The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1913-01-30
The Man
That Watched
By HEIOISE BRAYTON

time afore he died. Mabel she didn't
want him to go right of, jest bein
married. but Cy he's not one O. them
kind to throw things away. and he
wanted to lease the farm for the next
season. II he didn't do nothin' TO oncei
1t 'ud have to remain vacant, cause II
was January. and there was somep'n to
do afore pIowin' time. So Mabel she
didn't object.
Cy, havin' got a nice little wife. felt
as II he'd bought thoroughbred colt
that mought be mistreated or some
body mought get away with while he
wasn't around. He had a special
friend. Tom Jlnkins, that he knowed
he could rely on, and he says to Tom.
says he: Tom. I'm goin' west to see
about leasin' my farm. I'm goin' to
stay till | find party to take 1t, so |
may not be back for several weeks
| It's kind o. hard on me 10 leave a new
wife right after marryin', and its
hard on Mabel too. wish you'd go in
and see her oncet in awhile, take her
to Sunday evenin' meetin' and II a
bang up good show comes along take
her to see it. That way she won't be
so lonesome"
"An right. Cy. Anything else?"
NO" said Cy thoughtfully, "nothin'
particeler. You mought keep an eye
on Pete Owsley while I'm gone. Pete
and Mabel were mighty thick oncet.
| didn't know but she'd marry him
stead O. me. Course | have perfect
confidence in Mabel. but ! don't see
no use leavin' stable door open with
out no good reason"
Reckon | catch on. Cy. I'll jest
keep my eye skinned"
| Course 1t wouldn't do to let Mabel
know about it She might not like it."
IL understand. NUNS the word"
The first Saturday night after Cy
went away Tom slicked up and went
to see the bride. He thort she'd un-
derstand his comm better II he told
her Cy was afeared she'd be lonesome
and knowed he was comm. So he
|
allowed Cy was mighty thortful. They
passed a pleasant evenln' together.
and Tom said he'd drop In oncet In
awhile agin.
The next time he did who should he
find there but Pete Owsley. Pete and
Mabel had been jist friendly like. and
Cy's thinkin' there was anything more
between 'em was nothin' but material
jealousy. Mabel she done the best
she could to entertain two callers to
oncet. but Tom he made 1t kind hard
for her. seem her husban' had told
him he didn't want Pete hangin'
around. Fact is Tom tried to set Pete
out. Soon as Pete got on to that he
list allowed he'd set there all night
afore he'd be driv out that way.
The end Of It was that Mabel had to
give 'em a broad hint to go. and they
both went ont at the same time.
"You seemed kind o. huffy tonight.
said Pete to Tom as they went along
the road together under the starlight.
"waal. Cy Mawkins is a mighty good
friend O. mine. and he asked me To
keep his wife from bein' lonesome
while he was away. | didn't expect
to see you there"
"Why notT'
"Waal. | heered you and Mabel was
kind O. thick oncet. and | allowed a
man that had been thick with another
mans wife before she was married
and had lost her wouldn't think 1t jlst
right as soon as the man that beat him
went away to go snoopin' around"
"Oh. We didn't? WAL, all got t.
say is that when | call on anybody
amt goin' to ask your permission"
Jist then the road forked. and they
took different forks. Pete told Mabe
all about Toms interference. and she
sent right off for Tom and wanted t.
know what it meant Tom tried Il
take the 'sponsibility on his own shout
ders, but it want no use. Mabel know
ed Cy had alters been jealous O. Pet'
} and that Cy and Tom was clos,
friends. Takin' these two with tn,
fact that Cy had asked Tom to lool
out for her. she suspected Cy had tolt
, Tom to look out for Pete too.
Wimmen Is kind O. contrary. Ma
| bel managed the matter in her owl
, way. She played soft to Tom, ant
r Tom knowed that Pete come to Sc
: her often. She got Tom all mixed VI
, so he didn't know whether he was Oh
2 his head or his heels She was MAJ
at her husban' for settin' a watch Of
her. as she called 1t. and mad at Ton
for bein' the watch set. but she allow
ed she'd shove all the punishment on
: ter Tom.
Cy got home In the evenin'. Mabe
knowed he was comm and managed t
git Tom and Pete there at the sam
> time. When Cy come up the walk
his home be heered two men a-jawir
at each other. He heered his busur
S friend Tom Jinkins goin' for Pete. tel
b in him that If he ever come there agi
he'd chaw him up.
Cy went in, and there was his wifi
s settin' by the lamp SEWN as uncoI
f sarned as possible. Both the men lool
b ed at him, surprised. and Tom, suddel
r ly comm to himself. looked as If he
t like to git out through knothole.
o "Cy," said his wife. don't be skee
IS ed. You told Tom to take keer Of m
and he's been doin' Of it Next tin