The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-12-10
Mr.. Dean also told the following


joke on his old friend, Jack O'Dare:
jackson, when he returned from the
war, found his home empty and at
once begun a house to house search
for the young wife he had left there
He soon found trace Of her, learn
ing that she had been with certain
neighbors some time before, but on
inquiry there was told she had left
that home to go to another neighbor's
to stay awhile. This happened again
and again, the poor fellow following
her all over the community before
finally overtaking her.
On really meeting her Jackson who
had quite stoppage in his speech,
suffered out "Wy-wy-wy Mer-Mer-
NERVE (Minerva) | did-did-didn't
think I'd find you scat-scat-scattered
all about over the neighborhood this
way"
All Of Mr.. Deans stories about his
good friend O'Dare were not humor-'
GUS however. The following sad true
story of poor Whey O'Dare was
known by his hearess to be the ac-
tual facts. jackson and Minerva re-
turned to their cottage and resumed
their interrupted housekeeping, rear
ing a numerous family. The eldest,
a beautiful intelligent girl, Whey, as
she grew older, because deeply NOR
titled over her poor old fathers fond
ness for his little black Jug, a bad
habit learned during his army life.
His woeful neglect Of poor Minerva
who was compelled to wash for her
neighbors to keep the wolf from the
door was notorious, though he would
occasionally secure employment and
work for some prosperous neighbor,
thus earning supplies for very thigh
I living" for short while relapsing
again into famine when they were
exhausted.
This unhappy life became so un-
bearable to Whey, who in the more
happy homes in which she early Sc
I cured work, ,contrasted them with her
own and realized the hopelessness OF
her situation.
When party of homeseekers left
the neighborhood for the west she
seized her opportunity and Joined
them after they had gone some dis
, lance on the way. She begged as
earnestly to be allowed to accompany
them, that one couple knowing hel
, reasons decided to allow her to re-
main in the party as one of their fam
| lily. The grateful girl lived with then
/ in their new home in Kansas unit
' four years later, she was married t.
: wild young cowboy.
: The year following this hasty stel
! was so dreadful and full of trouble
e her husband being both reckless ant
t brutal that the poor girls health wal
( shattered and she was fortunate whel
: her husband lost his life in drunken
Y brawl.
e Her beauty and evident distress 81
J, touched the heart Of another western
r man, that he at once offered her hi
name and home by marriage. Hi
4 kindness however came too late t
d save the poor girls reason. Befor
a her mind became totally unbalarlce
r she asked her indulgent husband t
a take her back to her father, who wit
# all his faults had loved her dearly.
d She was brought back to Cabi
d Creek but her reason never returne
Il and her frail body soon gave up tn
struggle.
q Her father was much moved by he
e tragic fate and soon 1t was notice
o that great ehangefhad come owe
e him, He overcame his old enem
II Rum"
II jackson O'Dare is yet living wei
II respected old man, though his his be
i loved "Nervie" has long since pre-
y ceded him to better land.
= A grateful nation provides him wit
J. a regular pension and he lives wit
O his children and grandchildren !
y Lewis county, occasionally comm
+ back To look over old scenes.
e Mr.. Dean delighted to recall the 81
q lowing tale In another Of his friend
John OF Lewis county who at on