Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-07-10

It had been understood by the Dixon
and the Taylor families. and by most
of the people for five miles around,
for that matter, that Tom Dixon and
Bessie Taylor became engaged as they
we're riding home together from the
county fair In October. The exact
date and exact circumstances Of such
things are always of vital interest to
IN agricultural community.
It was q match that pleased both
families, as Tom was fine young far
mer, and Bessie smart girl of nine
leen, who could have had the pick of
Aaif a dozen.
The marriage was not to take place
for a year, and the course of true love
ran smooth until December. Then
Bessie Taylor suddenly exercised the
prerogative Of her sex.
Tom was too sure of her, and he
must be made to understand that his
bird was not yet Gagged.
There was to be spelling bee at
the red school house. He and Bessie
would go, Of course. As both of them
we're accounted among the best spell.
ers in the community, it was probable
that they might be asked to choose
sides.
It was unfortunate for Tom that he
forgot to say that he would drive up
to Taylor's at certain hour for Bes.
Gle. He meant to, and he had no
doubt that she would be ready. but
the matter slipped his mind, and when
the evening finally arrived, he got out
of his cutter at the door, only to be
told that Bessie had been gone half
an hour.
More than that, she had gone with
4 windmill man who was canvassing
the neighborhood and stopping at her
fathers house.
Tom Dixon was stunned. Here was
coquetry, treachery, deceit. 1t didn't
occur to him that Bessie felt piQued
over his neglect and wanted to "get
even" in the only way open to her,
\ Neither could he know that she had
told the windmill man that her old
beau would probably escort her home.
He gaspedhe muttered-he swore.
Then he got into his cutter and put
the whip to his horse and sent the AMI.
NAL over two miles Of smooth road on
q dead run.
His first idea was to kill that wind
mill man on sight, his second was to
kill the pair of deceivers, his third
was to blow his own brains out and
die the death of a martyr. Then he
happened to get fourth idea, and he
adopted it and stuck to it.
He entered the schoolhouse with his
jaw set and firm resolve to make a
certain person repent in sackcloth and
ashes. Bessie Taylor was there, but
he saw her not. The windmill man
was there, but he was too Insignificant
for second glance.
The homliest girl for six miles
around was there, having hired her
brother to bring her, and Tom walked
straight up to her, and began to laugh
and giggle and fatter. y
Worse was soon to come. It hap.
pened that he was chosen to lead one
side, while Bessie was not. Everyone
looked to see him call her name as
first on his side, but he overlooked
her entirely. It was the homeliest girl
who was called, although it was known
that she would 90 down and out on
the first three.syllabled word. Il.
When only he and Bessie remained
on their feet the climax Of his mean.
ness came. When they got among the
hard words he stood and glared across
at her as II he had never seen her
before. and, In her confusion, she blum.
dered and left him victor.
Next day 1t was known far and wide
that Tom Dixon and Bessie Taylor
we're "out" and, though several parties
volunteered their services as peace.
fE9A X