Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-05-23


riage between John Fergus, bachelor,
and Mary Jane Wilson, or McGlashan,
widow. both Of this parish"
ITS indecent. that's what It Isl"
said Mr. banks, the fish merchant.
when l say 1t Is indecent. 1 refer to
this intimation O. merriage that fell on
us a. the day like a thunderbolt, and
tell ye, Joseph Ridhorn, that ma
opeenion o. this proposed merriage
is"
90 nae value to onybody."
well see ABBOTT that! What has
that auld miser, John Fergus, done for
the kirk, ask ye?" demanded banks
fiercely.
He's never done onything to dis
grace 1t, anyway"
What dye mean"
I'm ither words" replied Mr.. Red
horn calmly, 81 wud suggest the ad
visabeelity O. yer keepin' yer nose for
yer fish an no for pokin' into ither
folks affairs"
Especially" went on the painter
"the affairs O. man that lost his best
arm in railway accident when he
was little mair nor youth"
That's naethin' to dae WI him bein
miser," the elder snapped fiercely
"If he lost his arm, Providence sent
him a legacy O. fully three thousan
pound the vera same year, an Provi
dence never intendit him to pit by
the bigger hauf O. the interest"
Maybe, Peter banks, maybe. Bein
an elder, ye've dootless ha' mair com
munications wi Providence than yer
humble servant"
"Humph! Dae we mean to tell me
that Jane McGlashan, whas fifty If
she's day, is merryin' John Fergus
for onything but his siller?" Mr.. banks
cried bitterly.
I'm no tellin' we onything. But
supposin she is merryin' him for his
siller what business is 1t O yours or
mines? Nevertheless believe her
wee shop keeps her comfortable,
though we wudna think there was
muckle profit on sweeties an tobaccy,
an newspapers, ct cetera. Dinna ex-
cite yersel' further, Master banks.
That's ma advice to you"
But Mr.. banks was not satisfied.
He'll be Twin on her, an savin'
every penny O. his interest" he said
viciously.
Mr.. Redhorn stopped short In his
walk.
See, Master Danks!" he said sharp
ly, John Fergus gi'ed me ma first
Job, an didna haggle ABBOTT the price.
AS for Mrs. McGlashan she gi'ed me a
bottle O. medicine last year that cured
ma indigeestion-an' I'm Mistress Nc
Glashan's freen for life. An, mind We.
Peter banks, IL we try to max ony
mischief ABBOTT this merriage, I'll for
get ye're an elder, an'-as shair as ma
names Joseph Ridhorn-I'll come
when ye're gleepin' an pent yer hoose
peagreen, wi bad words in scarlet on
the door!"
Whereupon Joseph left the dunn.
founded elder, and made for his mod
est dwelling
AS Joseph rested after hearty meal
brilliant idea suddenly struck him.
1t took him full week to acquire
courage sufficient for the carrying out
of his brilliant idea
At last, about eight o'clock, on an
October evening, he stepped stealthily
from his door. About furlong be-
yond the village he came to cottage
standing by itself on a half-acre of
ground. A faint light filtered out be-
hand window
"Weel, here goes!" he said, half
aloud, as he stood on the steps and
knocked on the door.
The door was opened an inch and q
voice shouted, "Wha's that?"
ITS me-Joseph Ridhorn," replied
the painter
Fergus hesitated. "Weel, We best
come in" he said at last tits no a
NIGHT for the doorstep for man or
beast"
Mr.. Redhorn followed his unwilling
host into the kitchen.
"Sit doom" said the other, pushing
q chair nearer the hearth, and taking
another for himself.
"Thenk We" replied Mr.. Redhorn
"Wud We try a ceegaurette?"
ullud uS quietly
"Thenk we a the same, Joseph Rid
horn"
A long silence followed. But the
thing had to be faced, and at last he
forced himself into speech.
II was gaun to tell We, Master Fer
gus, hoo | managed to commence the
smokin'. Ye see, used to be a mar
tyr to dyspepsia, If we ken what thai
Is, an |, thocht ma case was hopeless
till yer wife" Fergus started Z"
mean yer intendit-gied me sampl,
o a mixture. An moo I'm a new man
can eat onything!"
"Weel, weel," said Fergus, I'm
shair I'm glad to hear we've got qui
O. yer trouble"
"Ay," went on Mr. Redhorn solemn
ly, It's the inner man that coonts
But there's anither thing Dae We kel
wha gi'ed me ma first job when | Sc