The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-12-13

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4 have got a date to take her out
for a ride this afternoon. Times up.
So long, and write me JUST what you
think 81 me. l know you viii call me
a silly ass. and all that. but walt until
you see the girl. Just wait"
Along about the time this letter was
written, C~rownhart's folks got news OF
the affair. 1t happens that they
amounted TO something in Windy City
society. They were very well of In a
worldly way, Naturally, they objected
TO having a country girl. and a hired
girl at that, brought into their midst
as a bride. John had a hard headed
business man for an older brother.
who was sent down into the country
right away, 10 see Just what the stu.
alton was, lie didn't take kindly to
the threatened marriage. and did not
hesitate In saying SC, John told him
In no uncertain terms to go TO a place
where a certain horned gentleman IN
red presldes. and went on with his
courtship.
II was n rear after this that Grown.
hart met the college chum In Miiwau-
kee. They happened across each
other In a hotel, Following out his old
custom. John had not answered the
letter that came In reply to his fervtd
outburst OF admiration for the coun-
try girl.
Wei and how's the country girl!-
smiled the old chum, after the frss
hearty greeting.
Its a subject I'm not very keen
about" said Crownhart. and the sert.
BUSINESS Of his face was evidence
enough that he did not consider the
matter one to be joked over. y guess,
though, after that letter, an explana.
ton is due you. SO here goes:
"The folks got wind OF what was up.
and butted In. First | was honored
by d visit from brother Bill, and then
there came a letter from the Old
man. calling me home, and telling mo
that I would be expected to report Tor
duty at the Office the following Mon
day. The folks are up some In Windy
City society, you know, or were. al
least, before he went broke In tho
wheat pit, and he didn't fancy my
hooking up with a country rose with
those particular kind OF thorns.
u learned when a hid that II was
Just as well to do a thing when tho
governor said to do 1t, SO ! packed up
my grips and started for town, but
before l bid my last farewell to the
farmhouse, | was an engaged q
swore by all Bertha M. Clay's choicest
oaths employed by lovers that !
would be true to the girl left behind
me.
swell, ! broke the oaths. For
awhile | sent her sizzling letters from
Chicago, and then from abroad, who're
! went with q party of friends, before
| had been working two weeks. Tho
folks saw II was a pretty serious case,
and thought they had better get me as
far from the scene OF trouble as they
could.
AS | say. | was as true as steel for
awhile. But you know how q young
fellow Is, 1 got IN with a Jolly set. I
was living In the present, letting the
future take care OF itself. and forget
ting the past, ! think the girl kind Of
had a bunch how 1t would be. and waa
cautious In her letter writing from the
start. That made It all the easier TO
break 1t on, and finally the break
came, easily and naturally For sew
ernl months / didn't hear a word on
corning Patricia. and them
"But before I tell that part Of It, !
guess / had better explain that the
governor got pinched in the pit. and
when he came through the wringer, hs
didn't have a gold watch that he could
call his own. He got me a job with
the house ! now represent. am ON
the road for them. Incidentally, y
isn't a bad Job. | did take kind.
ly to the idea Of marrying q certain
society bud mother had picked out for
me-, and when the crash came she
gave up all effort along that line.
As was saying--then learned
that Patricia was the daughter Of >
Milwaukee banker who has enough
coin to sink a ship. 1t seems that she
had q bunch she could write stun for
the magazines, and maybe a book Or
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