Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-06-19
Jonas Wilkins Birthday
Present.
A SHORT STORY.
By L. W. s.

day present. Now the question is,
what shall it be?" said black-eyed May
Just think! He'll be 35 years old, and
has never had one, except when he
was little boy, almost too young to
remember!" she added, sympathetic
cally.
Did he say that?" asked Jennie
Deering, with a curious blush.
Yes, he told Uncle John So" said
Mary. quickly, land, when Uncle re-
peated it to me, just decided that he
should have present this year, sure. "
Lets send him something that is
useful An old bachelor needs so many
things that he would never think of
buying himself. We could send him
clock" said Jennie, but again May
frowned upon the sensible suggestion.
mo, indeed, That won't do. Jonas
has no end of clocks and needs no
more. Let's give him something that
he would never dream OF getting for
himself"
"Oh, girlsi" broke in Sallie Green,
with ringing laugh. 1--WE though of
the very thing! Let's give Jonas a
wife for his birthday present.! He has
everything else that he needs, and you
know he is altogether too timid to
ever secure a wife without some as
sistance!"
Won't he resent it?" asked the
girls, timidly, but May checked them
imperiously.
Certainly not, if she is the right
one! What man would? The only
thing is to see that she is in every
way worthy of him, for Jonas is really
a splendid fellow, even if he is BASH
full. Jonas shall have wife for his
birthday, that much is settled Now,
who shall she be, and how will we
present herr"
The three girls sat for moment in
silence; then suddenly May was struck
with bright idea. The other girls
stared at her in breathless amazement
when she told them what it was.
why, May Gardner, you must be
crazy!" they cried simultaneously.
mot bit of it," said May stoutly.
Now, see here, girls, be sensible Here
we are, getting older and older every
day, and not a man in the village that
Is manageable except Jonas. Now, we
all like him, you know we do; but, IL
we wait for him to propose, well all
die old maids, and that would be aw-
full. All Jonas needs is a little en-
couragement, and no one will ever
know that we used our influence for
each other."
And, finally, her reasoning prevailed,
possibly by the aid of a tender senti-
ment existing toward Jonas in the
hearts of both the blushing maidens
Il say, Jonas, you'd oughter be
thinkin' of marryin'," said Uncle
John" Gardner, shortly after the i'm
portant agreement between the three
young ladies'
Il s'pose So" said Jonas, absently,
with little blush.
Pears to me you'd better be look
in around" continued the old farmer.
as indifferently as possible. Your
35th birthday is comm and you've
ben half your life without a wife.
Must be sort O. desolate fer We. I'm
thinking
That's So" said Jonas, a little
mournfully. There amt much fun a.
settin' alone O. evenin's, but I'm used
to it." he added, despondentiy
''Pshaw! There amt no sech thing as
gittin' used tew it! 1t amt nat'ral!"
said Uncle John, stoutly.
"What'll l do?" asked Jonas. sheep
ishly
ASK one of these pretty girls around
here to marry you-sort of a birthday
present to yourself, don't you know"
The old man chuckled as he glanced
slyly at Jonas.
They wouldn't have me-" said Jo-
mas. with decided shake of his head.
There's three of 'em that would"-
began the old farmer, but checked him
self abruptly. He had come very near
betraying his pretty niece's secret.
"Just you ask EN- he finished abrupt
ly, but with an encouraging smile.
(Which one'll l ask?" queried Jonas.
ASK 'em ALL" said the old farmer.
with a roar Of laughter. He had evil
IDENTIFY thought Of something that was
exceedingly funny
John Gardner, be you out of your
head?" said Jonas, half angrily
But the farmers words burned in his
brain long after he had parted with
his friend and neighbor.
And that evening he put on his best
suit and went over to call on Jennie
Deering
An hour before Midnight they were
sitting alone in the kitchen, for the old
folks had gone to bed in most ac-
commodating manner
Did you know my birthday was
next week, Jennie?a said Jonas. sud
denly. He was sitting as near her as
he dared when he asked the question.
Suddenly Jennie giggled in most
unaccountable way.
do you want birthday present.
Jonas?" she asked. with a fit of laugh-
ter that bordered on mysteries.
Jonas looked at her with some sur
prise, but when he answered her he
was in desperate earnest.
II want wife," be said, toldly. and
then blHshed as red AZ q poppy.
That's what I meant" said Jennie,
still lowering on Mysteries DO you
wapt wife for birthday presently"