The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-23
TEE EVENING STORY
Camping on His Trail.
By Bryant G. Rogers.)

(Rv BRYANT Q. ROgerS.(
Miss Abigail Jones, spinster of thirty
eight had her own little home IN Ine
viIIaea of Dawson. Almost every day
of her life. after passing the age Oh zo'
she had been met with the query:
''Now, Abigail, why don't you marry
some nice man and have home thaC Is
homer" 81
Every man and woman knows that TO
marry there must be man ana a
woman Here was the woman, but
where was the man? Abigail wasn't so
very homely, and she wasn't SO very
gawky Worse looking women imam
she were getting married every oay-
Up to the old maid age a young man
occasionally looked her way, but not
with serious intentions. After that
period she was let alone. 1t wasn't
fair, square deal by woman, put no
one appeared to be directly to plane
for it, Dawson was a sleepy old VII
1age, seldom visited by OUTSIDERS anu
when a widower or bachelor took
notion to marry he headed some other
way.
Abigail was patient as girl, and she
was patient as an old maid. She had
read that all things come to the man
who waits; and she couldn't see why it
didn't apply to a woman as well what
should come to her was a husband. But
there was no telling when he would APP
pear. Things were placid and monot-
onous when a tin peddler same along
one dav to stir up the calm waters. He
had sold Abigail a basin and wash
dish. and they bod talked about it
being a poor year for corn, when he
asked:
How comes it that you are not mar
ried?"
"Just happens So" was the reply.
s'It isn't right You are entitled to a
husband as much as any other wom-
an"
but If I'm not asked to marry?''.
'JIm! I'm! He don't come along,
eh?"
Hasn't YETI
but it isn't right
"Wel1?"
Look here woman" said the ped
dler as he took a seat ON the wash
bench at the kitchen door, when
made up my mind to get married what
did I DOR
Went ahead
yes. went ahead and found the girl
who'd say Yes If hadn't I'd have
been an old bach now
well, again.
eff nobody comes looking for you
why don't you do a little looking for
yourself?''
"You-you mean that I'm to run after
a mani? exclaimed the blushing Abb
gil.
"Say, woman, be a philosopher for a
ranged that a man was given all the
advantage in this matrimonial bust
ness? He can choose and pick, but a.
woman is limited to those who call
She must take what is offered or go
without any. The custom is as old as
the world, I guess, but it's a blamed
poor custom. I've given it much
thought, and have come to the conclu-
sion that it's responsible for half the
divorces and misery of life.
What would you have an old maid
do % was asked after long silence.
Force a square deal from man. Now
you listen to me. The Bascomb farm,
down over the red bridge road has
been sold to Mr.. Thomas. He's a
bachelor of forty. He's moved in, and
will keep house all alone until he can
find a wife Yes, he'll go sauntering
he has the whip hand, and when he sees
one of your sex that takes his eye he'll
condescend to ask her to be f1is'n. It's
his privilege under the custom, but I'm
saying darn the custoTn!'
''It isn't likely that Mr. Thomas and
I shall meet" replied Abigail with d
sigh.
FThen it will be your fault and my
breath will have been wasted. Knock
this lifelong custom into a cooked
hat
You can't mean"
But do! Put on your hat and walk
over there this afternoon and size him
up. If you like the looks of him camp
on his TRAIL
Mercy. mani"
ASK him for his heart and hand
Why not? Tell him that you love
him as no woman ever loved a man
before, and that life will be a dreary
desert without him. I got that off to
the girl who is now my wife Nine
men out of ten do Why shouldn't |
it be turned about? If he don't re-
turn your love-if he says that yol |
are too late, and that his heart has |
been given to another, there's no great |
harm done. I got the knockout punch |
twice before I was made happy Mer |
never die of these things, and wo |
man won't. It is better to have loved |
and lost than never to have loved at |
all"
But what will folks say-what will |
they sayi'' gasped Abigail as the ped |
dler arose to depart.
But if you get a husband through |
the world and your sex a new deal |
dishpan with two ears People said |
the world was not ready for the chance. |
but we know it was. You may travel |
for a year now and not find a one |
cared dishpan. Think 1t over. Good |
day"
1t was not that afternoon, but the |
next, that Abigail Jones appeared at /
the Bascomb farm. Farmer Thomas |
was working in the fields, and half /
an hour after her arrival he came to