The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1908-01-16


ton. They were in the spring hous,
he standing in the doorway and bal
ring her exit, and she, with her dali
burden of butter, cheese and milk fo
the dinner table, waiting anXiOusly t
be allowed to pass.
Have the right, Abe, to follow m
own will?" she asked, with represse,
eagerness, which Abe instantly inter
preted as referring to his invitation L
her to go with him next day to tn
circus in town. Il didn't know tia
Abe!''
You're your own boss when YOU l..
eighteen Already
But your mother and father supDor
me-" she reasoned, repeating the les
SOD which had been ground into bel
ever since she could remember any
thing, land so have right to contro
me, haven't they?'
There was an anxious usefulness il
her eyes which thrilled her baffied and
discouraged sutton with hope
Don't you earn your keep and Il
good bit over where (which you don't
get? If they had hired girl do half
what you do, still they'd have to give
her two week"
But, then, l am working for them
now to pay for the years they support
ed me when 1 was too little to work"
Och, Eunice, you was always Won
derful DUNN. There amt no time
since you was five years old already
that you amt earnt all it cost to keep
you, and them couple years before
that when you was too little-well,"
he said mysteriously, Il could tell you
somepin If I wanted-somepin where
would make you say to nom and pop
pretty quick, L don't have to- They
had ought to be payin' you wages. It
aln't right they don't"
q. Tell me what you mean about those
two years of my childhood
Abe hesitated. Pop would jaw me
somepin turrible if I tole you. You
just wait. Some time III tell you meb-
he. But now," he urged, "if you're
got any spunk you up and tell 'em
you're goin' along with me to the cir
Gus in. Amt you will, Eunice? Och,
60 on!'
He attempted clumsy caress, but
she drew back. Abe scowled angrily.
Look at here, Eunice. You might
he glad wanted to keep comply with
you!"
"Why!'' she asked, with childlike
wonder, as though the proposition were
a curious one.
"Ain't goin' to be well fixed till
pops deceased a'ready?' he demanded.
"And look at the good times you
could have off Of me, buggy ridin'
Sundays and goin' to circuses and all.
When does girl ever get any fun
without gen'man friend to run with
her? And it amt everybody fixed like
me would want to keep comp'ny with
you, neither-with pop and nom so
down on my runnin' with a girl where
won't have no aussteuer. You won't
bring me nothin','' he said ruefully.
"Nothin' but my pops and MONS
spite! Yes, you might be glad, any
how. I want your
Eunice regarded him thoughtfully,
but made no answer
Cant you see 1t that there way?'
he persisted.
But I could not let any man sacri-
fee so much for me, even if did
want to marry him.
There you go ag'in"' he exclaimed
Indignantly. Even If you did want,
you say! / can't see why you don't
want Sayr' he said, his discouraged
tone changing to hopeful, "is it mebbc
because you don't like to get pop and
nom down on me? But" he reasoned.
you see, all I'd be givin' up fur you
don't weigh ag'in what I'd be gettin'.
And, you see, Id reason with pop
and nom like this-Td say, 'Eunice,
She amt been raised to go much or
spend any at the cloes like some, and
she's used to hard work and in tho
End she'd mebbe save me more'n if
married another one where had
money, but where wasn't contented
lot to be spendin' and goin'.' I've
spoke them arguments to myself. still.
a'ready. when 1 thought of your not
9ringin' me any aussteuer-and them
same reasonings would weigh with |
'op and nom, Eunice," he urged coax
ngly.
Il do not doubt it, Abe"
Then you'll go with-to the circus?'
Re pleaded. "Ain'tT
:, NO"
I'll take your part ag'in pop and
nom. Amt you got any spunk? Or
lon't you like circuses-or what?"
TN not afraid Of your mother and
ather, though your mothers loud COM
'lainings often weary me-when I lis
:en to them; but, Abe, 1 can't let YOU
pend money taking me pleasure seek
ng when don't intend to marry YOU"
According to the Pennsylvania Dutch
ocial standards, such a course on the
'art Of the girl would have been per-
ldious, inasmuch as acceptance of an
INVITATION to 60 with ones 'gent'man
riend" to circus was tantamount to
ccepting proposal of marriage.
I'D like to know" said Abe sullenly,
how you expec' to do any better"
Would you, Abe? I'll tell you," she
aid gently. I'D do better by lying
own across the railroad tracks and
citing the cars run over me-"
She made another quick move to pass
i'm, for Mrs. Morningstar's shrill tones |
7ere shrieking angry commands to the