The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-11-02

ing tenderfOOt pocketed his third bill
for the most theatrical style Of Mex
lean sombrero; it had a brass snake
eolled round the crown for hatband,
and COW puncher in good and regular
standing would have preferred going
bareheaded to wearing it.
"She seems to be pressing her suit.
son. You better name the day." one Of
the loungers suggested.
The blamed thing amt worth 500"
the young man from the east declared.
conspicuous silence followed. 1t
seemed to irritate the owner of the hat
that no one would defend it. ct amt
worth it, he repeated.
Il think you allowed you was out
here for your health % big Texan in
quired. -..,
Fletcher life,' staggered the man
with the hat, "N'York's good enough
for me-
''But'-and the Texan smiled sweet
ly-'the man who sold you tie hat
amt out here for his
Judith hid her head and stamped let
ters. The boys We're suspiciously quiet,
then some one began to sing.
The postmistress waited for the last
note Of the chorus to die away, and
read from a package she held in her
hand: Mrs. Henry Lee, Deer Lodge,
Wyoming Well, Henry, here's we'd
ding present, I guess. And my con-
gratulations, though you've hardly
treated us we'll in never saying a
word.'
The unfortunate Henry, who hadn't
even sweetheart and who was noted
as the shiest man in the "Goose Creek
Outfit" had to submit to the mock
congratulations Of every man in the
room and promise to set up the drinks
later.
81 never felt we'd keep you long, son.
Them golden curls seldom gets chance
to ripen singly."
"Shoshone squaw, did you say she
was, Henry? They amt much for
looks, but there's a heap of wear to
'em."
"Oh, go on, now; you fellows know
I amt married." And the boy handled
the package with a sort Of dumb Won
der, as If the superscription were in
disputable evidence of a wife's exist
ence.
"Open it, Henry. You shore don't
harbor sentiments of curiosity regard
ing the postofice dealings Of your
lady"
"Now, old man, this here may be
grounds for divorce"
"See what the other fellows send
ing your WIFE"
Henry, badgered, jostled, the target
Of many a homely witticism, finally
opened the package, which proved to
be sample bottle Of baby food At
sight Of it they howled like Apaches,
and Henry was forced to receive their
congratulations Judith, who had been
an interested onlooker without joining
in the merriment, now detected in the
tenor of their humor a tendency to-
ward breadth. In an instant her man.
ner was official. Rapping the table
with her mailing stamp, she an
nounced:
"Boys, this postoffice closes in ten
minutes, if you want to buy any
stamps"
The silence following this statement
on the part Of the postmistress was in
Simultaneous. Henry took his mirth
provoking package and went his way.
Some of the more hilariously inclined
followed him. The remainder confined
themselves absolutely to business,
scraWling postal cards or reading their
mail. The pounce of the official stamp
on the letters as the postmistress
checked them off for the mail bag was
the only sound in the hot Stiffness
A heavily built man, older than those
who had been keeping the postof1ice
lively, now took advantage Of the lull
to approach Judith. He had twin
king face, all circles and pouches, but
it grew graver as he spoke to the post
mistress. He was Major Atkins, for
merly cavalry officer, but since his
retirement a cattleman, whose herds
grazed to the Panhandle Of Texas. AS