The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-11
JIM's HONEYMOON.
Rx Carfer Hnxen

I've got the egg money" put ir Mrs. Chesney. T can let her have somt | of that Si..
 I'm goin' t need that for the mort. | gage" he explained.
 Mrs Chesney sighed. Some of thu women she knew really kept the egg money. There was fiction to the eff feet that she did, also. but Silas usual. | ly found some excuse for borrowing the money before the sum grew large and Martha Chesney meekly submitted to his demands. She did want Drucis to see circus. though. Half & dollar would not be much.
 | I'll take her."
 | Silas wheeled angrHy to confront the last speaker. It was all very wei that Jim Peters. his hired man. should worship Drucilla. Silas paid Jim S4 6 | month less than the prevailing wage on that very account To pay her open | court was another and very different matter Silas had decided that Drucis was to marry Hank Festis. Hank was little old (about sixty). but he had a fine farm adjoining the Chesney place and the match was an ideal one from the fathers point of view. | You won't take her nor yourself.' he snarled. T told you I had jot for you. You get every Sunday. don't you? And I give you the Forth O l July without docking yei' | I'm going to the circus" said Jim coldly. If Drucie wants to come she can come with me. I'll be glad ! to have her."
 l You ain't neither of ye goin'," said 1 Silas as he stumped out of the kitchen That settled 1t so far as he was con- cerned. He did not even trouble to stay home on circus day to see that his commands were carried out. He 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 and he l drove off early in the morning with final negative to the fearful Drucillas appeals.
 Jim watched him drive off. and when. | at last. the gray team disappeared over the hill, he came toward the house Martha Chesney was bustling about | the kitchen while Drucilla sat on the back porch pairing the potatoes. Going to the circus?" Jim asked cheerfuily. Its about time we got | ready"
 q can't" Drucilla's face turned grave at the suggestion of disobedience l 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 you ~pa that you've got some rights. I bet old man Festis won't take you to the circus when you mar ry him."
 "Who said she was goin' to marry Hank Festis? demanded Mrs. Ches- | ney. coming to the door. 'Everybody--and MT. Chesney," was the scornful answer. She's not going to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather. | L Al a- whole county" declared Martha. Just what say" declared Jim amiably. We could go to the circus as a sort of honeymoon" Drucie clasped her{ hands. Long ago she had confessed her love for Jim even while she told him that her father would never give consent. This suggestion of elopement fairly I took her breath away. A circus; her first circus, and a marriage on the same day! It 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. "1tH 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 and look after the house." It the end it was even as he had | planned. Silas Chesney came home to | find the house deserted save for old Martha sitting on the porch. She was very deaf, and only by dint of such 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 rad insisted upon a supper at a restaurant after the show as a windup to the | celebration. and it was late when they drove into the yard. For several hours Silas had been letting his wrath gather the grass as they drove down the side path.
 Get outer here" he cried T don't want none O. ye about me, ye deceitfuI critters I told ye not to go to the cir GUS. Get outer here" | Jim obediently turned the team and headed for the gate. Silas came run ming after them.
 What be ye doin'?" he demanded. You're runnin' away with my team"
 "We'n get out and walk then" said Jim, promptly Jumping to the ground. 1 Come, Drucie."
 | The girl sprang down and he caught her in his arms, implanting a sound ing kiss upon her lips before he releas- | ed her. Then he helped Mrs. Chesney l out and the trio started for the gate. 1 What are you doin' now?' howled Silas. Jim turned with we'll affected surprise.
 l You turned us out and cast us off ' he said. We're 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. Chesney
 wants to come with me. I'll give hel the egg money for keeps"
 Silass 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 o1
 colds if you don't come inside" hC growled. Come along. Marthy."
 Drucie followed Jim out to the stable to hold the lantern while he unharnes- sed the horses.
 When did Mir. Newbury make you | that offer?" she demanded cautiously
 Last year" explained Jim. T guess your pa aint the only one that can
 bluff around here-not when I've got you to bluff for"
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