The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-05-19
Mr.Barnackel
BY EDITH v. ROSS

cTuSty OlQ man OF the IdrIneT 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 a 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 a farmer
named Barnackel had written that he
wanted a wife and asked whether one
could be sent to him. Helen was In
formed of the opportunity.
After a long and fearful delibera
ton, feeling incompetent to go out
into the world and make living, she
decided to go out 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 rail-
way station at the village near which
his farm was located. A young farm
er with q whip in his hand approached
her and asked If she was the young
woman who was to marry Mr.. Bar
nackel.
~ 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
Rarnackel, nephew Of the man who
had written for a wife. The uncle
was fifty years old. his face looked
like q ball of strings, his hair was red,
and he was just too unloyely 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 a 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 set of regular
white teeth by smiling. and asked:
Suppose | should tell you that he is
a disagreeable old codger and always
cross as a bear. What would you doT
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 l told
you that am Mr.. BarnackelY
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 a subdued voice:
Are you Mr.. BarnackelT
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 it 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 a suspicion of a
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 farmhouse.
"Wait In the wagon" he said, while
l go 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 a
long while. Helen saw the face Of
an elderly woman surveying her from
a window. then a younger one doing
the same.
"Oh, dear" she said. II hope they're
not going to make him send me backl"
Presently a 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 child!'
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 all Being rheumatic, he asked
George to drive you from the station
to his farm. George wants you him
self. Mother has given her consent,
and you are to be married-that is. If
you wish TO marry George-at once"
Helen asked if haste were necessary.
George replied TO this that his bride
belonged to his uncle. was expected by
his uncle and unless the knot We're tied