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

wrote, in conclusion, Il fear that VIZ
fall to realize how thoroughly he i;
spoiled. No doubt you will find thi:
out very soon. The moment you do
kindly return him to Mr.. Barclay, to bt
left until called for"
Miss Laura Garman briefly acknowl
edged Brother Jim's letters, promising
TO faithfully abide by all its conditions
and thanking Jim for acceding to hel
request. ~'~e
So Brother Tom was ensconced If
the Garman household, and, as his
many letters set forth, was having ttt
time of his life. At least half of each
epistle was given up to this theme
while the other half was devoted to tho
charms of Miss Laura.
"She's just the one girl for you
JIM" he wrote in n Of his daily
screeds, for Tom had become quite 4
letter writer. 1t may have been
brought about by his weakened health
and possibly took the place OF some
boyish occupation. but it 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 we'll that line
pretty sure she would like you too. On
my account, Of corse. Cant you como
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 sentle-faced girl.
Brother Jim placed the photograph on
the desk where he could use it as a con-
frmation OF Brother Toms praises,
and then picked up the letter.
"Ive been fishing for %bullheads in
the pool" Brother Tom began, "and
! cot two--and one cot nc Il didn't
hurt niutch and Laura tied it up witt.
her handkerchief. Ide know about
bullheads horns next time. I am send
ing you Laura's picthure. She don't
know it. I 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'
ii framed. Can't you come up and see
a fellow, Brother Jim? N. 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 were a
bullhead you would have done the
same. l remember having some ex-
p%erience 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 l
am sure she is as good as she is beau
tifui."
Two days later. Brother Toms re-
ply was received. It 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 up
next week. There's going to be a big
church picnic. Come sure"
Brother Jim scowled darkly. Then
he chuclsled. What a boy! The idea
of his sh owsing 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 hesWas homesick. He
wanted to see Brother Jim SO much.
But If Brother Jim couldn't come,
would he send his photograph. 1t
would be some comfort. anyway.
Brother Jim vas considerably
alarmed over this epistle. This pre-
eious 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 man
md with the aette- be 6 ,~sssTaed his
photograph.
The answer came back promptly, and
it was again to the point.
II shode our 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. I told her it fiat
cred you, Can't you come UP Satur-
day 2"
Brother Jim scowled again and
laughed again. Really, this scallawag
q youngster wasn't to be trusted
with anything. Still, if Miss Garman
Il nd INV canca nf hnn,nr che yo,,cf fr1