The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-08-20
Romance at
Last

thirty years old, and never a bit Of
romance had come into her life.
When that Is said. II is to be under
stood that she had never had lover.
1t must be further understood that
Nancy wasn't ravishingly handsome
and she didn't have form to remind
and that In a half.gale.
Living In the country as she did,
and knowing many hired men as she
did, some folks thought It queer that
Nancy Baffins had not entangled one
Of them. But the old maids romance
came at last. Steve Croker came to
work for Farmer West. the next
neighbor on the north, and within a
week he was in love.
1t might be said that Steve had
sized himself up before sizing Nancy.
He was bow-legged. He was lop-
shouldered. He had but one good
eye. He was little deaf in one ear.
He had red chin-whiskers, and IL he
didn't look out for It, when he talked
he found himself stammering. No
Steve Croker was no Apollo, and he
knew 1t. For years he had realized
that unless he found and fell in love
with homely woman there could be
no happy fireside for him.
81 have found her at last" he said
to himself after his first peep at
Nancy. And from that hour on there
was a song In his heart.
Just as soon as they were engaged.
which event took place after Steve's
sixth evening call, she began to
poster him. That is, she asked him
II he was willing to die for her.
81 dunno about that" was his
doubtful reply. You see, If should
die you'd lose me and you"
Nancy was disappointed in Steve
didn't want to be.
You don't love me-" said Nancy.
Yes, l do. love you oceans and
oceans"
but II there was an elephant after
me?'
"a big one?"
big as a haystack"
Yes, yes"
Say. Nancy, I'd walk up to him
!, boot him into the next county,"
That satisfied the old maid for
day or two, and then she got to think
!, ing how remote such contingency
was, and she found herself on the
edge of a crouch. She didn't sigh for
: an imaginary hero, but one on the
spot-an up-to-date one.
A few days later Steve came over
!, to help her pick cherries. He had
= climbed to the top of tree when
Nancy called up to him:
steve, do you love me?"
"As much as all the water in Lake
J, Erie!" he answered.
Then be hero. Let go and come
tumbling down."
And break my dinged neck No
, stree! I've got to have neck on
, me after we get married"
! There was another pouting spell,
: and Nancy didn't throw kisses after
A.. the nonhero as he climbed the fence
, and started for home. 1t does seem
/, as II male lovers ought to be more
), obliging, but take them as they run
= and they are a selfish lot. Nancy re-
|
a 1t might have been for longer had
{" not Steve come to say:
II don't know anything about this
hero business you talk of, but I'll
tell you what I'm willing to do for
II your sake
a "Oh, Steve, you are nice now!"
;. 1--WE have lost a ptchfork in the
q horse pond and are going to drain
|, the water off tomorrow. I'll wade
= through 1t first, If you say So"
a "Will you?"
n 81 surely will. There's two feet of
= water In It,"
"Only two feet?"
= "And as much as foot of mud. l
may get mired and lose my life"
- ooh, but you WON'T know you
q won't! Steve 1t isn't bit heroic for
Is man to wade around in a horse
., pond"
r. Then what in thunder am | going
:. to do?"
a The poor girl couldn't tell him,
II and her pillow was wet with tears
"a that night. Steve was good, but he
was so unromantic and unheroic.
" Why couldn't he be just a little diff.
h ferent?
n. There was another of" spell with
"a the lovers, and then one day, as Steve
Il, was hoeing the corn he had planted
when he first fell In love, he saw
lr Nancy driving into town with the old
a white horse, She had passed by a
quarter of mile when he heard the
10 below of Bakers old bull on the
W highway, He ran to head the animal
off and turn him back and presently
Ia was in the middle of the road and
waving the hoe and calling out Then
the bull seemed to come for him. and
" he knew no more for three days. As
n he opened his eyes tear fell on his