Gunnison news-champion., 1920-05-28
MARY ANN
0y LILLIAN ANoEll-
'fs- ~ Mcclure Ss-,p.psr sy.sAesis

When Mary AIMS father dl-1 he
left behind plenty Of good will toward
himself and his family. but very fev
worldly goods. There was the home
stead, heavily morsagei. and many
bills receivable. His best traits. good
humor and forbearsnee. which had
gained the love Of his iownspeople, had
made OF him an easy creditor and q
lax collector when his wife spoke 20
him on the subject he would drawl.
wal. ] think n heap more Of Hiram
Jones good feelings toward me than
do of the SO he owes me-
So this was the state Of affairs Mary
Ann had to faee-many half forgotten
bills as ASSES She carried the big
book Of accounts out TO the hammock.
50 that she could enjoy the golden
autumn day while she worked. Sys-
tematicslly she started at the begin
ninr 10 take . list OF her debtors As
she worked Q long gray roadster sped
by and a young man jauntily waved
his cap. Mary Ann tossed her golden
head. What right has a pestiferous boy
TO think he can wave at any girl, just
because he happens TO drive 4 road
ster. she thought rebeIliously.
As she pored over the accounts,
she Was amazed with the age Of the
unpaid bills One, 70 particular, had
been incurred almost Is years before.
As she looked at the name she shifted
disgustedly. "Jan worthens." she
said aloud. '.No more time for him.
Everyone tnew Jan worthens. the
most prosperous farmer In the county,
md everyone secretly envied him.
JAMS son and two daughters had al
ways been to boarding school
Two weeks later the mail man had
an extra load Of business-iike looking
envelopes, addressed In round. girl
ish hand. There was a bill for every
debtor. and q little letter asking for q
settlement. Yes. there was even one
for the cold and unapproachable Jan
worthens.
Mary Ann waited for results. A
week brought a few checks and many
promises. but nothing from Jan
Worthens. the biggest debtor. A few
days later when Mary Ann returned
from town. her mother handed her a
letter. Its from Mr. Worthens. dear.
do hope there's cheek In IT," Mary
Ann tore Il open eagerly. but her face
fell as she read II. Mother, he says
that the bin will be outlawed tomor-
row, and we'll never get cent on it."
Mary Ann was quiet and thoughtful
the rest Of the morning. and after
dinner she put on her things md
started toward the village. Her
mother shook her head. and told her
self for the hundredth time. that Mary
Ann certainly was n problem.
She walked rapidly. as was her
habit when she had defiri,e purpose
to accomplish. She was thinking SO
deeply that she didn't hear the whir
OF an approaching motor. and was
quite startled when a long gray road
ster slid n few feet beyond and
CHEEKY voice said, "want liftY' She
was about to accept gladly. for she
still had another mile TO 60, when she
remembered that n young girl should
never accept ride with a strange
young man. So she gracefully de-
ciined. and the roadster slipped out
OF sight around the bend.
Al last she came In sight Of Jan
worthens' farm. She could see the
men little farther on gathering the
pumpkins into great piles. Soon she
came up to them. There was the gray
roadster. and the good-looking young
driver was talking with Jan worfhens.
Mary AIMS heart gave big leap, but
she was determined to accomplish her
purpose.
She walked up to the nearest pile
OF pumpkins and picked up the lsryest
one. "Oh. sir 7" she exclaimed, will
you sell me this pumpkin? It is quite
the largest I've seen" Mr.. worthens
swelled with pride and jumped at the
chance to get q fancy price. THAT'S
mighty big one. miss couldn't
sell II for less than one dollar"
"All right" said Aihry Ann. "IT
take 1t and well let 1t go on the bill
you owed my father. am Mary Ann
Hackett. And you may send the rest
any time"
NAA' VpithShs Aacc kTeW CrlIDSOn.
The young man of the gray roadster
laughed aloud.
As Mary Ann started down the road
he overlook Der. I'm Dick worthens,"
he said. You surely put one over on
dad But that pumpkin is too heavy
for you to carry. Let rue take II home
for you, and you may come along to
hold II. II you wish" Fatigue over
ruled Mary AIMS prejudice, and she
accepted.
That was not the only ride she took
In Dicks roadster. and q year later,
on their wedding day, Jan worthens
congratulated his son on winning such
4 "shrewd young lady"
nsveloor.AaH 4. Aa<.,->,. 4 -.