Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-06-09

what the age limit" meant, but they
did know that something had to be
done Immediately or the land of their
ancestors would be barren. After the
smoke of the corn-cob pipes had
cleared away, this resolution was left
standing:
That the Council of Bushville
Fathers does declare that everybody
who is In love or who Is not In love
must showothe same by conforming to
the following orders:
% Everyone who is in love must
wear red necktie.
(2) Everyone who is not in love
must wear black necktie.
(3) Children under the age Of IA
must wear white oneckties.
% This order is to 90 into effect
on September l..
TO- On September 2 there will be
holiday, and every man, woman and
child In Bushville must attend the
picnic given by the Council Of Fathers
for the benefit Of our Improvement
Association.
(Signed) Council of Fathers"
Bushville was waking up. That
same night every inhabitant knew the
action that had been taken, and there
was fear and trembling In the ranks
Of the unmarried ones. Some Of the
young men threatened to migrate, but
four trusty fathers guarded the passes
from the settlement.
The eventful September l arrived.
The day was beautiful, as II in def
ance of secret wishes for disagreeable
weather.
Up until 10 o'clock not an eligible"
person had appeared on the street.
! At exactly one minute past 10 Hi
ram Baker stepped from his front
door, Hiram had been calling on Miss
. Polly Ann Evans for 20 years. A hun
dred prying eyes were upon him, and
as he came into the sunlight they saw
small black bow The fathers, who
were assembled at the store, saw this
and were astonished.
Another black bow appeared. This
time it was Sam Kimbo, an old Of
fender; and another, and another, and
still another, in bewildering success
sion, until every eligible" was on the
street wearing a black bow. All seem
Cd a trife nervous, but still they we're
there. No, there was one exception.
The anger Of the Fathers cooled az
their hopes rose. Miss Polly Ann
Evans appeared.
She wore a pink sunbonnet. The
men unconsciously stepped forward to
sSe the tie, as Miss Polly approached
the the store. The bonnet stringe
obscured the coveted view. But q
gentle wind vaftsd aside the folds,
displaying a red de. Hiram Baker
vas stirred.
Il guess that l have not treated
Miss Polly properly" he unused. '"And
to think that she had the courage to
wear a red bow. believe that every
one In the village ID In love with her
tonight" 30
Hiram took several hours to decide
on his course Of action for the next
day, The picnic! Yes, everybody wal
there: Miss Polly with her red bow
and Hiram with a red bow. The
liFathers looked at one another sig
nifcantly. Hiram sought out Miss
Polly and they had dinner together II
q shaded nook of the mountain
stream. She was like girl again
q little embarrassed when they walk
ed of alone, but formally digni6eC
when Hiram became unusually quiet
/ Several couples had strolled Of
alone. Others could follow the leat
Of Miss Polly. The Council of Faith
Ors convened toward the close Of tn,
day, and decided that as the prospect
for the future were bright, the picni,
should be continued the next day
Bushville was awake that night. Tn,
next day 20 "eligibles" we're wearing
the coveted color. H
Again Miss Polly and Hiram saur
tered away alone. Ike two children 4
the May-time Of love. Hiram felt
little more confident.
Miss Polly" he said, why did 20
wear that little red bow on the frs
day." 90,
}, Because ! am in love-" she reptile
coyly.
with whom. Miss Polly?" he softl
asked.
o with Bushville, Of course"
A Then, Miss Polly, you don't Low
met" he said, sadly.
Hiram, you hsve not yet said tbs
you love me-"
But l do. and you know 1t. hav
hesitatetd. but forgive me, and I'll TT
to make up. Thirty-eight is not to
old, is 1t, darlingr
{ you may hss me. Hiram" wa
the answer.
And he did. saying. And toda
wen tell the good news.
you needn't" abe said. DRAWN
closer. They knew It. for one Of Ii
= Fathers is looking st u.s.
Hushvflle was 4ide awake.