Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1905-01-25
The Revolt "a
~ ~ of Jim.
by Helen Frances Huntington.

Observation-Disclosures

nj EVA Warrington checked her
~ pony's gait slightly as she drove
around the curve in the road leading
past the quaint old Prescott place,
which was delight to the eye, for it
was in the flush of early summer, and
ME garden was aflame with blossomed
sweetness to the four winds. The long.
cool walks between the great poplars
were rose-bordered and the low white
picket fence was burdened with Grim
son fragrance-old-fash CHINA
mon roses whose damask petals
strewed the thick dust of the road.
Voices reached her from the wide
veranda, where merry company sat
chatting behind the thin tendrils of q
cypress vine.
oh, do write and have them come
right away" said Minnie Kelly, the
second Mrs. Trescott's daughter. "Tho
more the merrier, you know. We can
have perfectly lovely time here all
summer, if we have big enough house
party"
Il wonder where Jim comes in on
that proposition" said Neva to her.
self, as she glanced toward the piazza
In search of the young host who was
not in sight There were several white
gowned girls, and two smartly dressed
young men who sat on the veranda
railing smoking and watching the
progress of the tea table which Mrs.
Prescott was setting.
t,Ir IL
Neva face to face with Jim Trescott,
who sat reading his evening paper in
the doorway of an old outbuilding
whose environments showed that it
served for a repair shop. A blanketeG
cot and chair and table were visible
in the dim background of the rock be-
hind Jim.
$50 you have moved, have your"
said Neva, with an inscrutable smile,
drawing rein beside the blossomed
hedge. How do you like your new
quarters?"
THE folks had unexpected com
pany," Jim explained, rising embar-
rassedly, land as there wasn't room
for us all, 1 thought I'd bunk out here
for a night or two
II see." The corners of her beautiful
mouth curved scornfully. $50 your
stepmother crowded you out to accom-
modate her guests! DO they permit
you to sit at their table, or do you
take your meals here, too?"
I'D rather not eat with them" Jim
declared in self-defense, "for 1 should
have to dress UP for each meal, and
can't very we'll spare the time now
that work is pushing"
$50 you are contented to live like a
tramp while your stepmother and
her friends live on the fat of your
lands? Jim Prescott. you haven't get
the grit of jackrabbit!"
Jim's black eyes burned, and a vivid
Hush underran the healthy tan of his
face. but being naturally slow of speech
and very much in love with Neva War;
rington, he was unable to express his
Drumming thoughts, though his face
showed that her taunt stung deep.
Here you are, the rightful master of
the situation. great. able-bodied. SEN
sible, sane man, without spirit enough
to stand up for your rights against a
greedy, miserly woman for whom your
father made ample and Just provision.
she not only lives on your bounty I'M
asked, but drives you out of your own
house to accommodate a pack of silly
guests for whom you will slave all
summer without a VIII imper."
What am to do?" Jim asked. mis-
erably conscious of Neva's growing
scorn. "She won't leave without being
put out, and can't do that on fathers
account
'Oh. of course not. Only a man OF
grit could do that" Neva retorted
scathingly. IF you had one grain OF
ordinary gumption. Jim Trescott, you'd
revolt like man and send the whole
gang about their own business in no
time. If nothing else would do. you
could sell the house over their heads
and let strangers force them to leave"
sell the old homei" Jim repeated
with deep-drawn breath of regret.
why it would seem like selling my
own flesh and blood!"
-Four years of strife and imposition
must have endeared it to you unspeak-
ably" Neva scoffed. 81 should think
you would loathe the very sight of it
after the way you have been treated
In it."
'They would have to move out if
should marry" Jim had the temerity
to say.
"on, you'd never have the heart to
send away your stepmother and her