The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-04-11
A Good
Change
By Martha McCulloch-Wiiliams
Copyright, 1906, bv RUBY Douglas

don't hold with circuses no mighty
much anyway-not unless there's ami
mails and children that oughter know
this'n in the wagon along with Uncle
Jims folks, if that would "a done you.
Go with a Batson, indeed. Remember,
miss, your grandfather went to the
legislature." Mrs. Hicks said withcr-
ingly to her daughter Amelia, who
pouted and answered sullenIy:
81 wish he'd died first. Then you
couldn't be always throwing him at
everybody until we're laughingstocks.
And Billy Batson has got the finest
horse and the incest buggy around
here Any girl-Sophy Weldon even
would jump at the chance to ride in it.
You'd want me to jump, too. if it
wasn't for that sneaky preacher
tell you right now you needn't try to
make me marry him. l won't do it!
won't. l won't.'
Hadn't you better wait till you're
finest sarcasm.
Amelia laughed-a laugh not pleas
ant to hear II amt a fool-not if
am your daughter" she retorted. 81
know what you're plotting you two,
and that you want him for a son-in-
law, so you can boss the church. as
you've always bossed things here
"Amelia Hicks! I am ashamed OF
| yOu.' Mrs Hicks cried severely. then.
with sniffle: But maybe | deserve
It, l took your father rather n listen to
my missionary call. And this is what
l get for it-a thankless tooth
sharper N serpent's child
Amelia giggled. That's about the
way you commonly get things" she
said irreverently "Now, you listen to
me, ma. You hate old maids-so do I
and Billy Batson Is the best chance
I'll ever have in my life. He's going
to court me this trip-I know it-neyer
mind how. If you don't let me go, he'll
court somebody else"
Lord grant It," Mrs. Hicks broke in
fervently. Amelia frowned. You
think then. might put up s,'ith your
Brother Gillam,'' she said bitterly.
But I'd die-Td even be an old maid
first. the sourest, ugliest that ever
turned sweet milk"
"Oh. do hush!" Mrs. Hic1l interrupt.
ed fretfully, but turning away her
head to hide Pickering crafty smile
"If nothin' will do you but to sink to
the level of the Batsons, why. l sup
pose, l must let you. But you must lei
me talk to Billy before you start
what for?" Amelia asked suspi
ciously Her mother laughed sourly.
"For no great NATTER she said
"You may hear every word l say
Does that satisfy your
Looks like it ought to- Amelia sale
ungraciously. but, understand, yor
amt going to mention Gillan."
"Of course not Pearls amt to bt
cast before swines,' Mrs. Hicks said
with toss of her head.
Amelia eyed her distrustfully for ;
ing to herself, IF only she sticks t.
her word she can't do any grea
+. harm''
Amelia thought she knew her moth
? er, particularly as regarded the depth
of her deceit, but she stared in duml
amazement at Billy Batson's reception
No May morning ever smiled more en-
gagingly Oh him than Mrs. Hicks. Sh
shook hands with feryor and asked il
her suavest voice after the health Q
his family. She. was also hearty i'll az
miration of his spanking turnout an
wished him all sorts of good time
the full worth of his money in pleas
ure Then she added artleSsly that sh
- herself had never seen a real circus. :
menagerie Of one elephant power wa
as near as she had come. A pity, t
be sure. No, she had no scruples
just somehow never quite suited fo
her to go when circus day came rount
Somebody had been sick or there wa
work to do. Mr.. Hicks had sone-lne
always went-but that didn't mea
>; stopping a plow, as would have bee
: the case had she insisted. Of couTs
: and rockaway. Now that she was
widow she had not felt it was just I'll
: thing to do. A circus seemed someho'
:. to require having a man along. MayE
: she would go next time-her nephe'
Il Freddy Drawne was growing up S
s fast
Il Then Billy said boldly, with sheel
/ ish glance toward Amelia, "Oh. mayl
), you'll have son-in-law, and If |
II don't take you, why, ask me to thras
/ him for you.''
Il 'If you're willin' to do that for N
y maybe you won't mind doin' som
e thin easier-lettin' me go long wit
e you and Amelia today. It's dreadf
q lonely stayin' at home and watchi
y ali the neighborhood go by Mr.
u Hicks said. with plaintive smile.
n Billy gasped. but could not refuse.
II Amelia stood thunderstruck. 81
1t turned half about, meaning to say 81
le would not go, but glance ut h
IS mothers face stopped her Her moth
h was counting upon rebellion in h
- daughter. If Billy saw her fly into
$. tantrum he might well be scared 0
So she controlled herself and clambt
ed up into the buggy. outwardly SIN
es ing, but inwardly gritting her teeth.
g. s. The buggy was high and the seat
n narrow it barely held two persons. B
nd " had to kneel upon the floor. stead
is ing himself with the reins as best
~ ~ might. 1t was more than aggravatii