The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-02-11
|Nr. Barnackel
BY EDITH v. ROSS


uneducated and with no manners
But what can / do?"
These words were spoken to herself
by Il girl who had some sixteen years
before been left at foundlings' home
and who had been given the name OF
Helen and had later chosen the addi-
tional name of Whitman. She had
been retained at the home as an en-
ployee till she approached seventeen.
then was informed that farmer
named Barnackel had written that he
wanted wife and asked whether one
could be sent to him. Helen was in
formed of the opportunity.
After long and fearful delibera
ton. feeling Incompetent to go out
decided to go out to Mr.. Barnackel. If
he was very terrible she might com
NIT suicide. The matron approved of
her resolution. for she was comely.
and the good woman feared that with
her inexperience she might fall vic
tim to some designing person.
Mr.. Barpackel was Informed that
there was young woman ready to
accept his proposition, and he sent
money for her journey. The heart
broken girl nerved herself to her fate
and one afternoon alighted at Il rail
way station at the village near which
his farm was located. A young farm
err with a whip in his hand approached
her and asked if she was the young
woman who was to marry Mr.. Bar
nackel.
II ann was the reply THAT is. if
he isn't an ogre
The young man smiled. His smile
was very winning. II have a team
here,' he said "Pll drive you to the
farm
When seated in the wagon and he
had said "get up to the horses Helen
expected that he would say something
to her He did not. He seemed to be
thinking.
What kind of a looking man is Mr..
Barnackel?" she asked
Now. the young man was George
had written for a wife. The uncle
was fifty years old, his face looked
like ball of strings, his hair was red
and he was just too unlovely for any
thing. At any rate, that is the way
the daughter OF one of the neighboring
farmers put it. In fact, he was eX
actly what Helen had conceived him
ho ind
must also have been fool or he
would never have sent his good look
ing nephew for a young girl he ex-
pected to make his wife. Upon Hell
ems inquiry George turned his face to-
ward her, displaying a set of regular
white teeth by smiling, and asked:
Suppose I should tell you that he is
a disagreeable old codger and always
cross as bear. What would you do?'
II would jump into the river-that
is, if there is one near by"
There was prolonged silence, at
the end of which the young man said:
"And what would you say if | told
you that / am Mr.. Barnackel?"
Helens heart went up into her throat.
She made no reply to the question: but
she sided nearer to her companion.
Presently there came a subdued voice:
"Are you Mr.. Barnackel?"
II am"
Her face was bent low. He leaned
lower himself and looked up into it.
He saw what he took to be look of
pleasure Perhaps it was relief. The
- l. s~.I0k
sitting at his left. He put his left
arm about her waist. She looked up
at him, her eyes wet a suspicion of
smile on her lips. He kissed them.
How far is it to the farm was
the next thing said.
about three miles,"
George drove over six miles, which
seemed like three to Helen. then stop
ped at a farmhouse.
'Wait in the wagon" he said, while
l so in to tell my mother and sister
you're here They don't know you're
coming
Leaving the reins in her hands, he
went into the house. He was gone
long while. Helen saw the face of
window. then a younger one doing
the same.
"Oh, dear" she said. II hope they're
not going to make him send me back!"
Presently door opened and the two
women came out, the elder in advance.
She welcomed Helen, though she seem
ed constrained Leading her into the
house. the younger woman showed her
to a chamber upstairs and, shutting
the door behind them. took her in her
arms. eXclaiming:
You poor childr
why am to be SO pitied?'' asked
Helen, surprised.
You're not It's all right. Well
make you very happy My brother is
not the Mr.. Barnackel you came out
here to marry That one is my uncle.
crusty old man who would not do for
you at ell. Being rheumatic. he asked