The Washburn leader., 1916-02-11
NG.Barnackel
BY EDITH v. ROSS
BY EDITH v. ROSS

1 1
"Enoch Barnackel! What name!
Any one would know that he was a
crusty old man of the farmer type,
uneducated and with no manners.
But what can do?''
These words were spoken to herself
by 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 q wife and asked whether one
could be sent to him. Helen was in
formed Of the opportunity.
After long and fearful delibera-
tion, feeling incompetent to go out
into the world and make living, she
decided to 60 ont to Mr.. Barnackel. II
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.. Barnackel was informed that
! there was a 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 a rail
way station at the village near which
his farm was located. A young farm
er with whip In his hand approached
her and asked If she was the young
woman who was to marry Mr.. Bar
nackel.
81 am" was the reply. THAT is, If
he isn't an ogre"
The young man smiled. His smile
was very winning. II have team
here" he said. "I'll 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 looking man is Mr..
Barnackel?" she asked.
Now, the young man was George
Barnackel, nephew Of the man who
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
to be. judging from his name. He
must also have been fool or he
would never have sent his good look
ing nephew for young girl he ex-
pected to make his wife. Upon Hell
ems inquiry George turned his face to-
/ ward her, displaying set Of regular
white teeth by smiling, and asked:
Suppose should tell you that he is
disagreeable old codger and always
cross as bear. What would you do?"
II would jump into the river-that
J is, II there is one near by"
There was a prolonged silence, at
the end Of which the young man said:
"And what would you say II told
you that am Mr.. Barnackel?"
Helen's heart went up into her throat.
She made no reply to the question, but
she sidled nearer to her companion.
Presently there came subdued voice:
ga ro Won Mr. Rarnackolp"
II am"
Her face was bent low. He leaned
! lower himself and looked up into 1t.
He saw what he took to be a look of
pleasure. Perhaps 1t was relief The
reins were in his right hand. She was
sitting at his left. He put his left
arm about her waist. She looked up
at him, her eyes wet, suspicion of a
smile ON her lips. He kissed them.
"How far is 1t to the farmT' 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
~ Al " tSAI NY mOlu6E duO S1StSE
you're here. They don't know you're
coming"
Leaving the reins In her hands, he
went into the house. He was gone a
long while. Helen saw the face of
an elderly woman surveying her from
a window, then 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 q chamber upstairs and, shutting
the door behind them. took her in her
arms, exclaiming:
"You poor child!''
"Why am l to be SO pitied?" asked
Helen, surprised.
You're not It's all right. Well
make you very happy. NV brother is