Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-09
associated

y sted TENDERS. and the rest of the
crowd shouted with delight at the idea
OF the silent Benjamin marrying.
"But he wouldn't know how to ask
girl" suggested Colonel Covell
'Somc one would have to pop the
question for him BY John Rogers"
he added. Il think I'll do il for him!
I've maiden aunt back east who's
been crazy to get married for more
years than I've lived. Her names
Adora Dedrick. and she must be about
sixty now.
''She's got little money. and she
may think that he's marrying her for
that. but she'll take him. Wen carry
along the game until we've proposed
for him. and then wen let Ben get
the answer or else Wen bring the old
lady on and let him fight It out with
her.
"That would be great" declared
TENDERS approvingly. Let her walk
right up TO him and put her arms
around his neck and say Darling" I'll
bet that viii scare him into talking"
I'm be one to help pay the old ady'S
travelling expenses on this here cxcur
sion" broke in Denver BIZ. who dealt
bank. "What will ii costf'
Say S400." suggested Covell as he
took off his hat and threw In so. In
few minutes more than the needed
sum had been realized. and. chilling for
pens and paper. Covell wrote the first
letter. while the rest of the crowd
locked on.
Betterey was not disliked in Bal
moral. but his taciturn ways and his
refusal to make one of the crowd that
nightly thronged the Brindle Pup
marked him man apart from the rest,
Hence the crowd was willing to pay
for the pleasure of seeing his amaze
Inent when his undesirable bride elect
should appear.
Unmindful OF all postal regulations.
the postmaster agreed to let Coyell
have the letters addressed to Dan Bet
terley should any come from the little
New England town where Miss Adora
sDedrick lived. Presently It came, a
heavy letter in which Miss Dedrick eX-
pressed willingness to correspond
with man so well recommended by
Cousin Covell.
Il guess she's forgotten you, Col.
suggested fIenders when this line was
reached. bui Covel merely grinned ap-
preciatiyely ard continued TO read
There was little to laugh at in the
letter. Indeed. more than one IN the
crowd wished there was some one
back east who would write letters like
that to him. but Covell's vivid deserip
ton of Miss Dedricks oyerripe charms
and the thought Of what Dan would
say when she arrived kept the Joke
alive during the correspondence that
followed Fnally when Miss Dedrirk
wrote that she was sending her pie
ture and the accompanying photo
graph proved to be that Of a comely
girl scarcely out Of her teens Coveu
Tolled on the floor IN his delight
cousin Adora was that old before
they knew how 10 take pictures. he
insisted. "She must have begged This
OF photographer I think thar MS
time 10 spring the joke now Wen
send her the money 90 come ou with
and ask her 90 start at once Dan wii
see this picture and when Cousin
Adora comes reckon he'll be some
surprised"
Coven laboriously indiied a lengthy
letter. in which he declared Dams 10
ability 81 wait longer for bis bride aul
begging her TO come west al once
4 few days later telegram tele-
phoned from the railroad town fn
camp announced her start and when
they had learned the SENSE If the
message the plotters allowed 70 to ~
delivered. while az the same time Miss
Adoaas last letter and her pi tura. n-
closed 81 the original letter wore
placed back Ia the postofice aud ~
llvered 10 Dan TINT evening
The Rrindle Pup kept open unfil 4
o'clock In the morning INIT the earl.
est news might be learned but nan
gave no sign that he was disturbed
scout reported that his shack was
IN darkness
Il don't think ia lose sleep uly-
self" admitted IIenders with regret
Il suppose Il took him rather sude IN
that some cne's done his cour,ing for
him. but he's willing 20 make rood fer
HIS unknown friend with the original
Of that photograph"
"Waif until he sees what he draws
reminded Covell Hell 60 some SHY
bf sleep when Cousin Adora gets after
him with al those letters She'll nsv
er believe that he didn't write them"
The thought cheered The dlsappeint-
"a ones. and even when Dan went
quietly 70 his claim on the morrow
and did not even ask the postmaster
about the letter they chuckled 80 hey
thought 81 The awnkenlng thrt wa IN
store for him.
Every man In the camp was On