The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-11
In MISSOURI.
How Jap Whites Courtship Culmin.'
ated In . War Upon Wealth.

0sCU IL u V6E CpVu Vt6NHs
In Jasper Whites courtship there
was degree of boastfulness that was
the envy of some of the fellows and
the disgust of others. All agreed in
secret, or In some instances. open
ly expressed, wish that he would come
to grief. Jasper was as meek as pie
when he was with his girl" but he
would talk to his friends about "hold-
ing four aces" with Betty Colander,
or. varying the metaphor, would de-
scribe how he had built board fence
all around me and Betty
So there was much interest when
Stephen Wilson. rich widower and
deacon in Betty's church, began to
keep company" with her. .Jasper's
bravado was as strong as ever and he
declared he would run the widower
"out of his potato patch"
Jap" one of his friends said. you'd
better draw out while you're a WIN
ner. Whenever a Teller get close
second in race he might as we'll quit
while there's time"
ME quit! me quit! With hand
full o. aces!" Jasper was scornful.
I'm gOin' to show that crane-legged
Mormon that he's maxim guy of him
self. I'm goin' around to see Bet to-
night an I'll fix his clock. I'll see
you boys at the deepo. S'long."
The society fellows who had gone
down to the railroad station to see
the 1880 night train come in were
standing in group in the ladies'
waiting room when Jasper Joined
them. They expected to hear results,
and the returns came quickly Jas
per's first bulletin was "Stuff's Off"
After that the news came In punches.
Dad burn my hide!" Jasper shout
ed. this amt no poor mans country.
How's a man on salary goin' to
buck wealth? I'm agin corporations
an the money power, by CAD. I'm in
for politics from this time on. Hold
durn me. I'm Populist"
What's the matter?" some one re-
turned.
Matter! You boys knowed that 1
had Bet Colander right where | want
ed her. She was mine for the askin'.
My hand was good for a royal flush
any day in the week. And then come
along that tight-fisted. lantern-jawed
money bag, Steve Wilson-why dad
burn me!-why, that feller's got two
wives buried out in Forest Hill now.
with little measly stone over each
one Of 'em sayin' The heart of her
husband could safely trust in her.
when everybody knows he wouldn't
trust no one. Cash for him every
time. I'tell you I'm agin money from
this time on. This country's goin' to
hell and the money powers dom the
drivin'."
"Oh. hang the money power" one
of the listeners broke in. Us your
girl goin' to marry Steve Wilson,"
"Will you take it now or wait till
you get It," retorted Jasper. "Who
is dom this talkin'. anyhow? o.
course she's goin' to marry Steve Will
son. Did she tell me so? He'll, 1
don't need no brick house to fall on
me. No. she didn't tell me so. Now,
If you fellers will quit buttin' in. I'll
tell you somethin'.
II went around to see Bet tonight
with blood in my eye. was goin' to
defy competition an put the opposi-
ton clean out O. business. It was
kind O. late when got to the house,
fer I'd wasted some time gettfn' my
adjectives thought out. an there was
a suspicious light in the front room.
But didn't do no maneuverin' around
the window blinds an went straight
to the door. Dad blame me. what do
you 'spose saw when Bet took me
into the house? There was that
hatchet-faced Wilson a-settin' in a
chair. with little white necktie on,
a-eatin' oysters out of a chain dish.
Eatin' oysters, mind you! Hold durn
me-out of chafin' dish! Why. durn
my cats, popcorn had been good
enough fer me. Why I've set up in
that parlor night after night an ct
popcorn with both hands till thought
I'd bust Never looked a. oyster in
tn face in that house. If ever Bet
said oysters to me. much less chain
dish, I'll be dad burned if 1 want
temporarily deaf. An don't remem-
Der the time when my years went
back on me. either. No, sir, it was
always popcorn or nuthin' fer ME.
you better believe didn't take
none o. tn luscious bivalves from that
dried up old oyster that was eatin'
'em but l give Miss Bet hot shot
about popcorn fer h'>poor an oysters
fer tn rich, an, then l ducked."
And Jasper walked away, swearing
that he was going to run for con-
stable of the township on the platform
Down with Wall street. kansas
City Times.