Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-21

like to have you around, TOT you are
a pretty fair Teller to talk to. and as
say. I'd hate nightly to spoil your
head. -Yousmay say that I'm unnatur-
al, but I'm natural for me, and can't
live nobndy's life but mine. Folks
have said that I'm little wrong in my
mind, and mebby am, but nobody has
ever said that Iuisa liar, and when |
tell you that I'll put bullet through
your head you'll believe 1t, won't you
Yes, / believe it: but love the girl
SO that / am about ready to take the
risk" Eng
That's putty fair@sainDae OF love.
young man, and Fms9ruther proud OF
you, but I'VE made UP my mind. ana
Ill have to shoot yousif you run away
with her. / reckon ! am jest little
crazy on this point. BY the way.
slightly changdn' the subject. you bet
ter come over and eat Christmas din
ner with us.
THAT was the day we had set to get
married"
so? Well, you might eat your din
nei. first and cut your capers after
ward.
Mr. Purdy, cant fetch myself
down TO the belief What you are in
earnest It's so unnatural. Why. there
amt a person in the world that would
believe that such a man as you ever
existed"
He got up and stood in front of the
old fellow. Purdy looked up at him
with a cold smile, The young man
shook his head. ~
|. Yes" he agreed. ''you must mean
| it. for / see thefrost in the corners Of
your mouth.
The old man nodded. Your eye
Sight is good" he said.
Il bslieve you would shoot me even
| if you Knew it would break your
daughters heart
Your judgment is keen" said the
old man.
The young fellow turned away. Az
the corner of the house ne saw the girl.
She ran to him. He drew i1er further
off lest the Old snan might hear. They
stood under tree.
Your father is crazy" he said. He
says If we marry ne will kill me-
She pat her arms abou, his neck.
IF he said so. he will she replied.
| You must go away and not see me
again until
'.UnIil he dies" The young man sug-
gestea.
'Oh. don't say that; it is SO cold
blooded." she pleaded.
It's not as cold blooded as ii would
| be to put bullet through my head. !
acknowledge that I'm dead in love
with you, but don't want to die. But
le'l us wait. Something might happen.
| 1t always does
Il will think of PLAN" she said.
At night the father and the daughter
sat by the fire. The first cold rain of
| the season had begun TO fall. The
wind was bowling. The girl sat on a
low stool. with her hands clasped over
her knees, gazing into the fire.
| What are you thinkin' about" the
old man asked.
| About him." she answered.
There's good deal of him. and +:
will take a good While to think him all
over. Fine head he's got, and III would
be a pity to put a bullet through 1T
She shuldered. Was ever a girl 81
wretchedly placed?" she said finding a
of her situation. IF you will agree to
kill us both l will marry him."
NO. l can't do that he replied. Il
think too much of you. and besides this
affair must be settled with one bullet
l. She looked up at him. Then you
! wouldn't shoot at him but once" shl
said.
why should shoot at him twice:
If THE first shot don't fetch him TT
ready to agree he's immortal. Why
You know l kin shoot a squirrels eye
out as far as l kin see him.
For a long time she was silent. with
a smile on her lips. After time she
said, Il wonder that somebody dom
}put you in a book, you are so strange
/ I'D shoot man in a mint if he was
to put me in a book
IF you were to shoot at man AND
miss him the people would laugh al
you, wouldn't they? And if you hat
to shoot twice it would be siisgrace
wouldn't
4 He laughed an insane chuckle
'.There ain't no danger of me eve,
shootin' twice. he. said. WHY. if
was Ito miss the first time l would deny
that /. had ever shot
/ The girl went ITO bed singing. The
next day she went over to the woods
j where Boyers was at work.
4x Y on must come and take Christina
f9innerSWith u.s. she said. Don't ash
me any questions, for haven't time to
falk.S N6me and believe that every
ching Vslltherght.'
Is HIS eyes danced with delight.
Hat4y0n won him over?' he asked
He Coa1le, and edo ans I tell you sh9
i 1Enghed, and ran away.
6shnistmas day fell two days later
4 Theta Bile was spread. The old man
!! sat by the fire. The girl stood in the
4 open door. looking out over the valley
/ Hes coMinS; she said
! .Whn2". ehe old man asked.
+ .ffims sM replied. smiling.
OH that teller. .rSo he lowed he'd
come. did heg Well, all right"
Pap, I Wish you8would give him 10
me for a Christmas present
sEs You can have him, but when give
him TO you. he won't be fit for nothin'
but aburySn'."
The girl stepped out as Boyers en-
4 tered the yard.
Come" she cried, I'VE are going to
i run away. Here, take me-" He stood
4 Sfllnid LOOKING a hap ssRnn \