, 1900-11-27


for himself alone, an not fer his name
and wealth should be rewarded.
Wal, we spliced the very next day.
Comm home from Parson Smoat's.
whar the knot was tied. we met Sal
Patton. | sent a proud smile at her.
an she busted out in er giggle, an jist
kept 1t up till we rode out O. hearin'.
now, stranger.
That night he told me the story the
stranger had. | tole him | was almost
sorry he was great an wealthy. [
feared | would be away out of place as
a grand lady. He said. No, my little
pet, you would adorn the palace of err
emperor
The next day he proposed that we
go back to his wealthy home in Ten
nessee. | consented. of course, an he
commenced contractin' the sale of all
my stuff for ready money. He went
to town and contracted my terbacker
at a good figger."
Here the poor woman brought the
apron to her eyes again, and held it
these for more than a minute.
Yesterday afternoon. | started u
to hunt one of the cows hat had laid
out fer a night or so. | wandered over
the hillside, down to the road, but
couldn't find her. About a mile
above here, when, lookin' through
a hole in the brush. caught
sight of my husband an a stranger,
laughin' an talkin' under a tree jist
across the road from whar stood. |
don know why, but strange suspicious
come up in me when l seed 'em Their.
an 1 crept down through the thick
bresh, jist as easy till l got whar
cud see 'em plain, an hear every word
they spoke. The stranger was the man
who had stopped at my house that day
an give my man sich a fine pedergree.
They was comparin' notes an maxim
other plans.
81 will have all her stuff converted
into ready money in ten days sed my
men-thet thing-'then III make an
excuse to git of with it, an jine you
where you say
THE gal I've got battered said the
other, is err heightened sort Of gal.
She's got lots OF stuff. A monied man
don't catch her. Big family is what
she's after. Make me a grandson of
Robert E. Lee and the favorite nephew
Of Stonewall Jackson when you stop
to boost me up. That will clinch her.
That will spill $1,000 in our pockets
the best pile since l got you married
to that Georgia wilder as the son in
disguise of Lord Lansdowne.
We'll, sir, stranger, that kind O.
talk went on till 1t vas plain as A. B..
Abs the bizness they follered. I
never hearn Of nc SIGH err perfession
before. They worked tergether in
foolin' orphan gals an widders with
cash. One would go ahead an spark
a gal, the other would foller on in a
few weeks an make the first ont to be
SIGH a mighty man in wealth or sta
ton as would make the woman fear
he msut die suddin. afore she cud git
battered to him! It was all l cud do
to keep from KILN 'ep both. l had
a pistol. an l jist had to worry, in
prayer. that the Lord would make the
cup of murder pass. Hit passed. an l
sed nothin' till this morning, and you
hearn enough then.
"All l want isi that you will not go
of an tell that Pm a cruel-hearted
woman. An know you can't think l
done much wrong arter all I've tole ".
Wasn't 1t enough to rile me, stranger?
Wal. l arter be thankful any how. My
property amt sold, thank God! an
I've learned sumthini. No more wealth
an greatness in disguise for me! Ole
Widderwer Jim Stacy will do. He's
got a good farm. lots Of stock. an .
big. lovin'. honest heart. ef he does
wear No. ISIS on his kidney feet"