The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-03-26

l had been living in the neighborhocd
Of the mountains one Summer, until
had become SO well acquainted with the
people of that immediate section as to
be taken into their councils aud looked
to for advice OH all sorts of questions,
even i'll domestic matters. The one
most important involved the fate of two
lovers. Jim Sallers was counting
Marti,y Little, and everybody thought
it was Just the right thing except
Marthy's mother, and she had opposed
it from the beginning. The girls father
was perfectly satisfied and did what he
could to win his wife over. but she was
obdurate aud would listen to no persua-
sion. l had talked to her once or
twice, but it did no good and.I gave it
up. Jim and l had been on terms all
along and advised him to run Off with
Marthy and trust to luck for the bal
auce. He was a thrifty young fellow,
sober and Industrious. and could get
along very well without the maternal
blessing. seeing that everybody else
was pleased, but he did not care to do
so if there was any chance of winning
the mother. At last Ito agreed that If
NAAos ALILllo Nllu ' CUtllC dlOluu WlLlllu u
week, he would pick Marthy up and run
away with her, I agreeing to lend him
what extra money lie might need, as lie
had Il good creek farm and would have
plenty when his crops came in. With
this assurance fro.m Jim | went back to
Mrs. Little. +.
II know what you've come fer,
Colonel. and it amt no use talkin'," she
said as soon us | got into the house.
"My dear madam" l replied. Il must
talk to you. I've seen Jim and ms sure
rs you arc alive. he will run off with
Marthy and marry her, whether you
want him to or not, and it would be so
much better if you would give your con-
sont and have it all done regular and as
it should be-"
@Well,I tell You I won't give my con.
sent. and that ends it." she said hotly.
Il don't keer what anybody and overy.
body says, ! amt n goin' to say lie kin
marry her."
"But that Is childish" said L "You
won't give your consent just because
you don't want to and for no other
reason"
ave got my reasons" she answered
doggedly.
Well, tell me what they are"
She got up and went to the door and
around the house and then back again.
Il wuz lookin' to see if there wuz any
body about" she said rs she resumed
her place, "and ez they amt. I'll tell
you my reasons cf you'll promise you
won't tell"
l gave the promise readily aud she
went on after a bit:
1--WE knowed Jim SERGE he wuz q
baby and | knowed his daddy afore
him, she said. 'and they won't do to
fool with. Jim's all right and I'd like
to see Marthy married to him. but Jim's
that pesky. that eft he knowed me and
Marthy's pap and. Marthy wanted him
to marry her. he'd be craw-fsiin' in no
time and thar wouldn't be no weddin'.
But ex long CT he thinks somebody Is
ag'in him, he's goin' to take t'other
track and pull his way. Now you know
my reasons and l ain't-a-goin' to move
a peg outen the road fer nobody tillI'vo
got jim landed safe with Mnrthy down
thar on that farm NV his'n. Let him
run off with her eff he wanster aud whom
they come hack hitchel fer good, I'll
have an Unfair right here in my house
that will be the biggest one you eyer
hearn tell NV in these parts, Colonel. and
OF you ever tell on mo 1t won't be good
fer you. Now mind"
l minded, aud now Jim aud Marthy
have been married some time. and Jim
is SO well satisfied that even II l have
betrayed tho confidence of his respected
mothor-in-law, 1t viii not make any
great difference.-DetroN FREQ Press.