Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-07-15
A Sociological
Exhibit
Josefa Followed Her Nose, as
Was to Be Expected.
By MARTHA M'cULLOcn.WlLLlAMS

II Josefa had not had the Morris
nose things might have happened. The
Morris nose, understand, was more
than q feature-rather a hall mark Of
sorts throughout Rabun county. Who
ever owned it was held bound not only
to follow 1t, but to keep it going In the
social lines marked out by Great-grand-
faher Morris, gentleman whose spir-
it had been as high as his nose.
She was not high spirited, but in
stead meek and lOwly In mind, as be-
came her very moderate fortune. Her
mother, a born Morris, had married
badly. At least the family thought SO
and had never scrupled to say that
poor Billy Clayton never did but one
sensible thing-namely, dying before
he had quite wasted his wife's dowry.
She had brought him land and money
and the land remained, only little
farm, to be sure, but big enough to
maintain the widow and her child.
1t would take managing, Of course,
but the Widow Clayton, she that was
Anne Morris, was born manager.
That was exact truth. In proof take
the fact that when JOsefa was eight
cen she had been fairly educated, kept
always In wholesome comfort and had
had all along clothes quite as good as
any Of her richer cousins.
What wonder then that Cousin Anne,
who never whined or asked for any
thing-advice least Of all-was well
liked and wholly respected throughout
the whole family connection.
What wonder either that Cousin
Maria Dalton, also born Morris, who,
having no children, was chronic join
er and daughter Of whatever came
along, took a violent fancy to Josefa.
Maria Dalton was mighty proud Of the
Morris blood and dotted especially upon
great-grandfather. She had copy of
his portrait over the mantel in her
front parlor and had cOaxed Lemuel
Morris, his eldest grandson, into giving
her his commission in the Continental
army. That, too, of course, was franz
ed and hung up beside the portrait.
Inevitably the next thing was to en-
terrain her fellow daughters upon the
occasion when state chapters fore
gather, and that meant having Cousin
Anne and Josefa help in the entertain
ing, notwithstanding neither of them
beloged to so much as one chapter.
There were reasons. Mrs. Dalton was
careful to explain to the visitors
Cousin Anne was the greatest home
body, and Josefa, staying with her
dutifully, had no need Of belonging.
Eyes: Josefa is going to be my heir
ess. 1 believe SO in blood" she confid-
ed to the lady president. That person
pricked up her ears. Mrs. Dalton was
rich, and the lady president had son,
a lawyer, just starting to practice in
the county town. He needed a wife
badly, especially one with expectations
and family influence, and he was right
on the spot, having come along with
the chapter. not only by way of escort,
but as speaker of the occasion. He
had seized upon 1t rs a chance to show
his enthusiasm for local history. His
mother, Mrs. Melvin, was inclined to
regard the fact in the light of a special
providence. She managed to speak
with him quietly. little apart, before
he read his paper and was delighted to
hear him throw into the reading solid
chunks Of enthusiasm for Rabun coun-
ty and its glorious past
Before the assembly broke he had
met Josefa and talked with her a good
half hour. Next week he called on her
and the next and the next. Mrs. DIAL
ton was early taken into his confidence
and Of course was his warm advocate.
Eyes, as you say, JOsefa Is Morris
out and out, all but the name, and we'll
change that" she said, smiling at him.
"And, remember, you are going into
politics. l want you to be senator at
the very least. No matter how high
you 60, Josefa III do you credit. But
don't you fool yourself thinking you
can get her just for asking. That is
not the way with girls Of the Morris
blood. Court her like man and don't
take NO If she gives 1t to you the first
time"
Jack Melvin listened, yearning to grit
his teeth. He was not the least bit in
love. JOsefa was not pretty for all she
was SO fresh and wholesome, and he
craved beauty above everything. Be-
sides, there was Amelia Ware, but he
dared not let himself think of her
Since they could not marry he meant
to marry this JOsefa. l made him
laugh only to think of her saying mo"
to him. How could she when she knew
nobody else save few awkward coun-
try fellows?
Imagine his state of mind when Jo-
sefa did say "No" the first time, the
second, the third and each time more
and more as though she meant it. Aft.
er the third rejection he went to Mrs.
Dalton. She laughed laugh Of indul-
gent pride when he had finished, but
said emphatically: 81 don't blame Josey
mot bit You've got the name Of
, being dreadful flirt. Whether or no
you deserve it am not saying. I'll go
over and stay all night with Cousin
Anne tomorrow You come out the
next day. I think you'll find things
changed bit"
Woman disposes; man proposes;
sometimes fate intervenes. Josefa
stood with fate in this particular wres-
tie. She said "No" again and in way
that told Jack Melvin at least the
game was up. But Mrs. Dalton held on
stoutly to her plan. Cousin Anne had
fallen in with 1t ardently. For all her
thrift she had whole lot Of family
pride. Moreover. she wanted JOsefa to
pat tho dalton money So she jOinod