The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-06-23
Ths Crasinsss Of Jacob RIonasuith
By Gulielma zOllinger.
em@AeA@ASa@ a@AoA3ateaS

NIL HEN Mr.. Jacob Monasmith took
Wv the helm of the Dwigans fam
ily as husband to the widow and step
father of her children, various opin-
ions in regard to the matter were ex-
pressed by the citizens of Ganabrant.
The town had taken note of the out
goings and incOmings, 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-
tiOn. For although DR.. Dwigans had
left them decent provision, they
were now destitute, and none Of the
family seemfd to have any intention
fof mendi their circumstances if
wq-7 was a eonditionaQr precedent.
''There's five Of them, counting the
widow" remarked old Peter Havens,
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
crazyl"
"Oh, wen, responded Mr., Havens'
sister, "Jacob's got sense, but he has
no power Of observation. That's what
ails him. Powers Of observation were
denied him, and he hasn't noticed the
children nor how they act"
Now, there's that 17-yearold Sam
mie undersized little runt that's
smoking cigarettes continually" re
sumed Mr.. Havens. SIS he going to
call Jacob father, and act respect
fully? Not much he ain'tl He calls
him Old Monasmith already. Jacob
won't be the one to make man out
Of Sammie. Looks kind of coneeited
in him to be trying it, to my mo-
ton.
The elderly sister now moved hur-
riedly to the window, and looked out
upon short figure she had caught
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
a cigarette in his mouth. His pale
and sallow skin seemed only differ
7 emit shade from his taffy-colored hair,
Rnd his hands SSssea thrust into his
trousers pockets. AS Hiss Hayens
looked, her expression changed from
curiosity to indignation.
aThat's sammie!" she said to her
brother 'He said he wasn't going to
be to the wedding, and he amt"
aIf 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.. Havens. That's what
I should have wanted him to say if
I'd have been Jacob, which / thank
goodness 4 amt"
Now, the Widow Dwigans was ex-
tremely comely, and Miss Havens sud
denly turned an enlightened gaze
upon her brother. 81 believe you wish
you were Jacob" she observed.
aNot muchl" protested the elderly
man, while his face flushed. II
W4AAAAab z nave tAAC WAAuWi Atub ~ 8AAc
was twice as good-looldng as she is-
with that there Sammie for a stepson,
Not muck, wouldn't have him step
soning 1t around mel Haven't I juss
been telling you chat Jacob Mona
smith IS plumb crazy to do as he's do
ing to-day? And would be doing
what think is crazy in another
man3a
81 don't know returned Miss Ha-
Vens. Some men d0."
Mr.. Havenss knowing from past ex-
parfence that when he discussed men
with his sister he was apt to get the
worst Of it. now rose abruptly from
his chair and feft the room
sGraeious mel" reelected the spins
ster, after be had gone. He q step
father and me stepaunt to that Same
miel"
Meanwhile sammie loafed and
amoked aeaauily The marriage went