Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-10-15

oaNo HaoN NaO OAC 6hl VI lOu
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 occupation, but 1t was
true that he had Brother Jim hustline
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 line
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 r
when he praised this gentle-faced girl.
Brother Jim placed the photograph on
the desk where he could use it as a con-
trmation of Brother Toms praises
and then picked up the letter.
1--WE been fishing for bullheads in
the pool" Brother Tom began, land
cot two-and cot me. 1t didn't
hurt mulch and Laura tied it up with
her handkerchief. Ide know about
bullheads horns next time. | Am send
ing you LaSra's picthure. She don't
know it. l begged it from her yester-
Gay. | want you to get it framed ul
nice and charge it to pa. Then when
she says, What did you do with my
picthoor, Tommy? lie say line getin
it framed. Can't you come up and see
a fellow, Brother jim? N. b. it don't
f1ater 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 il
whenever he chose to look up.
Dear Brother Tom," he wrote
in reply, Il am sorry the bullhead
horned you. No doubt if you were q
bullhead you would have done tbs
same. | remember having some eX
perience with bullheads myself, buI
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
am sure she is as good as she is beau
tiful."
Two days later Brother Toms re-
ply was received. 1t was unusually
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 ur
next week. There's going to be a big
church picnic. Come sure"
Brother Jim scowled darkly. 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 it. But he must be more
careful when he wrote hereafter.
Then he sent Tom a short note, in
which he said it would be impossible
for him to attend the church picnic.
A few days later Brother Tom wrote
in a somewhat melancholy tone. He
wasn't feeling quite so well, he guessed
he missed his mother-and his father.
too, and maybe he was homesick. He
wanted to see Brother Jim so much.
Rut if Brother Jim couldn't come,
would he send his photograph. II
would be some comfort, anyway.
Brother Jim was considerably
alarmed over this epistle. This pre-
cious young brother mustn't have a
relapse. That would never do. So he
hastily wrote an encouraging note to
Brother Tom, in which Brother Tom
was advised to cheer up and be a mar
and with the note he forwarded his
photograph.
The answer came back promptly, and
it was again to the point.
81 shode your picthoor to Miss Laura
and she liked it. She made me mad
tho when she said you was better look
ing than me. N. b. l told her it fiat
cred you, Can't you come up Satur-
day."
Brother Jim scowled again and
laughed again. Really, this scallawag
Of a youngster wasn't to be trusted
with anything. Still, if Miss Garman
had any sense of humor she must find
him amusing. Then he looked up
suddenly at Miss Garman's portrait,
and it seemed as if a smile was hover
ing about the pretty mouth.
And then came another disquieting
letter from Brother Tom.
There's a fellow hanging round
here that I don't like" Tom wrote.
ut seems Miss Laura met him some
where and he cam to see her cos
he found out her father was away.
That's the way it seems to me. He's
got snaky eyes and a little black mus
fash and he laffs a crate deal. I
don't RELY think that Miss Laura
likes him much. But he's got such a
way of smilin' and sayin' soft things.
I'll bet he is no good. He called me a
cub the other day and Miss Laura
dident like it. I'm going to look after
her the best I kno now, but / wisht I
was a little older"
Two days later another disquieting
letter reached Brother Jim.
"That fellow is comm mor than
ever" Tom informed him. II think
there must be sumthing fascinating
about him, cause Miss Laura don't
seem able to tell him he amt wanted
herp He Ia in n awful hurry tOo. I