The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-11-06
A White
Mans
Choice
By Martha
M'Culloch-
Williams
Copyright, 1901, by Martha
NcCulIOch- WlIidns
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

JIIlluy hdTiOu was uO great SudkeS.
In the mind of Brush Creek Jimmy
had but two redeeming qualities. One
was being his fathers son, the other
that he had wit enough to love his ia
theirs ward, Greasy Oliphant.
Upon summer morning Cressy
called to him over her shoulder: "Jim-
my, do come on! You are the slowest
old thing! And you know hate man
or horse without lots of CO."
They were riding up hill. Cressy's
whiplash whfned accompaniment to
her words. Jimmy had a talent for
saying nothing, still as he came~with-
in easy hail he piped amiably, "Cress,
been wonderin' all this mornin' If
you won't never learn betteEn to gal
lop horse up hill"
1--WE been wondering if youawill ever
learn anything" Greasy retorted, slash
ing savagely at near bush. Jimmy
opened his eyes. "Whut's the matter,
cross cat? he asked. you come rid
in with me-nobody didn't make you
an I've let you pick your own road an
60. your own gait
IF you've tired of me, III go on by
myself" Cressy said irritably, half
wheeling her horse. Jimmy kept be-
side her. you needn't try to run
| away frum me-" he said. 81 been
KNOWN all the way you felt bad, an
I reckon I know whut about"
"You don't! What is it," Cressy an
| Sxrnra6 oil in, hrnot 10
TRANQUILITY. 81 fetched you a letter yis-
tiddy evenin'-a letter frum Charley"
What business have you to know
thatY' Cressy demanded. Hes COM
in today. That's why l am runnin'
| away"
EFF he posters you, I'll make him go
| right back" Jimmy said promptly,
then his face fell. But it'll be sorter
awkward. Old Charles is all the own
cousin I've got. Pappy an nanny
think nigh as much of him as they do
Of me-"
you ought to hate him. Why don't
your Cressy demanded. Jimmy stared.
Hate himw he repeated slowly. why
should I hate him? He can't help be.
in whut he is-smart an bright an
| good lookin'-no more'n l can help be-
in what l am"
"And whut is thatY Cressy asked
crisply. Jimmy drew deep breath.
"A born fool" he said humbly. But I
got sense enough to know it. All I
can do is to be real white man, an
it amt white to hate Char-anybody
better off"
you are worse than a born fool-a
made one" Cressy cried passionately.
IAN you won't stand up for yourself.
You won't even say you love me-you
drive me to tell you l know it,
"Iou can't help but know it." Jimmy
broke in. You been KNOWN it ever
sence you were knee high. been fool
enough to think sometimes maybe you
might fetch yourself to take mean
the place.
II do love-the place." Greasy inter
rupted, a smile dawning in her stormy
eyes. can it has belonged to the Mar
ions ever sence the Indians went
away
II know" Jimmy said wistfully, "but
don't let that bother you, Cress. There's
! Jest US two of the name-Charles an
me. You needn't never leave-the
place-no matter whut happens. -
Then persuasively, Lets US leave all
this talk until next year"
"Charley is not so patient" Cressy
said, swallowing hard. "He insists up
on a definite answer today"
81 lay he don't get it-not until you
are good an ready" Jimmy said, with
a quick smile, patting her hand. Then
he ran on haltingly, ''Cressy, I love you
all know how, but don't you let that
count tiff you love-anybody else"
They were nearing a roadside gate
AS Cressy went through it she said
with her head very high: go home,
Jimmy, an give Charley his answer
Tell him l don't know-an' l don't
want to know"
As Jimmy went up the walk he saw
his mother at the sitting room win
dow, very white and moaning family
I He rushed inside. His father met him
all his hale ruddiness changed to ashen
gray. Charley had come and sat al
Squire Marions desk. his pen racing
over a sheet of legal cap. Without
looking up, he called: Saddle me a
fresh horse, Jimmy. The best you've
got. The minute this is signed / must
ride like the devil"
whats up?" Jimmy demanded. His
father clutched his shoulder, leaned
heavily upon it and gasped: "Son, son
we're on the edge Of ruin! Charley
found out early this mornin' that Gill
Magee had run away with all the coun
ty money! And me on his bond fol
$4,000! l trusted Gill like my OWL
brotherw
There, there, Uncle Jim," Charley
interposed. walls have ears some
times, and we must not leave one loop
hole in this precious document. It's q
deed of gift, Jimmy. Uncle Jim makes
over to you everything-land. money
stock and crops"
"Whut for?" Jimmy asked, his eyes
wide. Charley laughed shortly. "Fol
the best of reasons-to save himself
from beggary and keep a roof over his
head. But I've written it down for 8
| consideration of 81, love and natura