The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-11-01

but the mail must be delivered"
All Of the old carriers found It health
Ter to resign than to stay. Finally we
heard that a woman had II, and we
Just howled In the complaints But no
one else wanted the job and they tried
her. Now we're all In love with her.
She hain't missed one day and never
forgets a thing. She'll do anything
to accommodate and does lots OF err
rands for folks out O kindness"
Cousin Mac was smiling dreamily as
he walked onward. His cousin eyed
him little eurlously and enviously.
MAC, doggone you. you're ten years
older n me an have got more youth
You hain't got an old look. I'm q
dried-up pumpkin beside YOU. What's
your secretg Is It Ohio air or is IL
money!"
Both, laughed Cousin Mac "but J
do not know my own secret II there Is
one. am always expectant ! often
feel that all life has not come 70 me
yet. am always expecting to open
door somewhere and ind what is
missing"
'Whewl" said Enos; 4 can under
stand aomewhat--only I been standin'
on one side OF a door with the poor
house on the other, ever since was
boy. Your money comes easy"
Perhaps" said Cousin Mac, switch
ing the grass, but you've got good
wife and some fine children. am
nearing nfty and alone. You have
your compensations MY great house
Is pretty lonely, tell you"
"Weli. there's women achin' to come
in and dust the parlor furniture for
you" grlnned Enos. but we are not
SO full up with single women out here
as IN the east We're going to line
EN- all up for you. though. and that's
why we're pushln' along to catch the
widow before those mustangs OF hers
move her on at the pace they seem TO
enjoy"
The maiihox was nailed on 70 a large
post at the side Of the gate. Enos
mounted the gate and began to whit
tie as II he was a boy.
1--WE bet Jim Anderson a pig that
the widow is good-Iookin'. Mac" he
said; "but Jim holds that no pretty
woman would wear such disguisin
bunnets. Last winter It looked like
she had an everlasting Jaw ache and
this summer her voice comes out OF
calico tunnel"
Cousin Mac laughed loud.
rs she young2"
Young enough to master two fire.
eaters Of mustangs Young enough to
be soft and gentle. Young enough to
get into Beefeater's Terror down at
Schuyler two years ago when her
husband was shot and collar the man
who did Il until the sheriff came. They
said he beat her and starved her any
how, but she was war to the knife on
the killin'. They hanged the fellow
and she hadn't a dollar TIN she got this
mail route. She's clear grit all the way
through, Is Mrs Polly Elder"
What" cried Cousin Mac.
Mrs. Polly Elder-hut Pauline FL
der is what her papers said-Polly
suits Der, somehow. she Is so comfort
able Now, Mac. hain't done a thing
to you. What are you loohn' at me
that way lor27
His cousin laid a shaking hand on
bis arm.
sEnos. did you never hear?'
Heart Hear what, MacT
About Jessie. my wife that's dead,
parting Pauline Lee from me.
thought everybody knew
Enos drew a long breath.
by gumi Welll"
Before either Of us got 70 the truth
Of the matter she married a man BY
BE name Of Elder-Folsom Elder-and
went to Chicago and the west, mar.
ried Jessie for The sake Of peace.
And yop think this here Polly ID.
der Is your old sweetheart BY guml'
1T may not be; it may not be. But
she was So fun Of spirit-too much
spirit 10 be sensible sometimes-bui
o. such 4 bright creature. nevei
have been the same. never. Enos.
Fnos regarded the distance and the
man in turn.
~rm thinkin' the widow win have
20 do away with disguises on thii
trip. be said. musingiy. but bow 4