Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-02-28
Aunt Patsy. Proposal.
(From the New York Herald.

II was never a strong advocate of
the idea that women ought to propose"
said the red-headed man. Still. I
know one woman who took matters
own hands n wound up the business
so neatly and in SO nov a manner
that she won plaudits from everybody
who ever heard the story.
This woman was known the county
over as Aunt Patsy Mitchell. Aunt
house that was set own in the middle
OF an immense yard. The yard at one
time was we'll shaded. but the trees
a been felled n by one until MOTH
ing remained standing but a few cedar
trees and n monstrous q k This
oak stood in a corner not far from the
front fence. 1t was h most perfect
specimen of fine. symmetrical forest
tree to be found in that part of the
county. and Aunt Patsy had always
been very proud of 1t. It's a grand
type OF endurance h had often been
tree is. 1t ought to be standing 500
years from now. Knowing those to
be her sentiments. the surprise Of the
nefghbOrs vas unbounded when 1t was
learned that Aunt Patsy had sent for
W wood cutters and had ordered them
to chop own the oak tree three feet
from the ground.
- ASW ~ NAS NlC0 a UcClI
felled and dragged away l was walking
past Aunt Patsy's house with Walter
Craig. Craig was a man who had
managed my fathers farm for several
years. From the top of his head to the
sole of his foot Craig presented a very
striking single feature was his mouth.
That organ was kept wide open day
n night. sleeping or walking. Craig
really had very good. sound ense.
especially in all matters pertaining to
the management Of a farm. but his
Of idiocy. which greatly belied him in
the opinion of the neiRhbors. But,
however much he might be ridiculed
by others. I had firm faith In his judg-
ment, SO when he proposed that day
that we stop and see Aunt Patsy a
We neared the house We saw Aunt
Patsy herself standing at the front
gate. We went up and stopped on
the other side.
Aunt Patsy said Craig. 4 don't
van to be pryin.' but I'd like to know
what you had that tree whacked over
for?'
For a moment Aunt Patsy seemed
embarrassed.
ct reckon she said. theresa whole
raft of people hereabout d like to know
that very same thing
~ reckon said Craig. there u.s.
well returned Aunt Patsy. I don't
they won't hold their breath till they
md out. No but what they're 1oin'
to some day. for they are. but they'll
have to bide my time
Craig nodded respectfully. And
h you goin' to do with the stump.
Aun Patsy?' he asked. You ought to
have that drug up by the roots.'
81 Oughtn't do anything Of the kind
retorted Aunt Patsy. I've made all
and I certainly don't cal'late to have it
drug out
.swell. them suggested Craig. I'd
train honeysuckle or something around
It next summer. 1t don't look very
well standin' up there rcught and UNI
even, like that
Aunt Patsy looked at Craig quix-
xical!y. I've made my cal'lations.' was
b was In the fail. All winter
the oak stump stood in Aunt Patsy's
mont yard. bleak and drear, but early
IN q spring two men who were used
20 clearing Oh. were called In for :
consultation. and Aunt Patsy rave
them instruction 70 burn out the heart
Of the stump. A week later the only
thing remaining Of the prize oak was
Tn yoln4 to eet some bees., said
Aunt Patsy. when Craig and I stopped
q hor gate soon afterWard and aeked
her ahout the skeleton. I've always
Wonoeo . oWnrm, and I callato TO turn
thas stamp Into . hive tor EN-. m
49, H. top Foo6ed OVER. It seems 70
- ~ - Z raal han6y plAee TOR ''emL
- following day Aunt Patsy woat|
MO ewn. - 49, eone $780,. anA1