Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-06-16
Three Times
and Out ~ ~
BY ELENoRA E. REBER


much even for one of his proven Ions
suffering disposition. His trouble cor
sisted in nothing more nor less than tn
fact that his sister, who had been hi
housekeeper but one short year, ha
| just told him Of her intention to MARI
Timothy Martin.
Great Scott, Mile, / thought 20
said you would not marry if brough
you out here"
Il did, John, but wise men sometime
change their minds and you know tina
is every woman's prerogative, especial
ly in a case like this
But what am 90 do?"
Send for Janet"
mot l. have brought the last sistei
am going TO out here, just to have then
marry when l begin to think they arr
going to stay by me-"
We'll, then, why don't you marry
some one yourself and be sure Of always
having a housekeeper?"
Sure Of nothing. She would prob
ably elope with the first strange settler
that took claim within 25 miles. Tim
Martin can't give you half as good a
home as you have here, Mile, he con.
tinued. You'd better stay with me"
81 know, Jack, his house isn't much
more than half as big as yours, and
there isn't tree anywhere near II, and
maybe he won't ever have as many acres
in his farm as you have, but love him,
Jack, dear" she whispered into hei
brothers ear, "and | know | shall be
happy with him, and | know that |
couldn't be happy, now. without him.
You don't understand, Jack, how it is.
wish you would fall in love with some
nice girl, then you would know. Twill
come over every week and clean and
bake and help you all that can, but l.
I can't stay"
And then John stroked her hair gently
and told her it was all right, and said
he would get on we'll enough, for Mile
was his favorite sister, and he could not
bear to see her distressed.
Martin is a good fellow and doing
well, and If she must marry would
rather il would be him than any of the
others | know around here. But it is
rather hard on me, Just the same" he
thought
John Benton was one of the first set
tiers in that section of the country, and
he had the best location the land around
afforded. A creek cut his farm in two
and he had acquired several sections
skirting the stream on both sides. thus
getting running water for his cattle
and also securing a little timber. and
some Of the wild fruits which grew
along the stream. II was really beau.
tiful place, and he had built good, sub.
stantial buildings upon it, instead on
mere skeletons. as most people did AT
first When everything was ready he
asked his oldest sister to come out and
live with him. She did so and STAYED
with him two years. then married a
neighbor Another sister was invited
TO take her place in his home. and she.
too, married after q time Now Mile
was also preparing to follow in their
footsteps.
i would marry some girl II I knew
one who could keep house decentlv and
who would be willing to 60 into Il on |
a business basis; but these girls are 50
silly and care more for a little senti- |
ment than they do for a good home
There ISN'T anyone around here that I'd
want though. and I can't 60 travelling
around the country looking for one. so
! suppose / might as well settle down
into a confirmed bachelor, and learn Il !
do my own homework" he unused 10 |
himself that evening.
The next morning he was drivinp |
across the country on an errand to a
when there suddenly came
into view on a little knoll in front Of
him a woman, who. when she arrived AZ
its top, looked around in every direction.
then, seeing him, waved her hand ana
started toward him.
Some tenderfoot who is lost. q" unused
Benton, as he drove toward her.
How do you do" the woman. who
proved to be a young and pretty one.
said. as she came within hearing dis
lance. Il wonder Il YOU can tell me
where I am. am boarding at Mr..
and | guess the unbroken
Whiteness Of this prairie must have CON
fused me. for I am lost. started for
The schoolhouse. but I am sure I have
zone farther than II is from the house"
= I