Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-01-04

strike out for myself. As far as my edu-
cation is concerned, l don't think | shall
ever give your daughter occasion to be
ashamed of me, and as to supporting her
comfortably and in becoming style, | be
lieye l shall be abundantly able to do so,
and
Cant help that, jerry broke in Mr..
johnson. 81 hain't goin ter have We lug
gin May off jest because We two young
folks imagine yer in love. A woman is Il
mighty queer an onsartin sort of c1'ter
anyhow, as y~ll find ont soon enough
when ye git hooked up in double harness
fer life with one of EN-, an if I was in yer
place | wouldn't be in any hurry bout
takin a yoke Of that kind on my shoulders.
Anyhow if ye insist OF gittin married
in spite of my warnin yell halter pick
out some other pardner besides the enc
we'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 Iuen. She'll forgit we by that
time fast enough, 80 We might as well give
up all hope right now of ever gittin her.
1 like We well enough other ways, Jerry,
but l ont care fer We in the role of SON
in-law. There, now, we've got yer answer
fair an square, an if We want to stay an
work o the balance of yer time we'll
drop the love bizness right here an I'll
treat &c as well as ever. But il We don't
care to stay under the circumstance it is
all right, an I shan't blame ye any fer go
in. Now, which is it to be, Jerry, stay
or quits"
''In stay, said Jerry quietly.
And stay he did, performing his duties
as c~onscientiously and thoroughly as ever,
although the farm life suddenly grew sor-
did and dull when May went back to her
college studies.
The months rolled swiftly around, how
ever, as months have a habit of doing, un-
til Is of them had been crossed off the cal
endar of time. Then May, as bright and
winsome as of old, came home with her
dimples and diploma, and, though he did
not aver dare to look his admiration, Jer-
ry was straightway transported to para
disc.
Jerry's term Of service finally expired,
and he regretfully announced that the
time had come for him to strike out in
life for himself.
THAT'S SO, jerry" said Farmer John
son. II had clean forgot bout yet two
years bein up today. Waal, III look over
accounts an settle up with We after dinner,
an in the meantime We kin be lookin round
an sorter maxim up yer mind which one of
the critters on the place We want. ] be-
lieve ye was to take yer choice when We
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 disconsolately
from the window and whispered a qucs-
ton in her ear. For an instant her eyes
met his. Then she rose with a smile,
placed her hand c%onf1dingly in his and to-
gether they faced her father.
"This is my first and only choice, - ex-
claimed Jerry, with a ring Of mingled
pride and triumph in his tones.
but ye can't do that-'tain't in the
agreement. I said c%ritter, not wimmen
folks, an l hain't goin to allow no SUCH
"Just Il moment, if you please, Mr..
Johnson y interrupted Jerry Brant, draw
ing himself erect, with proudly flashing
eyes and still retaining Mays hand.
"Hayen't I heard you allude to the wom-
VII "a 4uCCi CEltUCIs, COlicuIlicu CFlCItfS,5
plaguey critters, and l don't know how
many other kinds of critters during the
past two years and upward that l have
been with you?'
eyes, I s'pose We have" acknowledged
Mr.. johnson, ''but-er''-
IAN right, sir, " interposed Jerry brisk
ly. You promised me the best critter on
the place, and this is the one l want, and
the only one"
Farmer johnson gazed at the handsome
and smiling young couple before him in a
half indignant, half indulgent sort Of way
for a moment, and then the latter feeling
got the better of the struggle and he
quietly remarked:
"Waal, a bargain is a bargain, an |
s'pose I'll halter keep my word. But I
say, young man. and Mr.. Johnson's eyes
twinkled mischievously, "don't ye think
We sorter missed yer vocation, not bein a
lawyer instead of a farmer9'-Wil S.
Gridley in Chicago Record.