The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-12-06

didn't say q word. BY Jove, II all made
me Q bit sick. don't you know. Oh.
l must have been maudlin. that's what
--maudlin. / managed to wag my
head to start him OF again: couldn't
speak. you know!
Yes. sir" Then you says: That's
all right. now. my boy: SO you run
along. because I'm awfully busy. To-
morrow well talk some more
"'Bully!' says the chap. Good night.
old mani Then he turns back. kinder
smiling sidewise. It's sure on the
level. is II. that you're going to let me
have a clear road with Frances"
"'Oh. bother Frances!' you says
laughing. Yes, yes, and when you
win her. she'll be TO me as my own
girl. And know I'll have her love.
too
What's that says the young fel.
low. kinder frowning. And you says.
easy-like. Why. we'll just be one hap
by family Then you chuckled like
you was mighty pleased and says:
And think she Is learning to like me
pretty well already. Why. do you
know what she did tonight? She
came right up to me and in the sweet.
est way kissed me good night"
OH" I said. digging my fingers
into the bedclothes. Obi"
Yes. sir" scid Jenkins chokily. He
went on: This young fellow Just
marches right close up to you and
says. speaking kinder quiet and his
eyes shining. You say Frances kissed
your And you sorter gave a laugh
and dug him in the side and you
says. I do believe the boy is Jealous.
Why. yes. you rascal. she certainly
did-she kissed met
Well, it's a lie.' he says back.
pointing at you with his finger. Be
cause II Amt like her. And he got
closer.
See here he says. have you Just
been trying TO get gay with me to-
night? Huh!-well, I'm Just going to
box your jaws for luck!'
'What?' you gasps-'what's thaty
and you storms up to him-'Why.
you young puppy. do you know who
you're talking to- you says.
BAH he says. and he just goes up
and snaps his fingers in your face
You chokes kinder, and then you
yells at him: Why. you young ruf.
fan, I've spanked you before. and
can do II again
yah" he says, making faces at
you. You spanked. You hit me when
I wasn't looking. Ny foot slipped
Foot slipped. you BANKED fool.'
you shouts at him. and then" Jen-
kins wiped his forehead-"Then the
next thing see. you mixed"
Ali" breathed with relief. That's
better,"
chuckied. Then suddenly felt re-
morseful.
Where did I hit him this time. Jen.
kins-did you notice? Was he hurt
much?"
Jenkins looked down. avoiding my
eyes. I'm. not exactly, SIR" he said:
I'm fact. II was-er-kinder the other
way"
/ stared, aghast.
You don't mean, Jenkins"
Jenkins evidently did, His eyes ex.
pressed both pity and embarrassment.
What he did 10 you."-he rolled
his glance upward, trying to shape
the idea-'I believe. SIR. it's what you
might call-his voice dropped-'I be-
lieve it's what they do call wiping up
the floor with"
closed my eyes an instant.
Finish" whispered. feebly nip.
ping my hand at him.
He left then, sir, but the noise
brought Wilkes and We helped you
upstairs. You wouldn't go any farther
than the door OF the judges bedroom
wanted to tell him. We supposed.
When we got that far. noticed Mr..
Jack Billings door-it's right oppo-
site, you remember, sir--was standing
just little open. He called out very
anxiously and shrill: oh. do be very
careful OF the pajamas! My! my!
hope the pajamas are not hurt!'
And at that. you just bangs In
sue INC IuuSe IOOiu aHu lh dpOut
two minutes. he stuck his head out
looking kinder towsled and mad like
he'd been walked from a sound sleep
and he fires ,wrapped.up parcel al
the door opposite and yells:
There are your pajamas, you I'm
natural, heartless prodigal! Pajamas
| indeed, ut such a time!' And then
see Mr.. Jacks arm come out and fist
the package inside.
Then the Judge turns on me anc
| wilkes and ordered us to clear ouI
and 60 to bed. And wilkes said wee
best do 1t because the Judge woult
take care OF you and get you to youl
room quietly. And The last thing
heard before he slammed inside MI
room was:
There's one thing; I've got {
daughter!'
I looked at Jenkins miserably. HI
was right: he did have a daughter
and I wanted her. But just now.
wished with all heart that she was
somebody's-,anybody else's daughte
than that OF the man who had wit
messed my humiliation.