Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-02-23
'LIGE'S WORRIES.
AND he DECIDES TO APPLY A
REMEDY.

II was not the brst time that Petite had
been behind the bars, either When he
was not like the operate criminal.
engaged IN Crimes" he Was living on
his respectable brothers bounty. A
maternal uncle, Former Constable
Washer, also Bubsisted mainly on
'Lige Beck's money. 'Lge'B sister.
Mrs. Jim Dreisen, would often descend
upon him, bag, baggage, drunken hus-
band and four children, and stay for a
month or two at a time. Besides this
Llge was spending money and general
providence TO half dozen worthless
cousins, TO say nothing Of neighbors.
Iige had no family OF his own. He
had steady, good-paying Job in the
iron works and money in the bank, TO
say nothing OF his ownership Of row
OF cottages, In one Of which he lived.
One Sunday morning 'Lige was sit
ting at his kitchen door, looking alb
sent.mindedly out on the wild cucum-
Der vines IN the backyard as he smoked
his pipe. ITS good TO be here alone
in peace an quiet" he said half aloud.
I'm glad ! done it,"
He referred TO the dispatch Of q
money order TO his sister the day pre-.
vious. She had asked him II she could
not come and stay with him for few
days, as they were about to be turned
out OF their home for the non.payment
OF their rent and would have no place
to stay while Jim" looked around.
'Lige sent the rent money.
Then he began to wonder what he
should do with Petite when he came
out" AS for getting Petite q job, no
was almost afraid TO try that. He had
done that before and had been Obliged
TO make good the young mans defalca-
lions.
While 'Age was bordering over this
the shrill. angry voice Of woman
sounded from a neighboring porch.
You go home and wash your chill
dren's clothes. II you are too lazy and
dirty 70 wash your own" said the
voice. Shook 'em? OF course shook
'em, an I'll shake 'em again. the imps!
They amt so much to blame, though.
II they had a mother that knew any
decent manners to teach 'em, they
mightn't be the trihin'. worthless, de.
structive brats they are. You set 4
foot on my porch. Mrs McAllister. an
I'll put this mop in your face"
IT'S Mrs. Wier." said 'Lige, shaking
his head solemnly What q tongue
that woman has! It's awful! An she's
a nice. smart-appearin' woman, too. an
a No. hOusekeeper, an pays her rent
regular as the clock. What a tongue!
Just listen 10 her. There! Mrs. Nc.
Allister has backed down. I knew IT,.
There amt nobody could stand up
against tongue like Mrs. Wier's. An
she's a nice-appearln' woman, too. /
reckon her husband was glad TO go to
his rest"
There was a rIng a. the front door.
bell. 'Lige got up with a sigh and
opened the door to his Uncle Washer.
Hello. 'Lige:" said that seedy indl-
vidual. 81 thought I'd just look in an
see how you we're maxim f. Fat an
prosperous, amt you? Some folks have
luck"
'Lige." he continued when he was
comfortably seated in the paRlOr rock.
er. I'm up against Il. But I've got a
scheme on hand thatll straighten me
out financially and put me on my feet.
Inside O two weeks I'll be where l
won't owe nobody a cent-not even
YOU. But I've got a note TO meet to.
morrow mOrnin' an want temp'ry ac-
Commodatlon TO meet it,"
So he droned on. The end OF It was
that 'Lige Beck let him have the TEN,
porary accommodation.
But know he'll blow It," said 'Lige
TO himself when the uncle departed.
He felt depressed He felt more de-
pressed when two hours later his sister
put in an appearance with three
satchels and four children. jim, she
explained, had had TO use the rent
money and the threatened eviction had
taken place. Jim would be along, too,
before bedtime.
There's Jim now" said the sister,
as the doorbell rang again.
II was not Jim. however; It was
Petite. And Petite had been celebrating
his enlargement
The next day Mrs. Wier received an
unexpected visit from her landlord. II
the visit was unexpected the proposal
! he made so stammeringly was still
more so. 1t was nothing less than a
proposal OF marriage.
I'm lonesome" explained 'IIge "l
haven't got no one to look out for me
! an I'm pestered beyond reason"
And you reckoned II ] took yor
folks 'u'd quit Fostering you?" sh,
asked. "You want protection?"
'Lige blushed. 81 allus thought Vol
was fine-appearln' woman an No
! housekeeper." he faltered.
We'll" said the widow after a mo
ment's consideration, its auee,
world an there's queer people in II
But I've allus took you for decep
man an If amt mistaken I'll trea
you right I've had my own way Il
make an there's some mean folk
around-but you'll see. amt goIn
to have them relations of your around
though. speak plain"
Jest as you say" said 'Lige
Then / guess It's Yes answere,
Mrs. Wier.-Chicago Daily News.