle and he quietly remark
d: |
WAL, a bargain is bargain, an /
pose I'll halter keep my word; but
say, young man." and Mr.. Johnson's
yes twinkled mischievously, don't ye
hink We sorter missed yer vocation,
OF bein' lawyer instead of a farm.
r."
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