The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-06-25
A Sociological
Exhibit.
BY MARTHA
M'CullOCH WILLIAMS.
Copyright. 1907. by E. C. PARCELS.

\ Copyright. isos, py T. u farceAs-
If Josefa had not had the Morris
nose, things might have happened The
Morris nose, understand, was more
than a fea.ure-rather a hall mark OF
sorts throughout Rabun county. Who
ever owned il was held bound not only
TO follow il, but to keep it going in the
social lines marked out by Great-grand-
father Morris, a gentleman whose spir-
1t had been as high as his nose.
She was not high spirited. but in
stead meek and lowly in mind. as be
came her very moderate fortune. Her
mother, Il born Morris, had married
badly. At least the family thought SO
and had never SCRUBBED to say that
poor Billy Clayton never did but one
sensible thing-namely, dying before
he had quite wasted his wife's dowry.
She had brought him land and money
and the land remained, only a little
farm, to be sure, but big enough to
maintain the widow and her child.
1t would take managing. of course.
but the widow Clayton. she that was
Anne Morris, was a born manager
That was exact truth. In proof take
the fact that when Josefa was eight
cen she had been fairly educated, kept
always in wholesome comfort and had
had all along clothes quite as good as
any of her richer cousins. Moreover,
the house was trim and trig and the
small farm shipshape-in much bet
ter condition than the shiftless master
had left it.
What wonder then that Cousin Anne,
who never whined or asked for any
thing-advice least of ail-was we'll
liked and wholly respected throughout
the whole family connection.
What wonder either that Cousin
Maria Dalton. also a born Morris. who,
having no children, was a chronic join
er and daughter of whatever came
along. took a violent fancy to Josefa.
Maria Dalton was mighty proud of the
Morris blood and dotted especially upon
great-grandfather. She had copy of
his portrait over the mantel in her front
parlor and had coaxed Lemuel Morris,
his eldest grandson, into giving her his
commission in the Continental army.
That too, of course, was framed and
hung up beside the portrait. Inevitably
the next thing was to entertain her
fellow daughters upon the occasion
when state chapters foregather and
that meant having Cousin Anne and
Josefa help in the entertaining. not
withstanding neither of them belonged
to so much as one chapter. There We're
reasons. Mrs Dalton was careful to ex-
plain to the visitors-Cousin Anne was
TnSofa
staying with her dutifully, had no need
of belonging.
Yves; Josefa is going to be my heir
ess I believe so in blood she confid-
ed to the lady president. That person
pricked up her ears. Mrs. Dalton was
rich, and the lady president had son,
lawyer, just starting to practice in
the county town. He needed wife
badly, especially one with expectations
and family influence, and he was right
on the spot, having come along with the
chapter. not only by way of escort, but
as speaker of the occasion. He had
seized upon it as chance to show his
enthusiasm for local history. His moth
err Mrs Melvin, was inclined to regard
the fact in the light of a special provi-
dence. She managed to speak with
him quietly. a little apart. before he
read his paper and was delighted to
hear him throw into the reading solid
chunks of enthusiasm for Rabun coun-
ty and its glorious past.
Before the assembly broke he had
met Josefa and talked with her good
half hour Next week he called on her,
and~the next, and the next. Mrs. Dali
ton was early taken into his confidence
and of course was his warm advocate.
Eyes, rs you say, Josefa is Morris,
out and out, all but the name, and We'll
change that" she said, smiling at him.
"And, remember, you are going into
politics. want you to be senator at
the very least No matter how high
you go. Josefa ii do you credit. She's
going to make the finest sort of woman,
IL she is so quiet But don't you fool
yourself thinking you can get her just
for asking That is not the way with
girls of the Morris blood. Court her
like a man, and don't take NO If she
gives it to you the first time
Jack Melvin listened yearning to grit
his teeth He was not the least bit in
love. Josefa was not pretty for all she
craved beauty above everything. Be-
sides. there was Amelia Ware, but he
dared not let himself think of her.
Since they could not marry he meant
to marry this Josefa. 1t made him
laugh only to think of her saying NO.
to him. How could she when she knew
nobody else save a few awkward coun-
try fellows?
Imagine his state of mind when Jo-
sefa did say NO" the first time. the
second, the third. and each time more
and more as though she meant 1t. Aft
er the third rejection he went to Mrs.
Dalton. She laughed laugh of in.
dulgent pride when he had finished, but
said emphatically: Il don't blame Josey
not bit You've got the name of
being dreadful fiirt. Whether or no
you deserve il am not saying. Other
folks are saying Judge Wares girl is
crying her eyes out about you, and she
isn't the only one, but that doesn't mat
ter. I'll go over and stay all night
with Cousin Anne tomorrow. You come
out the next day. | think you'll find