The Lambertville record., 1902-09-24
A White
Mans
Choice
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
By Martha
M'Cuiloch-
Williams
Copyright. 1901, bp Martha
MeCSilloch- " alidms

Hsv~rywwTVuTwvywTV Observation-Disclosures
Jimmy Marion was no great shakes
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
ther's ward Cressy 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 GO"
They We're riding up hill Cressy's
whiplash whined accompaniment to
her words Jimmy had talent for
saying nothing, still as he came with
In easy hail he piped amiably, "Cress.
l been wonderln' all this mornin II
you won't never learn better'n TO gal
lop horse up hill"
I've been wondering II you Will ever
learn anything" Cressy retorted. slash.
ing savagely at a 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
go your own gait
''If you've tired OF me, I'll 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 II been
KNOWN all the way you felt bad. an
| reckon | know whut about"
you don't What is it2" Cressy an,
swer, Il all in breath. Jimmy laughed
TRANQUILITY. Il fetched you letter yis-
tiddy eyenin-a letter frum Charley"
"What business have you TO know
that?" Cressy demanded Hes com.
in today. That's why | am runnin'
away"
"Ef 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 dc
of me-"
you ought TO hate him. Why don't
your Cressy demanded, Jimmy stared
Hate him" he repeated slowly. WAY
should | hate him? lie can't help be.
in whut he is-smart an bright an
good lookin'-no more'n | can help be-
in what | am"
"And whut Is that?' Cressy asked
crisply Jimmy drew deep breath.
"a born fool" he said humbly. But
got sense enough to know 1t. All
can do Is TO be n real white man, an
1t amt white to hate Char-anybody
better Off"
"You are worse than a born fool-a
made one" Cressy cried passlonateIy.
AN you wont stand up for yourself
You won't even say YOU love me-you
drive me to tell you | know it,
You 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
Il do love-the place." Cressy inter
rupted, a smile dawning In her stormy
eyes. "An' 1t has belonged to the Mar
ions ever sence the Indians went
away
81 know" Jimmy said wistfuliy, 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 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, love you
all know how. but don't you let that
count if-if you loye-anybody else"
They were nearing roadside gate.
As Cressy went through 1t she said,
with her head very high: Go home.
Jimmy, an give Charley his answer.
Tell him | 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.
all his hale ruddiness changed to ashen
gray. Charley had come and sat at
Squire Marion's desk. his pen racing
over a sheet of legal cap. Without
looking up, he called: Saddle me
fresh horse, Jimmy. The best you've
got. The minute this is signed l must
ride like the devil"
~ dnI
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 for
$4,000! ] trusted Gill like my own
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
deed of gift, Jimmy. Uncle Jim makes
over to you everything-land, money,
stock and crops"
"Whut forT Jimmy asked, his eyes
wide. Charley laughed shortly. For
the best of reasons-to save himself
from beggary and keep roof over his
head. But I've written 1t down for
consideration of 81. love and natural
affection. Sign, quick. Uncle Jim. I'm
less this goes on record before Gill Ma
gees pranks get wind, 1t will be worth
less than the paper it's written on"
"Oh, It's hardr' the old man moaned.
'In my old age too. never did think
could be brought to any Of them COW
erin up tricks. I've been SO proud to