The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-12-27

the spHHk t ask her.
1t was Jabez's turn to look Surpris-
ed. "How-bow did yoL guess III"
Mary laughed for full minute
How did | @ue>s it: There wasn't
any GUESS about it, I'll bet BosSy
knows it and would tell You if she
wasn't Il COW
We'll. | don't see anythin. 50 funny
about it. ,Iabc. paused and medita-
lively scratched his short side whiSk-
ers. the only hirSute adurmment he
permitted upon his judicial counte-
nance. DO yOu-think-I stand any
show Then. as Mary appeared TO
he suspiciously ready with her answer,
he continued: You know, she gets IS
a week teaching our district school in
winter and So in summer These self
supporting women amt usually in Il
very big hurry TO marry"
Hurry" snOrted Mary. Il don't call
it being in Il hurry when Il woman gets
TO the age of thirty-seven. You are
one of the most prominent men in this
part of the country. You can support
Il woman all right. and | believe you'll
make good husband if you'll only
shave off those things you call Burn
sides and don't try to interfere with
my running of this house when YOU
bring a wife home. Take my advice
don't ask her unless you mean it. for
| believe she'll snap You up 50 quick
it'll take your breath away. Who
wouldn't marry into the bunker fam
lily. anyway: It's the oldest family
around these parts"
You may he right" Iabez rctortcd
wickedlY. "but take your own case. for
instance. Nobody seems to have been
particularly anxious to get into the
bunker family in that direction"
oh. I've had my chances and lots
Of 'cm that You knew nothing about.
But You asked my advice. You've got
it, and I'm going back to my work"
Hold on Il minute. Mary. | didn't
have the spunk to ask her What You
said was true. so | wrote her 4 letter
and then, as Mary looked anxious
(which I amt going TO let you see.
There's something in it about Christ
mas and nc thot !. +o,no,,.ou. ,bo
couldn't get it in time unless the rural
,.,,,fo,. tool, II with him, ,,.ho, IL, won't
along today. | ran after him awhile
,oo hr5 tbo conrour1nd SNOW, IL So
ho,,.r +,o+ oo,,rI,,,+ ,o,ll, I,i,,, ,r1
,.,,,1i,,.t o;.,,. ,,,,r.o t,i,, ,,,,,,. 49,, g.
u,o 1ot+or :. Tin i, nv. ,,,,,,i.,+ WA.
r,i,,,.:,, +,,t.i,,,,; 49, ,,,,.,,Is .,,;.
orta,,,,a7,, >,
~" "o'''''
''"' WIZ "on ~" maui ~. '''''
''iilU' ~" anu " !, ~ at 'li''''
i"'' WIN w. "'99Tu'' 'o''' ''''
""pe|' 9ne must st' 1t y! t"'norI'"
'HoIlllS' - Sh' can
MARY IiiIp"'le"uS "'osC, "HIle '"p'",
resting HIS elbows Oh LIS Knees anu
cropping MS h'"'', peS"' "-"'h l"
'}f'sS his hlrhSiaeS'
After few moments he called out to
Mary. I'm goin' over to Miss GivcnS'.
but III be back before dark
He clappct on his cap, coat and tip
pet and within five minutes WaS trud%-
ing along the road in the direction Of
the GivCnScS' farm. two miles distant
As JabeZ was about to turn into the
cate leading into the GtVenS dOOryard
he stepped behind a large hutternut
tree and put his hand in his pocket.
lie thought he would once more read
the letter. 1t was important. In his
cooler moments il might seem a little
impctuous ana Undgnitied, and if there
was one thing upon which JabeZ Prid-
cd himself it WAS his dignity. As his
hand reached to the inucrmOst r1cesscs
Of the capaciouS inner pocket Of his
buffalo ovcrcoat lie gave such start
that the snow banked on his shoulders
came tumbling down his length, like
bower Of d0Wny white feathers. The
letter was not there. He retired lit
tie farther down the road and made Il
more careful examination, hut the
missing spiStle could not be found.
Deciding that he must nave left the
precious hll>Nl'" upon 'he taole at
none ana accepting lila' iact as an
"EIeh' JloeZ continued 10 the HlFehH
home where II" spent Il most uelsht-
lHl TWO louf" win MISS Amanda VINO
happeled TO ne alone the rest OF the
Iahii! having gone 70 the village 10