The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1906-09-28

BILLY Batson! That settles it.
don't hold with circuses no mighty
much anyway-not unless there's ami
mals-and children that oughter know
about 'em. But you might a-went to
thls'n in the wagon, along with Uncle
Jim's folks, if that would a-donc you.
Go with Batson, indeed! Remem.
ber, miss, your grandfather went to
the Legislature,' Mrs. Hicks said,
witheringly to her daughter Amelia,
who pouted and answered sullenly.
81 wish he'd died frst-then you
couldn't be always throwing him at
everybody until we're laughing stocks.
And Billy Batson has got the finest
horse and the incest buggy around
here. Any girl-Sophy Welden, even
would jump at the chance to ride
in it. You'd want me to jump, too,
if it W. sn't for that sneaky preacher.
l tell you right now, you needn't try
to make me marry him. | wont do
it. iwon'r! | won',!'
"Hadn't you better vat till you're
aske6?' Mrs. Hicks asked, with her
finest sarcasm.
Amelia laughed-a laugh not pleas
ant to hear. 81 amt fool-not If |
am your daughter" she retorted. 81
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
you'll" Mrs. Hicks cried severely, then
with sniffie, "but may be | deserve it
i took your father rather'n listen to
my missionary call. And this is what
| get for it-a thankless tooth sharp'n
q surpent's, child"
Amelia giggled. "That's about the
way y,u commonly get things she
said irreverently. "Now you listen to
me, Ma-you hate old maids-so do l
and Billy Batson is the best chance
I'll ever have in my life. He's going
to court me this trip-I know it
never mind how. If you don't let me
go, he'll court somebody else"-
Lord grant it!' Mrs. Hicks broke
in fervently. Amelia frowned. "You
think, then, might put up with your
brother Killam," she said bitterly.
But I'd die-Id even be an old maid
first; the sourest, ugliest that ever
turned sweet milk
ooh, do hushl' Mrs. Hicks inter
rupted fretfully, but turning away
her head to hide tiickering crafty
smile. "If nothin' will do you but to
sink to the level of the Batsons, why [
suppose l must let you. But you
must let me talk to Billy before you
start"-
"What for?' Amelia asked suspic.
iously. Her mother laughed sourly.
For no great natter 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 be
cast bef re swines," Mrs. Hicks said
with toss of her head.
Amelia eyed her distrustfully for a
long minute, then walked off mutter-
ing to herself: "If only she sticks to
her word she cant do any great
harm
Amelia tt ought she knew her moth
er, particularly as regarded the depths
of her deceit; but she stared in dumb
amaz"ment at Billy Batson's reception.
No May morning ever smiled more
engagingly on him than Mrs. Hicks
she shook hands with fervor and ask
ed him In her suavcst voice after the
health of the family. She was also
hearty in admiration OF his spanking
turnout and wished him all sort of a
good time, the full worth of his money