Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-05-18
The Greatness of Jacob Monasmith
!. BY Gulielma Zollinger.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
N1HEN Mr.. Jacob Monasmith took

w the nelm OF the DWlganS lam
ly as husband to the widow and step
father of her children, various opin-
Ons in regard to the matter were ex-
pressed by the citizens of Ganabrant.
The town hadetaken note of the out
Goings and mornings, the uprisings
and downsittings of the Dwigans
family for two years, and felt COM
petent to express itself. And with
very few exceptions its comment was
unfavorable.
1t was two years since Mr.. Dwig-
ans died, and for many months it had
been felt in the town that the man
who succeeded him as head of the
family would take hazardous posi-
ton. For although DIR. Dwigans had
left them a decent provision. they
were now destitute, and none of the
family seemed to have any intention
of mending their circumstances if
work was a condition precedent.
There's five of them, counting the
widow" remarked old Peter Ravens,
on the wedding morning. "And for
two years they've been wanting all
they saw and buying all they want
ed. It's surprising they amt desti-
tuter than they be, and it's my belief
that Jacob Monasmith is plumb
crazy!"
"Oh, WE'LL" responded Mr.. Ravens
sister, Jacobs got sense, but he has
no power of observation. That's what
ais him. Powers of observation were
denied him, and he hasn't noticed the
children nor how they act"
'Now, there's that 17-year-old Sam
mie-undersized little runt that's
smoking cigarettes continually" re-
sumed Mr.. Ravens. 'Is he going to
call Jacob father and act respect
fully? Not much he amt! He calls
him Old Monasmith already. Jacob
won't be the one to make a man out
of Sammie. Looks kind of conceited
in him to be trying it, to my no
son.
The elderly sister now moved hur-
riedIy to the window, and looked out
upon a. short figure she had caught
a glimpse of coming up the street.
Yes, there came Sammie, his air one
of bravado, which he thought manly.
his hat on the back of his head, and
cigarette in his mouth His pale
and sallow skin seemed only differ
ent shade from his taffy-colored hair,
and his hands were thrust into his
trousers pockets. AS Miss Ravens
looked, her expression changed from
curiosity to indignation.
'That's Sammie!'' she said to her
brother. HE said he wasn't going to
be to the wedding, and he amt"
eff he'd said he wasn't going to be
to the house after the wedding, it
would have been more to the point
responded Mr.. Ravens. That's what
I should have wanted him to say if
I'd have been Jacob, which l thank
goodness l ain t."
Now, the Widow Dwigans was ex-
tremely comely, and Miss Ravens sud-
denly turned an enlightened gaze
upon her brother. 81 believe you wish
you were jacob she observed
Not much!' protested the elderly
man, while his face flushed. 81
wouldn't have the widow. not if she
was twice as good-looking as she is
with that there Sammie for a stepson
Not much / wouldn't have him step
soning it around me! Haven't I just
been telling you that Jacob Mona
smith is plumb crazy to do as he's do
ing to-day? And would 1 be doing
what 1 think is crazy in another
man?"
Il don't know" returned Miss Ha-
venS. Some men do.
Mr.. Havens, knowing from past ex.
perience that when he discussed men
with his sister he was apt to get the
worst of it, now rose abruptly from
his chair and left the room.
Gracious me!'' reflected the spin
ster, after he had gone. HE a step
father and me stepaunt to that Sam
miel''
Meanwhile Sammie loafed ant
smoked defiantly. The marriage went
on and was done, and the newly we'd
ded pair, with the three daughters OF
the bride, sat down to a feast the like
of which had not been in that house fol
months.
This marriage took place in the
sspring, and as the summer advanced
and waned. Sammie grew more moody
and defiant. For Mr.. Monasmith haf
said to his wife: 81 do not approve Of
Sammie smoking cigarettes. They're
bad for him, whichever way you take
it. And I don't feel it my duty to pro
vide him the money to buy them with.
Mrs Monasmith, who was very hap
py with her new husband, submitted (;
his decision, and Sammie, who nigh
otherwise have buliied her into fur
nishing him cigarette money. saw tina
she was adamant to all his coaNins
and scolding. He might have worked
and earned his money, but work fol
himself was something of which Sam
mic did not approve.
The town of Ganabrant had mo-
failed to watch with interest Mr.. Mona
smiths career as a stepfather.
"There'S one thing" said old Mr.