The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-11-09
POOR OLD Whitley
THE MATCHMAKER
Happy Result of the Killing OF
Cow.
By MARIAN GOHDON.

Elida BiSSeIl leaned over tHe soeS
and watched the struggling line OF
animals crossing the dusty road from
the pasture to the open gate that lea
to the barnyard Old Whitley stroiied
at the end Of the procession paus'ng
to nibble at the parched grass by the
roadside while her master laporeo
with the refractory latch OF the pas
ture gate.
Suddenly there came the blare or
motor horn and around the curve at
the top Of the hill there darted a Dig
red touring car. 1t came plunging
down toward the luckless Whitley
who had paused in its path to stare
curiously at the oncoming monster
Crash! There was a frightened
below from poor Whitley uttered Win
her last breath, a scream from Ellda
who bad closed her eyes tightly.
roar of warning from Simon blsseli
at the instant Of impact. Then the
big car wobbled on from side to side
Of the road. gained speed and disap-
peared In a cloud OF dust.
The red car had left disaster In It's
wake for old Whitley lay a still white
bulk In the hedge.
Simon Bissell stamped across the
road pale with passion. He was an
elder In the church and did not swear
but his expression was such that ELY
da seemed to hear the profanity OF
this thoughts.
"Oh, father, dont!" che cried. I'M
pulsively.
"You-you saw IT." he demanded
"Of course-it Is dreadful! Poor
old Wi'tey. Do you suppose she IL
dead!"
"Humph!" Simon went up to the
PROSTATE animal and examined her
Whitley was dead.
Hot tears sprang to Simon'a eyes
Whitley had been the first COW he had
ever owned. When he had married
Elida's mother she had brought the
beautiful white COW as part OF hel
dowry
What a coward that man must
have been!" exclaimed Elida later al
they ate supper together.
Simon nodded. He'll stop and set
tie with me the next time he comes
this way" he said significantly.
What do you mean, father? Sup
pose he Just tears past as he die
today"
I'll make him STOP" declared 81
mon moodily and later, when El1ds
saw him cleaning his shot gun ant
loading It she understood.
please don't do anything like that
father" she pleaded tearfully. ~
course we loved old Whitley but yo'
can't take a mans life in return TO
that of a COW no matter how val
liable"
Il didn't say would take any
body's life. Ida" he said sternly
but l will make him stop and settl
with me-the hound!"
Elida's pretty face was troubled a.
she finished washing the dishes ant
walked slowly out to the scene Of tn
late tragedy.
Whitley still lay there In the hedg
and in a locust tree above her stil
form Of robin was singing its evening
hymn.
Its poor Whitey's requiem,
thought Elida as she walked away
Her foot struck something hard an
fat and she stopped and picked froI
the dust the number plate from a
automobile. The number was 444.
Now, father can identify him will
out trouble or Violence" murmure
Elida Fastening toward the house.
But she paused and drew back a
there came the warning sound of
motor horn from the top of the hi
and once more the red car sweI
down, this time at a more sober pac
The solitary occupant made no motto
to stop the car and as he neared Elid
she stilled her natural shyness an
waved her hand at him.
} ooh, please stop!" she cried eagerl
: To her surprise the red car can
to a standstill within a few feet
Whitey's recumbent form and vel
good looking young man removed h
: cap and smiled at her.
! rs something the matter!" he /
quired.
Elida flushed Indignantly. "Perhal
you kill SO many cows that one al
! mel more or less does not count" 81
! flashed.
. Fl don't understand" he returnt
with a puzzled look. Il will confe
to having slaughtered several chicken
\ in my mad career but my conscien
: 10 quite blameless Of cows" The
I was a smile in his blue eyes tn
Elida resented.
What do you call that?" she aske
d pointing to Whitney.
by Jove, a dead COW! You thil
Q I killed it?''