The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-06
JUJAV OR KEZLHlH.2
Bv LAURENCE PERRY

in. How air ye?" And the judge seat
| Of his destiny.
about as we'll as a man.kin be with a
passel Of women folks about him all the
time" grumbled Zebulon, filing his pipe.
| whats the matter Of 'em?" Querted
the judge, apparently unconeerned.
| MATTER" snorted Zebulont Matter?
Why, everything's the matter-sewin' So
cieties, housecleanin', vsitin, church.
| prayer metin', entertainin' the parson an
| talk talk, talk nothin' but talkin' from
| sunrise to supper. Bah! Women is well
enough in their places, but three on 'em
| is too derned much Two 'em old
! maids, too! Why don't Providence send
! some one to marry EN-? It amt right,
| it's agin natur, for one man to be pes
tered So
"Un-waal, that is kind O. bad, Zeb.
I'm sorry they've riled We, because I was
| jest a-goin' to ask yer honest opinion
| which one to pick out. I'm a-goin' to git
married if kim" And Judge Crane blew
| his nose vigorously. -"
"Arrump! Huh!' Zebulon sat up. The
judge sat with his jaws tight shut and his
eyes stared fxedly into the road Zebu-
Ion snorted again and regained his self
control. Had heaven smiled on him at
last? Had he said too much? He knew
whom he wished married. KeZiah would
do, but Susan was the one to whose we'd
ding he would dance all the way. He
recalled her mastery ways, her trenchant
tongue. Was it to be stilled for him by
the bonds Of matrimony? He turned to
the judge.
WAL" he said, drawing his handker-
chief across his eyes, IT kin talk an
growl but when the pinch comes, jedge,
don't see how I kin live without 'em.
Keziah is good, jedge, but Susan, she is
the one for We. I know. She wants to
git married. She said herself twould
soften her. although Lord knows she don't
need it. She's good an kind an lovin.
an she's got good strong mind a good
strong mind. Vas, sir; recommend Su-
san," concluded Zebulon
We'll" said the Judge, we ought 70
know, zeb Wants to get married. does
she? WAL, she would "a been long ago
had I not been afeared to ask her. I'm
scared yet, Zeb, to tell the truth. What
I want is the ice broken, eh?'
zebulon was too overjoyed to stop at
anything which might strengthen the
judge in his quest. He actually offered
to take the judge to his sister, state the
case and then leave the two alone. For
reply the Judge rose decidedly to his feet.
Come" he said.
So they trudged along the road together.
zebulon quietly radiant, the judge stern
and determined.
Ten minutes later they entered the APP
came from the parlor.
'She's in there whispered Zebulon,
and he pushed open the door and entered
with his hand reaching back holding the
skirt of the judges coat
Both were there-Keziah and Susan.
How de do, jedge?" they exclaimed,
rising. But the judge made reply by push
ing Zebulon forward.
''Susan," said Zebulon, flushing Euiltily.
He knew Susan could see right through
him. SUSAN he repeated, ah-ahem.
The jedge here-well-ah-"
well, all what?" exclaimed Susan, with
sharp, impatient Infection.
1.-The jedge," repeated Zebulon weagly,
wal, I brung him here-O Lor'!'' and
Zebulon dashed for the door. He stopped
at the sill and pointing at the judge add
ed, The jedge, Sue, there he ISL Then
he disappeared.
The judge was frozen into a dignified
statue. He could see now that it was
Susan, but he dared not. Suddenly he
thought Of Matilda. Al, she would break
J the ice for him. Matilda! His face
} flushed.
} Ladies'" he said in sepulchral tones,
will We kindly inform yer widowed sis
ter Matilda that I desire to see her?
Alone" he added.
The sisters swept out Of the room. con-
ident that Zebulon and the judge had
suddenly gone crazy. Then Matilda en-
tered. She proffered her hand in vel
come and the judge seized it as a drown
| ing man grasps at straw. He held on.
Here at least was something tangible.
And then-well, Susan was not half SO
tangible. Matilda!
T the parlor. The Judge was very close to
Matilda and he was holding her hands.
Everything was very still.
"Well, I'll be derned" said zebulon.