The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-03-04
The Awakening
Of BushvilIe


s,Sehvile was asleep II nestled
ortetlv All the base Of the Blue Ridge
mountains, and although not more
than hundred miles from city, the
hamlet was securely guarded from the
innovations OF society There were
no streams by which a pleasure boat
might reach 1t and railroad promot-
ers had not even heard of any place
nearer than 80 miles. There was no
woodland and there was no quarry
The 600 inhabitants lived because
thew mad been created, and there was
sufficient land to go round without
causing disputes
But grave problem had arisen
There had not been marriage y
Bushyine for 25 years, and there were
al least 80 couples between the age
Of is and 45. A council Of fathers was
called. They had never heard OF the
bachelor tax, and they did not know
what the age limit meant. but tney
ala know that something had to be
done Immediately or the land or theH
ancestors would be barren. After the
smoke Of the corncob pipes haa
cleared away, this resolution was lelt
standing.
THAT the Council Of Bushyille
Fathers does declare that everybody
who Is in love or who Is not IN love
must show the same by conforming 70
the following orders:
"d) Everyone who is In love must
wear red necktie.
"( ~ Everyone who is not In love
must wear black necktie.
"t3) Children under the age oi IA
must wear white neckties.
(4) This order is to 90 into enect
on September /.
t5) on september2 there will be
holiday, and every man, woman anu
/ child in Bushyille must attend the
picnic given by the Council Of Fathers
4 for the benefit Of our Improvement
Association.
(Signed) Council OF Fathers.
Rushvjlle was waking up That
same night every inhabitant knew the
action that bad been taken. and there
was fear and trembling In the ranks
Of the unmarried ones. Some OF the
q young men threatened to migrate Du'
four trusty fathers guarded the passes
\ from the settlement
The eventful September arrived
The day was beautiful, as If in den
ance OF secret wishes for disagreeabl'
weather
IJp until 10 o'clock not an eligible
person had appeared on the street
At exactly one minute past III hl
ram Baker stepped from his iron
door. Hiram had been calling on MIS-
Polly Ann Evans for 20 years. A nun
dred prying eyes were upon him, an
as he came into she sunlight they say
4 small black bow The fathers, wh
were assembled at the store. saw tni
and we're astonished
Another black bow appeared I'M
time il was Sam Kimbo, an old 9
fender. and another, and another, an
still another. in bewildering succe
sion. until every eligible" was on "a
street wearing black bow All.seen
cd triae nervous, but still they wei
there. No, there was one exception
The anger Of the Fathers cooled
their homes rose Miss Polly An
Evans appeared.
she wore pink sunbonnet III
men unconsciously stepped forward
see the tie, as Miss Polly approaalt
he the store The bonnet strins
obseured the coveted view But
Gentle wind waited aside the fold
displaying red tie. Hiram Bak
was stirred
Il guess that have not treat'
Miss polly properly" he mused. "A
" think that she had the courage
wear red bow. believe that eve
n one in the village is in love with h
tonight
Hiram took several hours to deci
i. an his course Of action for the ne
(, dav The picnic, Yes. everybody "
I here. Miss Polly with her red bo
= ana Hiram with red bow I
n TafAers looked at one another s
ig ntficantly. Hiram sought out Nj
Of polly d they had dinner together
"a shaded nook Of the mounts
i stream She was like girl agai
+ little embarrassed when they wa
ed of alone, but formally dignif
H. when Hiram became unusually dui
ge several couples had strolled
lie alone others could follow the l.
e. Of Miss polly. The Council OF Fla
sh ers convened toward the close Of
e aav. and decided that as the prospe
= for the future were bright. the pic
ay should be continued the next q
Bnshville was awake that night
next day 20 eligibles" were wear
the coveted color
Again Miss Polly and Hiram sa
lse tered away alone, like two children
eN- the Ma.-time Of love. Hiram fel
au- little more confident.
by MISS polly he said. why did
lts.41<f rod hnru on the