The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-10-23

wrote, in conclusion, 81 fear that We
fail to realize how thoroughly he il
spoiled. No doubt you will find this
out very soon. The moment you do
kindly return him to Mr.. Barclay, to be
left until called for"
Miss Laura Garman briefly acllnowl.
edged Brother Jim's letters, promising
to faithfully abide by all its conditions
and thanking Jim for acceding to hel
request.
So Brother Tom was ensconced In
the Garman household, and, as his
many letters set forth, was having tLs
| time of his life. At least half of each
epistle was given UP to. this theme
while the other half was devoted to the
charms of Miss Laura.
"She's just the n girl for you.
JIM" he wrote in one of his daily
screeds, for Tom had become quite a
letter writer. 1t may have been
brought about by his weakened health
and possibly took the place of some
more boyish occupations; but 1t was
true that he had Brother Jim hustling
in the endeavor to keep up with his
busy correspondent. You'd make a
stunin couple. Don't think line fool
in. Laura likes me so well that lime
pretty sure she would like you too. On
my account, of corse. Cant you come
down for a day or two?"
And Brother Jim, greatly amused,
would thank Brother Tom for his kind
wishes for his matrimonial welfare,
and assure him that it would be quite
impossible for him to get away just
at present.
And then one day the letter with the
familiar handwriting was a little bulk
Ter than usual. When he opened the
envelope a photograph dropped out.
1t was a portrait Of an unusually
pretty girl. Of course, this must be
Laura Garman. Brother Jim looked
at the portrait long and earnestly.
Brother Tom wasn't SO far wrong
when he praised this gentle-faced girl.
Brother jim. placed the photograph on
the desk where he could use it as a con-
frmation &C Brother Toms praises,
and then picked up the letter.
"I'ye been fishing for bullheads in
the pool" Brother Tom began, '.and
cot two-and n cot me. 1t didn't
hurt mulch and Laura tied it up with
her handkerchief. Ide know about
bullheads horns next time. l am send
ing you Laura's picthure. She don't
know it. 1 begged it from her yester-
day. l want you to get it framed up
nice and charge it to pa. Then when
she says, What did you do with my
picthoor, Tommy lie say line getin'
1t framed. Can't you come up and see.
a fellow, Brother Jim? II. b.. it don't
fiater her."
But Brother Jim seemed in no hurry
to have the framing contract carried
out. The picture fingered on his desk
just where he could catch sight of it
whenever he chose to look up.
.Dear Brother Tom" he wrote
in reply, Il am sorry the bullhead
horned you. No doubt if you We're a
bullhead you would have done the
same. l remember having some ex-
perience with bullheads myself, but
there was no charming young woman's
handkerchief to bind my wounds. BY
the way, that portrait you sent to
have framed reflects credit on your
taste. Miss Laura deserves all your
praise. She is a beautiful girl-and 1
am sure she is IS good as she is beau
tiful."
Two days later Brother Toms re-
l r1y, xxync u Yonasxya1 AXIS IT, nm q ,rr,,.,,o1lv.
brief. but to the point.
Brother JIM" he wrote. 81 showed
your letter to Miss Laura. My, how
she blushed. Say, can't you come up
next week. There's going to be a big
church picnic. Come sure"
Brother Jim scowled darby. Then
he chuckled. What a boy! The idea
of his showing the letter. What must
the girl think Of the liberty he took:
Still, there wasn't anything really
rude about II. But he must be more
! careful when he wrote hereafter.
Then he sent Tom a short note, II
which, h said it would be impossible
for him to attend the church picnic.
A few days later Brother Tom wrote
In a somewhat melancholy tone. H,
wasn't feeling quite SO well, he guessed
he missed his mother-and his father
too, and maybe he was homesick. H
wanted to see Brother Jim SO much
But IL Brother Jim couldn't come
would he send his photograph. I
would be some comfort, anyway.
Brother Jim was considerabl,
alarmed over this epistle. This pre-
cious young brother mustn't have
relapse. That would never do. So h
hastily wrote an encouraging note t
Brother Tom, in which Brother Tor
was advised to cheer up and be a ma,
and with the note he forwarded hi
photograph.
The answer anne back promptly, an
1t was again to the point.
Il shode your picthoor to Miss Laur
and she liked it. She made me ma
tho when she said you was better look
ing than me. N. b. I told her it flat
cred you, Can't you come up satul
day."
6 n~oIp.o -, EY:r. nno~r,1na " - cote ~