Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1911-06-23
The Awakening
Of 'BushviIle

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 10
woodland, and there was no quarry.
The 200 inhabitants lived because
they had been created, and there was
sufficient land to go round without
causing disputes.
But a grave problem had arisen.
There had not been a marriage in
Bushville for 25 years, and there were
at least 30 couples between the age
OF Is and As. 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 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 show the same by conforming to
the following orders:
I'D Everyone who is in love must
wear red necktie.
(O Everyone who is not In love
must wear a black necktie.
go Children under the age Of II
must wear white neckties.
20 This order is to 90 into effect
on September /.
"(5) On September there will be
q 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 / arrived.
The day was beautiful, as If 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
q 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 black bow. All seem
ed trife nervous, but still they were
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 tC
see the tie, as Miss Polly approached
the the store. The bonnet stringt
obscured the coveted view. But &
gentle wind waited aside the folds
displaying a red tie. Hiram. Baker
was stirred.
81 guess that | have not treated
Miss Polly properly" he unused. "AnC
to think that she had the courage Il
wear red bow. rbelieve that every
one in the village is in love with hel
tonight"
Hiram took several hours to decide
on his course Of action for the mex
day. The picnic! Yes, everybody wa
there: Miss Polly with her red bow
and Hiram with q red bow. Tn,
Fathers looked at one another. sig
nihcantly. Hiram sought out Mis-
Polly and they had dinner together Il
q shaded nook Of the mountain
stream. She was like girl again
q little embarrassed when they wall
ed OF alone, but formally dignine,
when Hiram became unusually Quiet
Several couples had strolled oil
alone. Others could follow the lea
Of Miss Polly. The Council Of Fatl
srs convened toward the close Of tn
day, and decided that a. the prospect
for the future were bright, the picni
should be continued the next day
Bushville was awake that night Tn
next day 10 "eligibles" were wsarin
the coveted color.
Again Miss Polly and Hiram saul
tered ave. alone, Ike two children
the May-time Of love. Hiram felt
little more confident
Miss Polly" he said. why did 20
wear that little red bow on the fri
day."
1 Because / am IN love-" she reptile
coyly.
with whom, Miss Polly?" he soft
asked.
with Bushville, Of course"
''Then. Miss Polly, you don't loy