The Monte Vista journal., 1913-12-20
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NOT A BAD match
By DON Ia GRANGE.

Yes. l am" was the reply.
Got a load?"
only jug to be filled with ile."
You know my sister Sarah lives
over there?"
Yes. guess she do, though l haint
much Of a hand to keep track OF
folks sisters"
We'll. Sarah's got baby a year
old. and she writes me. that 1t can't
walk yet Something seems to be the
matter with his knees or back"
1T sure orter be walkin' at year
old. They say l wasn't quite ten
months old when l could trot right
out doors. Do you want to send any
word to Sarah?"
Il want to drive over and back with
you"
All right. You be ready in fifteen
minutes. Guess the old mare can take
US both and not git tuckered out"
Deacon Pennybone was a widower.
Hannah Savage was a widow.
They had both lived in Delhi for
years. and both belonged to the same
church, but gossip had never even
limited marriage between them. 1t
had never hintsd that either one of
them would marry again.
The drive to Wharton was made.
The deacon went to get his jug filled
with oil, and the widow to see her
sister and the baby. The baby was
walking all right. The next day after
tc mr. hnr hoI 20 IL
less condition 1t had got choked on
spool Of thread and been shook and
dangled head downwards with vigor-
GUS hand! Ten minutes later 1t was
taking its first steps.
The drive out and back was pleas
ant The widower and widow talked
about the new spire for the meeting
house that was going to be erected
the death of Silas Whites cow-the
plentitude Of potato-bugs-rhes success
Of the late Sunday school picnic and
even the best way of killing OF bur-
docks SO they would stay killed. but
not a word nor q hint of anything
closer. They were Just neighbors. II
the subject OF the heather OF Africa
had been brought up they might have
discussed 1t for miles to the exclu.
sion Of all else.
The deacon's sister was his house
keeper. She was a sour-faced old
maid with q sharp tongue. and when
her brother got back home she felt It
her duty to say something. She there
fore remarked:
Il suppose the match was at least
halfmade today?"
What match?" asked the deacon.
She's been trying to catch a man
for the last five years."
Ruth. who you talkin'' about"
why, the widow Savage"
whats wrong with herr"
Shed like to change her name to
Pennybone!"
Say. now" replied the deacon a.
he fred up. you quit talkin' that way!
She hain't the slightest idea Of It II
she has hain't."
"All widders want to marry again"
said the sister.
Then let EN- marry. but none Of
'em will marry mel"
When the widow Savage got home
Mrs. Goodhue. neighbor, dropped in
to ask about the baby over at Whar.
ton that couldn't walk. She was given
full information. and then she re-
marked:
Lots Of folks thought It funny"
What was2"
Your riding over there with Dea.
con Pennybone"
But l don't see anything funny
about that"
well, you hadn't been gone half an
hour when the story was around that
you and the deacon had gone away
to get married"
Upon my soul! The deacon and
me get married! Why. he don't want
me, and l don't want him. II the
fool-killer would come along he'd find
plenty to do in this town."
"Then-then-"
Then nothing!"
What a curious thing is human na.
ture! Here were two people who
were neighbors and friends-notbinp
more. They hadn't thought of each
other once week. unless happening
to meet But now. because a sour.
tempered old maid and gossipy
neighbor made few remarks they be.
gan thinking OF each other.
by goshl" said tho deacon to him.
self as he sat down to milk the COW
that evening. "the widder Savage
wouldn't be such n bad match II q
fnller Xnnfed to marrv n uip Or