Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-09-06

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preaching accuracy. He had done lit
tie else but study it since its re-
ceipt 1t was from a young lady at
Tunkerton. 1t told him that she be-
lieved he was precisely the sort of
man she wanted. 1t told him to come
to Tunkerton on the first day of the
next month over the St. Paul road.
so that she would know he was com.
ing when she heard the train whistle,
and gave him careful directions for
finding the house where she was stay
ing.
Il s'pose," thought Emanuel, "that
She wants to compare us and take
her pick. 1t pears we've both struck
her pretty favor'ble. Well, reckon"
arising to look at himself in a cracked
mirror-"that l can hold my own,
and more, too. with Lem"
On the last day of the month Lem
uel came over to say good-by. He
found Emanuel washing his neck.
Coin, are you?" said Emanuel
"Well good luck to you"
"Thanks," said Emanuel. 81 wish
you was goin' to get a wife-some
sweet creature to love, cherish and
protect. wish
80, don't mind me-" said Emanuel.
scrubbing hard, his face we'll down
toward the basin. "I'll make out to
get along. Good-by to YOU
"Good-by," said Lemuel.
In the village of Tunkerton there
is long street running from one end
OF the village to the other. At one
extreme of this street is the station
Of the Milwaukee railway; at the 9TH
er extreme is the station of the ST.
Paul. At point nearly midway be-
tween the stations is small brown
house.
Lemuel knew the place we'll. AS a
boy and as young man he had Wis
tied i. often. and he was much inn
pressed by the coincidence that was
bringing him to visit it again. He
stopped behind tree at the corner
to wipe his face upon bandanna
handkerchief and to draw a long
breath before taking the final plunge
He wondered if she was peeping coy
ly from the window. and peered fur
lively around the tree. There was
no sign Of life about the small brown
house. But beyond the house, down
the street where the heat was rising
and falling in waves, he saw that
which caused him to catch his breat h
sharply. He dashed his hands across
his eyes, and looked again. 1t was
no delusion. Emanuel Croster, gently
springing up and down. was coming
from the opposite direction. There
was smile upon his face. and white
eyes We're upon the small brown
house. There was no doubt as to his
purpose.
; 1t came to Lemuel like flash that
Emanuel had been false to him
Emanuel had repaid his kindness b.
vile treachery. Lemuel's blood boilec
within him. He went forward quick
ly his face darkened by frown. hi:
huge fist doubled. At the gate the,
met. Lemuel spoke not a word
Emanuel opened his lips as if tc
speak. but Lemuels fist chuggcd the
words down his throat. The blow
was sufficient. had the distance beer
better judged, to have sent Emanue
into long sleep. AS it was. it mere
ly Jared him. He grunted. and RAISED
one of his feet, implanting a kicl
upon Lemuel's Sunday trousers. The1
they clinched, rolling in cloud O
dust.
The door of he small brown house
opened suddenly, and woman raj
!. to the gate.
"Gentlemen." she called to TIL.
twisting widowers. "Gentlemen!"
The dust settled gradually. Their.
was sound of putting and blowing
Then two perspring. dnst-smeared
, bloody faces became visible, each smil
ing grotesquely. Lemuel retained hi
hold upon the collar of Emanuel
uel's hair.
"Gentlemen. l."
The woman was unable to contro
herself longer. She broke into
laugh that sounded in the dust-fillet
, ears of the two widowers like the crack
my vi q liuiiipVl VI b1)o!IiS. ! lt
sat as if paral wed. their mouths open
At length the woman spoke.
: "Gentlemen-O. YOU fools. Ddn'
you think | knew twas you. Len
: Bicketts. and you. Man Croster?? Bill
Spriggs told me all about it. Hin
and mes goin to be married nex
week. O-you-fools:"
= She laughed again. and Lemue
arose dazedly to his feet Elnanue
arose also. They gazed speechlessl.
at Lemuels divorced wife for one lon!
minute. Then they gazed at eacl
, other. Inyountarily their hands me,
Come on. Man" said Lemuel
x ''Iou bet" said Emanuel
And they trudged briskly ava
. through the dust. the sound of laugh
y ter following them. In seclude
place near the railroad they stopped
: and threw themselves upon tn
ground. Lemuel broke the silence.
Her. he groaned. 20. Lord
She's got $3.50. made while she wa
subsstin' on my bounty. She's