The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-07-09
HE WAS
SQUARE
By MARTHA v. MONROE

~
I ever set eyes on. He's long limbed.
knotty jointed, red headed. freckled.
blear eyed, snaggle toothed. and when
he smiles one would suppose he had
the stomach ache"
The farmer spoke these words early
In July. when the wheat was being
cut One day in August, when the
corn was ready to be gathered, New
ton Simmonds stepped up to bis en-
ployer and said:
"Mr. Simmonds, would y mind my
keepin' company with your darter, e1-
pectin' to marry herr"
what do you mean, you red headed
galoot?'
Just what say. Eunice is the pur-
test gal ever seen. and I'm dead
gone on her. But l wouldn't say any
thing to her about it without gittin'
your permit. There amt nothin' un-
demanded about me-"
"See here, Newt" said the farmer,
struck with the mans sense of honor,
my daughter is spoken for. She's
goin' to marry Hasbrouk's son; you're
not in the race at all. Now just put it
out Of your head"
II won't put it outen my head be-
cause can't. but l won't say nothin'
to Eunice, either, SEEM you don't want
me too. When man brings up
darter. the apple Of his eye. it's darn
mean for Teller he don't want to
have her to 60 steal her away from
him."
you're dead right. Newt. I'm very
much pleased to hear you talk like
that"
This dialogue occurred in the barn,
and the subject of it. Eunice jerks.
was in the chicken house gathering
eggs at the time. so she heard every
word Of it. She was engaged to mar
ry young Tom Hasbrouk and satisfied
to do so. for he would one day own
the Hasbrouk farm. and her parents
desired the match.
Farmer jerks said nothing to his
daughter as to the new application for
her hand One day soon after it was
made he saw Eunice walk down to
where Simmonds was at work She
chatted with the farm hand for a few
minutes. then went on her way to the
village. Her father thought nothing
Of this and soon forgot all about it.
The next day while Simmonds was
cutting hay he saw Hasbrouk walking
rapidly toward Simmonds, who was
driving a reaper. Simmonds stopped
his team and Hasbrouk stood by him
talking adgrily. though jerks could not
hear what was said. Presently Sim
monds jumped down from his seat and
aimed blow at Hasbrouk. Then FOL-
lowed rough and tumble fight in
which Simmonds downed Hasbrouk
and sat on him. Presently be let his
enemy up and Hasbrouk walked away.
THAT must be about Eunice." said
the farmer. Il wonder how Tom got
on to the fact that Newt wants her?"
From a window Eunice had watched
the fight and seen her lover worsted.
She had been the cause Of the trouble,
but this did not prevent her from 60
ing out later to ;Simmonds and asking
him what was the matter between him
and Hasbrouk
HE riled me with his talk" Sim
monds replied.
"Talk about what?'
Simmonds hesitated for moment,
then said, "Reckon. Miss jerks, you'll
have to ask Hasbrouk about that"
Eunice didn't press the matter be-
cause she knew all about the cause of
the trouble already. .....
Dad" she said one day not long
after this episode. Its all up between
Tom and me-"
"Whatv exclaimed the astonished
parent.
II reckon l don't want him"
''I'm mighty sorry about that" said
the farmer. disappointed Il kind o
thought you was provided for in case
anything should happen to me. What's
the matter?"
"Oh. nothin': we just don't happen to
work in harness together"
The farmer, knowing that he could
not force his daughter into a match
that did not please her, said no more
He must wait for some other sutton for
his daughters hand Who that sutton
would be he did not know. Eunice
went quite often to the store and be
rather suspected that one Of the
clerks there had excited her sympa-
thies.
One day Newt stepped up to him
and said:
Il hope y won't blame me, Mr.. Sim
monds."
Blame you for what?''
why, Eunfce told me to come to
you to ask you for her."
"Eunice told you to ask me for her!
What d. y mean?"
That's what she said for me to do.
I told her you wouldn't like it.
hope you won't blame me-"
The farmer looked at his employee
some time before he replied. At last
he said:
mo. Newt. don't blame you. You're