The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-05-31
The THSTERHER AND THE Girl.

Have Hutchins had come TO pur-
chase supplies. His expensive clothes.
luminous vest, garnished with a huge
watch charm and ponderous gold mug.
get charm indicated man OF
means, while the sombrero on his
head mutely testified to the habitat
or the wearer. The hardware depart
ment was his destination, but the
sight of Trixie Brown behind the rib.
bon counter arrested his attention. In
rapt admiration he stood riveted to
the spot. Dave Hutchins was not at
ease In the presence OF the fair sex,
and he looked bashfully at the pyra-
mids OF ribbons, trying TO frame o
plausible excuse to speak to the girl
The saccharlne voice OF Ttixie
startled him. Are you looking for
ribbons?" she asked.
That's about the size OF It, Sis"
blundered the westerner.
The girl looked at him hautghtily
"What kind Mr.. Fresh?"
"Hutchins-Dave Hutchins, is my
handle, If you don't mind / calclate
! want o good many Kinds OF ribbon
I'm buildin' q palatial home on my
place out west--ever been there?"
No" snapped the clerk. but what's
that got to do with ribbons?'
"I'm coming To that. It's q custom
to decorate homes In our section with
ribbons" floundered the prospective
buyer I'VE drape the walls and chan
deliers with EN-"
Tfixle thought he was making sport
of her and waxed sarcastic. "oh,
presume it's the fashion in the wilf
| and woolly."
\ Fascinated by ffe4A beauty and fear
Ing she would dismiss him, Hutching
stammered; Yes, ribbons are style
out our way Why, raise hogs on m.
raneh--the porkers in the country
takin' them all round from chaparral
20 chops fryin' in the pan--and want
few bolts OF that baby blue ribbon
! to tie on their tails. It's a pretty slight
20 see a bevy of hogs sportin' in the
field ornanlented with ribbons"
/ Trixie began TO lose her temper
you country comedians weary me,
she said. "l've met your Kind before
and as | have no time TO listen to
foolish talk you had better move on
as am busy"
| Nov, look here, Sis
| 81 don't want any OF your familis
arity.o
We'll" said Hutchins, soberly, you
force my hand don't want any rib
bons-lts yon want | fell in love
with you at first sight, I'm no dude
and ! was Just slingin' that palaver
to get acquainted. Perhaps my style
won't fit In here, but I'm on the
level"
I The girl laughed heartlessly. "oh,
they all say that"
But I'm not four-husher. I've got
gold mine that assays $4,000 to the
ton, aud a ranch stocked with the
finest cattle you ever clapped your
eyes on I'm buildin' residence
that will astonish the natives, ard I've
come East to lay In job lot OF porce-
lain bath tubs and other knick-knacks
and I want you to be queen OF the
ranch. I'll be here month, and you'n
have time to think 1t over I'll go
out West and as soon as the house
is finished I'll come back for you"
From behind store counter Trixie
iBrown had studied men and found
many lacking In sincerity. She placed
little faith In the protestations OF
Dave Hutchins, and she said scorn-
A fully: you have given new setting
to an old story. Now, II can't sell
you anything III have to refer you to
the manager"
"Talxe it easy and think over what
live said" persisted the man from the
West. You'd have an easy life out
yonder. It's only "a hours from Chi
lcago and We can go over and see the
shows any time you pine for excite
ment He pointed to an immense opal
ring in the shape of heart st IN
brilliant diamonds on his little finger
7 and said, earnestly: "If you consent
this little trinket is yours. And I
want to tell you, Sis, no girl but the
one | marry will ever wear that ring,
| You think this matter over and III
Jconie back again"
Three weeks later Dave Hutchins
Iretdrned to his ranch In the West and
one evening Jim Morris the veteran
cowpuncher, observed to Jack Bach
eller a fellow workman; 81 reckon
that when the boss went East he fell
in with some faro sharks and got
trimmed" ,"
'You don't mean to say that David
was taken In by sharper?" inquired
Jack incredulously.
well, il shorely looks as II he had
been relieved of that $1,000 opal and
diamond sparkler of hls'n, as he amt
wearin' 1t no more. Elmer Rigdon.