The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-11-15
IA Good
Change
By Martha Necullosh-wiIlia~'
Copyright, 1900, BY RuOy Douglas

pily BaBOhl Ah"l 7S'''o'
=, boh with clrcuses no mighty
81 snyway-not unless there's ami
- and children that oughter know
-, am But you might "a went to
~ IN the wagon along with Uncle
~ folks II that would "a done you.
9TH A Batson, indeed Remember
!. your grandfather went to the
dsloturer Mrs. Hicks said wlther-
IN to her daughter Amelia, who
.riod ana answered sullenly;
~ vIsb he'd died first Then you
admit be always throwing him at
srvbody until we're laughlngstocks.
"a Billy Batson has got the finest
rae and the incest buggy around
"a ANY glrl-sophy Weldon even
ould lump at the chance to ride in II.
ma want me to jump, too, II 1t
,mf for that sneaky preacher !
n YOU right now you needn't try to
axe me marry him. / won't do II! !
ontl won'tV
nHadn't you better whit till you're
kedT Mrs. Hicks asked. with her
hest sarcasm.
Amelia laughed-a laugh not pleas
4 TO hear II amt a fool-not II ]
your daughter" she retorted ~
low what you're plotting, you two.
"a that you want him for son-in-
W so you can boss the church, as
uve always bossed things here"
Amella Hicksl am ashamed OF
up Mrs. Hicks cried severely then,
In a snifile; But maybe l deserve
I took your father rather n listen to
missionary call. And this is what
get for TIA thankless tooth
arper n a serpent's child"
Amelia giggled That's about the
By you commonly get things" she
IA lrreverently. Nov. you listen to
ma. You hate old malds-so do ]
Ind Billy Batson is the best chance
ever have In my life. He's going
court me this trlp-I know lt-never
nd how. If you don't let me go, he'll
nrt somebody else"
'Iord grant itp' Mrs. Hicks broke in
vently Amelia frowned. you
Ink then, l might put up with your
other Glllam," she said bitterly.
but I'd de-Id even be an old maid
BIT, the sOurest, ugllest that ever
rned sweet milk
0h, do hush" Mrs. Hlck interrupt
fretfully, but turning away her
ad to Eide fiickerlng crafty smile.
nothIn' will do you but to sink to
h level of the Batsons, why, sup
se, | must let you. But you must let
talS to Billy before you start"
What for1" Amelia asked suspi-
usly, Her mother laughed sourly.
For no great matter" she said.
gu may hear every word ] say
pes that satisfy your
Looks like it OUGHT to-" Amelia said
graclously. But, understand, you
u going to mention Gillamw
roc course not. Pearls amt to be
st before swlnes," Mrs Hicks said,
d toss Of her head.
Amelia eyed her dlstrustfully for a
hg minute, then walked off, mutter-
to herself, IF only she sticks to
word she can't do any great
rm."
amelia thought she knew her moth
s particularly as regarded the depths
her deceit, but she stared In dumb
lazement at Billy BatsoD's reception.
May morning ever smiled more en-
'gngly on him than Mrs. Hicks. She
pok hands with fervor and asked in
suavest voice after the health OF
family. She was also hearty In adj
Patton Of his spanking turnout and
hed him all sorts Of good time
full worth of his money In pleas
= Then she added artlessly that she
tself had never seen a real circus. A
nagerie OF one elephant power was
near as she had come A pity, to
Surel No. she had no scruples. 1t
somehow never quite suited for
to go when circus day came round,
nebody had been sick or there was
PIX to do. Mr.. Hicks had gone-men
pays went-but that didn't mean
3pplng a pIow, as would have been
case had she Insisted. OF course
would have had to have the mules
rockaway Nov that she was a
pow she had not felt 1t was just the
ng TO do, A circus seemed somehow
8equlre having a man along. Maybe
would 90 next tlme--hcr nephew
eady Drawne was growing up so
men Billy said boldly with a sheep
glance toward Amelia. ooh, maybe
u have a son-in-law. aud Il be
4 take you, why, ask me to thrash
te FOR yoD."
y you're wIliln to do that for me.