Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-03-27

pair OF willing hands? He had not the
ghost of a chance.
I'm off TO the wars; TO the wars
i must go,
came the clear strains from the sled
"Off to the wars"-a wild impulse arose
within him TO do something, to dare
a deed that would thrill her and win
her. But there were no wars to go TO,
no field of hazard where stout heart
might all In moment snatch fame
and fortune-more the pity. The old
days were best; there was a chance
then for all. But he must do some
thing to win her: something indeed
he must do, and at once. But what"
And thus he sat bumped up and
dreamy, and saw nothing of the moon
light. and the Wild scenery of the
gaps and the mountains ragged and
picturesque all about. And he scarcely
realized when at last they arrived at
the little mountain inn and the ride
was over. AS he helped to unspan the
horses, he was still 'off to the wars,
daring deeds that should make her turn
in disgust from the clod beside her,
and fly to him-ah, TO him!
The inn had little stable room and
they were content to fasten the horses
under a long shed protected on all
sides save one. The time would be
short; it would scarcely pay to go
out among the farmers for better ac-
commodations.
Then they sought the house, great
boys that they were. pushing and slap
ping one another, joking and chatting,
full to the brim OF animal spirits and
laughter and whole souled enjoyment
OF the night. The girls were already
inside, taking off hood and wrap, dis
closing pink cheeks and sparkling eyes.
as full Of life and spirits as the boys
themselves.
Then came the chicken and waffle
supper, with it's wonderful ac-
compartment of spreads" and
other good things--a repast to
dream about. 1t was no cold,
correct dinner party with myriad
courses and noiseless walters and vel
vet voices; where the diner in dress
suit nibbles daintily at this and that
and exchanges epigrams and soft moth
ings with the exquisite creature at his
right Every one was completely at
home and wholly at his ease. He had
come to enjoy himself to the utmost,
and that was the business OF the hour.
The stCwed chicken, tender and brown,
swimming in gravy fit for gods, came
again and again into the circle Of de-
struction and still there was call for
more. Great, brown piles OF waffles,
blistering hot, were brought in steady
stream to the tables to disappear like
water into sink holes. They were
a.
drenched with syrup or chicken gravy
as from a hose, cut deftly into quarters
and eighths by swift shearing of knife
and fork, and slowed away-one--twO
three. And all the time there was
laughter of boys and giggling of girls,
and Jokes and banter, and clashing Of
knives and forks and dishes. Cold for
mality and the "Mr." and Miss" of po-
lite society were miles away over the
ridges. 1t was "BilH' and Dan" and
Hat" and Liz" VIII dared May to
eat another waffle and she smeared
one with apple butter on the instant
and put it where it belonged" amid
roars OF laughter. Then 1t was her
turn to challenge him. And thus the
supper galloped to its close.
Up near the end Of the table sat Karl
KeiChline and Rose. He was an i'm
posing looking man as Jim saw him
| from far down the bOard-squarc and
solid, with clean shaVen, cherub face,
which haI not line or shadow A man
| of pork" Jim growled in his throat;
| vet he could not but recognize the
| strength of his rival. A man who
| through mis- own efforts has secured a
competency at 40, and who, moreover,
| has gained a ruling place in his native
| county. is not one to be ignored from
any standpoint. BY every valley STAN
| dard the match was perfect one. and
| Jim recognized IT. But. after ALL what
| could a girl like Rose see in q mere tub
| of a man like that?
| (contiaued Ness Weekl