The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-11-20

J. j Z
billy Batson, That settles it /
don't hold with eircuses no mighty
much anyway-not unless there's ami
mails and children that oughter know
about ZEN. But ,you might "a went to
this'n IN the Ivdgon along with Uncle
Jim's folks, il that would "a done you.
Go with Batson, indeed! Remember,
miss, your grandfather went to the
IegislntureT' AIRS. HIcks said wfther.
fngly to her daughter Amelia, who
pouted and answered sullenly:
Il wish he'd died first Then You
couldn't be always throwing him at
everybody until were lauGhingstocfs.
And Billy Batson has got the finest
horse and the incest buggy around
here. Any girl-Sophy Weldon even
would jump at the chnnce to ride In st.
You'd want me to jump, too. If It
wasn't for that sneaky preacher
tell You right now you needn't try to
make me marry him. won't do 1t! /
won't! WON'T"
Hadn't you better wait till you're
asked?' Mrs Hicks asked, with her
finest sarcasm.
Amelin laughed-a laugh not pleas
ant to hear. II amt fooI-not II /
am your daughter" she retorted. Il
know what you're plotting, you two,
and that you want him for son-in-
law, SO you can boss the church, as
you've always bossed things here"
amelia Hicks! am ashamed of
your' Mrs. Ticks cried severely. then,
with q snlfie= But maybe I deserve
II. I took Your father rather n listen to
my missionary call. And this IS what
get for ia thankIess tooth
sharper m n serpent's child
Amelia gfggled. That's about the
way YOU commonly get things" she
said irreverently. 'ENow, you listen to
me, ma. You hate old maids-so do
and Billy Batson is the best chance
III ever have in my life. He's going
to court me this trip-I know it-never
mind how. II you don't let me so, he'll
court somebody else"
Lord grant itr' Mrs. Hicks broke in
ferventIy. Amelia frowned- You
think, then, I might put up with your
Brother Gfllam," she said bitterly.
But I'd dle-I'd even be an old maid
first, the sourest, ugllest that ever
turned sweet milk"
"Oh. do hushr' Mrs. Hick interrupt
ed fretfully. but turning away her
head to hide dickering crafty smile
IF nothin' viii do you but to sink to
the level Of the Batsons, why. sup
pose, 1 must let you. But you must let
me talk 10 Billy before you start"
..Yhnt for:'' Amelia asked suspl-
ciously. Her mother laughed sourly.
For no great matter" she said.
You may hear every word say.
Does that satisfy your
Looks like it ought to- Amelia said
ungraciously. But, understand, you
amt going to mention Gillam!"
"Of course not. Pearls amt to he
cast before swines," Mrs. Hicks said,
with a toss of her head.
Amelia eyed her distrustfully for
long minute. then walked or, mutter-
ing to herself. IF only she sticks to
her word, she can't do any great
harm"
Amelia thought she knew her moth
er, particularly as regarded the depths
of her deceit, but she stirred In dumb
amazement at Billy BatsOn's reception.
No May morning ever smiled more en-
GagingIy on him than Mrs. Hicks. She
shook hands with fervor and asked i'll
her suavest voice after the health OF
his family She was also hearty in adj
niration of his spanking turnout and
wished him all sorts of a good time
ure. Then she added artlessly that she
herself had never seen real circus. a
uenagerie OF one elephant power was
as near rs she had come. y pity, to
be sure! No, she had no scruples. 1t
Just somehow never quite suited for
her to 20 when circus day came round.
Somebody had been sick or there was
work to do. Mr.. Hicks had Eone-men
always went-but that didn't mean
stopping plow, as would have been
the case had she insisted. OF course
she would have had to have the mules
and rockawuy Now that she was
widow she had not felt 1t was just the
thing to do. \ circus seemed somehow
to require having man along. Maybe
she would 90 next time-her nephew
Freddy Dmwne was growing up so
fast.
Then Billy said boldly, with sheep
ish glance toward Amelia, ''Oh. maybe
you'll have Il son-In-lnw, and IL he
don't take you. why, ask me to thrash
him for you''
''If you're willin' to do that for me,
maybe you won't mind doln' some
thin easier-lettin' me go long with
you and Amelia today. It's dreadful
lonely stayln' at home and watchin'
ali the nelghbOrhood go by" Mrs.
Hicks said, with plaIntlve smile.
Billy Easped, but could not refuse.
Amelia stood thundertruck. She
turned half about, meaning to say she
would not go. but q glance at her
mothers face stopped her. Her mother
was counting upon rebellion In her