The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-06
TIE EVENING STORY


said impressively, "of folks that don't
know no more'n to give a eandy-puIi.
step. I've Brought you up genteels
and genteel you've got to stay while
you stay with me and your pa
H mp! That's likely to be always
sister-in-law. Miss Mary-Bet, sn1Hed.
Patience knows, if I had girl like
Loufzy, comm on q, and four more
a-crowdin' her, I'd be glad and thank
Ia like to have you tell me what there
IS against candy-pull? Dear knows,
I've seen bettern you at 'en-and have
In mighty good time
Miss Mary-Bet had "means'-hence
her OUT speaking. Squire March had
charged his wife never to argue with
her. Therefore, that lady contented
herself with a mild retort
I can't say as It's real sinful-un-
less they mean to have playtn' after
ward. And 1 hope you don't think I
hold with them kissin' games
7 don't know but you'd better" Miss
Mary-Bet said ruminatively. Il say
let Louiza go-and Mary-Bet and Sally,
too"
My That would be a team of March,
es,' Mrs March said. drawing down
the corners Of her mouth.
Miss Mary-Bet got up sively.
There's going to be four .ches,
she announced. I'm gOin' myself
know the Peterses would a-asked me
If they hadn't thought 1t wasn't Wuth
while. And I'm goin' to take my nieceS
and buy EN- each a new frock-ana
ribbons and shoes. Don't you say
word, Hannah One old maid in the
family is more'n enough:
Mrs. March gaSped-she was past
speech. Miss Mary-Bet was commonly
so close with her money her present
liberal mind was in the nature of
miracle But if she repented it, she
held fast to her word and trotted OF
a week later the Pef6TSpG in the
highest possible feather.
Louiza was gorgeous in plaid froek
green, blue and purple; Mary-Bst,
junior, spOrted a scarlet delaine, and
looked like changeling among her
high-colored brunette sisters, all in
robin-egg with little reliefs of white.
Miss Mary-Bet herself was a picture
of elegance in a span-neW black silk.
Mrs. March declared it was tempting
Providence to wear such thing where
mOlasses candy was so to abound, but
Miss Mary-Bet had only tossed her head
ana marched off with it something
higher than usual
She was rising forty, also fat and
fair. Her sharp tongue and nlaSterful
ways had kept men rather in awe Of
her. Now that youth was past she be-
gan to see that the world waggad main
~ for married folk. So she had made
up her mind TO marry off her nieces,
out OF manu-. SPITE OIL lLlGlF LfOlllCl-
LOuiza was not much of a problem
she was so kindly and sweet spirited,
withal so much a born economist. at
least three persOnable WidoWerS were
thought to be on tenterhoo<s about
her. each waiting the lucky chance that
would let him speak his wish. All of
them would be at the candy-pull, ana
each should have his chance.
Miss Mary-Bet had cautioned LOuiza
not to be precipitate. Don't let any
man have it to throw up to you that
YOU couldn't get anybody else,' she had
said. You jest listen to all of EN-
and say you gotter have time to make
UP your mind. Then you can take your
pick-shucks. don't tell me you won't
get it! You'd a been married long ago
if your mad had the sense of a goose
She's kept you tied right to her aporn
strong. and never let anybody name
courtin' that she wasn't right there to
stop the whole thing"
Mary-Bet, junior. was a handful, even
without the red frock. Her godmotner
was none too fond of her-they were too
nearly off the same piece. The most
eligible of the widowers had shown
symptoms of wavering whenever he
found himself in Mary-Bet juniors
vicinage-he was under thirty.
If Louiza had the bad taste to prefer
one of the others. Miss Mary-Bet re-
fiected, the wandering and wavering
might be turned to account. Henry
May could hardly be called a real
widower-he had but married his
sweetheart on her deathbed for the
privilege of soothing her last fevered
he had been wonderfully constant. It
was only this last year that he had
been seen anywhere but at church.
Sally's blue eyes were still those of 4
child At least to the casual glance
looking to their depths, there was
something more. Sally had light
small feet nd moved like thistle
down in summer airs. When the
playing began she was the star
She had not shone in the
candy-pulling=it was hard work
and besides she hated her pulling part
ner, Sandy Roberts. 1t made her al
most sick to touch hands with him In
the folding of their candy-skein- After
the first time she had let go the candy,
thereby giving Sandy a fall or SO. He
meant to get even with her in the
playing by choosing her out of the
very first ring and kissing her not once
but many times.
Possibly Sally suspected as much.
Certainly she fought shy of any ring
where he stood W. Since he was a
fine singer and a ready leader. that cut
her out of many things, but she did not
very much mind. Silas Venn, the
oldest and staidest of the widowers,
somehow took her under his protec-
ton and saw to it that she was not
lonesome. Miss Mary-Bet chuckled to
see Il.
Thinks he's same as in the family
and bein' good to Little Sis" she said
to herself, adding, after breath, but, |
unless miss my guess he's goin' to get
the sa ok. Louiza looks like she plum /
wropped up in John Trotter=he's |
been tellin' her all about the circuses
he's went to, ever since the call come /
to pull candy"
Evidently John was much hattered. |
He talked on and on-through Swing |
Old Liza" through Mister Buster" |
through Oats, Peas, Beans and Bar |
ley" and to the beginning Of "Snap."
Snap" forbids conversation, albeit /
it is destitute of singing. Louiza was a
beautiful runner, a swift and sure /
catcher-what use to add that she was /
ruthlessly snapped on to the floor al /