The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-05
TIE EVENING STORY
Jim's Honeymoon.
(By Carter Haven't

ella.
| ut amt done we no harm so fur as
] en- see." commented her father crit
| icaliy. Il guess you're likely to get
your, full growth without SEEM one"
I've got the egg money" put in
Mrs. Chesney. II can let her have
some OF that. ST.
I'm goins t. need that fo- the mort
gage" he explained.
Mrs. Chesney sighed. Some of the
| women she knew really kept the egg
money. There was fiction to the Ell
rect that she did, also, but Silas usual.
~ found some excuse for borrowing
the money before the sum grew large.
and Martha Chesney meekly submitted
to his demands. She did want Drucie
to see a circus, though. Half doI-
lar would not be much.
TN take her."
Silas wheeled angrily to confront the
last speaker. It was all very well tnat
Jim Peters, his hired man, snouio
worship Drucllla. Silas paid Jim -
month less than the prevailing wage
on that very account. To pay her open
court was another and very dlheIeIie
matter. Silas had decided that Dru-
Gle was to marry Hank Festis- Ha -
was a little old (about sixty, put ne
had fine farm adjoining the Cncsnes
place and the match was an Ideal one
from the fathers point of view.
You won't take her nor yourselI,
he snarled. IT told you had JOB IoI
you. You get every SUNDAY, oon
you? And 1 give you the Fourtn Ok
July without docking vel"
I'm going to the circus, said jim
coldly. IF Drucie want to come, sne
can come with me. I'll be glad 10 nave
her"
Silas as he stumped out of the Kitchen.
That settled it so far as he was con-
cerned. He did not even trouble 70
stay home on circus day to see that
his commands were carried out. ne
was accustomed to being obeyed. That
there could be defiance of his wishes
was thing not to be dreamed of. He
had business at Center Mills. ana ne
drove off early in the morning with a
firal negative to the fearful Drucilla
appeals.
Jim watched him drive off, and
when, at last, the gray team disap-
peared over the hill, he came toward
the house Martha Chesney was bus
thing about the kitchen while Drucilla
sat on the back porch pairing the pota-
toes.
"Going to the circus?" Jim asked
cheerfully. "It's about time we got
Il can't" Drucilla's face turned
grave at the suggestion of disobedience
to the paternal command.
Look here" said Jim calmly, drop
ping down upon the lowest step. Its
about time that something was done to
show your pa that you've got some
rights 1 bet old man Festis won't take
you to the circus when you marry
him.
'sWho said she was goin' to marry
Hank Fe stis?" demanded Mrs. Ches-
ney, coming to the door.
EVERY body-and Mr.. Chesney,"
was the scornful answer.
'tShe's not going to marry man old
II t0 hn h or r
he's got farm as big as this whole
county" declared Martha.
Just what I say" declare Jim ami
ably. 1--WE could go to the circus as
sort OF honeymoon" ...s IL
Drucie clasped her hands. Long
ago she had confessed her love for
Jim, even while she told him that her
father would never give his consent.
This suggestion of elopement fairly
tc ok her breath away. A circus; her
first circus, and a marriage on the
same day! 1t seemed too wonderful
to be true, yet Jim was talking about
it as calmly as though being married
were an everyday affair.
''Why not?" he demanded. It'll
take an hour to drive to town. We
can see the street parade, go get mar
ried and see the afternoon show. Old
Martha will come over from the poor
farm to look after the house."
In the end it was even as he had
find the house deserted save for old
Martha sitting on the porch. She was
very deaf and only by dint of much
shouting did he learn that his folks
had gone off with Peters to the circus.
He made a solitary meal and then
went out on the front stoop to await
the return of the runaways. Jim had
insisted upon a supper at a restaurant
after the show as windup to the cele-
bration, and it was late when they
- T-- \
Silas had been letting his wrath gather
strength, and he came storming across
the grass as they drove down the side
Path.
"Get outer hore.'' he cried. ct don't
want none O. We about me, We deceit
full critters. 1 told We not to go to the
circus. Get outer here"
Jim obediently turned the team and
headed for the gate. Silas came rum
ming after them.
What be We ,doin'?" he demanded.
you're runnin' away with my team
well get out and walk them said
Jim. promptly, jumping to the ground.
"Come Drucie."
The girl sprang down and he caught
her in his arms. implanting a sounding
her. Then he helped Mrs. Chesney out
and the trio started for the gate.
what are you dom now" howled
Silas Jim turned with well affected
surprise
you turned US out and cast us off,"
he said. Were going. Tim Newbury
offered me his north farm on half
shares I'm going to take his offer.
My wife and her mother are going
with me-
"Your what?" Silas could scarcely
believe his ears.
my wife, explained Jim politely.
you'll have to hire a man at full
price, and hire a girl, too. Mrs. Ches-
ney wants to come with me. I'll give
her the egg money for keeps"
Silas's Jaw dropped. Jim had picked
out the most potent argument and with
it he had won. Silas moved toward
the house.
"You folks will catch your death of
colds If You don't come inside" he