Middletown transcript., 1920-06-05
MARY ANN
BY LILLIAN ARDEll.


& When Mary AIMS father died he
Aeft behind plenty of good will toward
himself and his family, but very few
worldly goods. There was the home
stead. heavily mortgaged, and many
bills receivable. His best traits, good
-humor and forbearance. which had
gained the love of his townspeople, had
made Of him an easy creditor and
lax collector. When his wife spoke to
him on the subject he would drawl,
"Wal. I think heap more Of Hiram
Jones good feelings coward me than
I do Of the $40 he owes me-"
So this was the state Of affairs Mary
Ann had to face-many half forgotten
bills as assets. She carried the big
book Of accounts out to the hammock,
so that she, could enjoy the golden
autumn day while she worked. Sys-
tematically she started at the begin
ming to take a list Of her debtors. AS
she worked long gray roadster sped
by and young man jauntily waved
his cap. Mary Ann tossed her golden
head. What right has pestiferous boy
to think he can wave at any girl, just
because he happens to drive a road
ster, she thought rebelliously.
As she pored over the accounts,
she was amazed with the age Of the
unpaid bills. One, In particular, had
been incurred almost 16 years before.
AS she looked at the name she shifted
disgustedly. "Jan Worthens," she
said aloud. 'tNo more time for him."
Everyone knew Jan Worthens, the
most prosperous farmer in the county,
and 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-like looking
envelopes, addressed in a round, girl
ish Hand. There was a bill for every
debtor. and 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
letter. TITS from Mr.. Worthens, dear.
I do hope there's check in it." Mary
Ann tore it open eagerly, but her face
fell as she read it. Mother, he says
that the bill 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 and
started toward the village. Her
mother shook her head, and told her.
self for the hundredth time, that Mary
Ann certainly was a problem.
She walked rapidly, as was her
habit when she had a definite purpose
to accomplish. She was thinking so
deeply that she didn't hear the whir
Of an approaching motor, and was
quite startled when q long gray road
ster slid a few feet beyond and a
CHEEKY voice said, "Want liftY She
was about to accept gladly, for she
still had another mile to go, when she
remembered that young girl should
never accept a ride with a strange
young man. So she gracefully de-
clined. and the roadster slipped out
Of sight around the bend.
At last she came in sight Of Jan
W0rthens' 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 Worthens..
Mary AIMS heart gave a big leap, but
she was determined to accomplish her
purpose.
She walked up to the nearest pile
Of pumpkins and picked up the largest
one. "Oh, sir!' 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 fancy price. 'That's
a mighty big one, miss. I couldn't
sell it for less than one dollar"
"All right" said Mary Ann. "Tn
take it and we'll let it go on the bill
you owed my father. I am Mary Ann
Hackett. And you may send the rest
any time"
Mr.. Worthens' face grew crimson.
The young man Of the gray roadster
laughed aloud.
As Mary Ann started down the road
he overlook her. I'm Dick Worthens,"
he said. you surely put one over on
dad. But that pumpkin is too heavy
for you to carry. Let me take it home
for you, and you may come along to
hold it, If you wish" Fatigue over
ruled Mary AIMS prejudice, and she
accepted.
That was not the only ride she took
in Dicks roadster, and a year later,
on their wedding day. Jan Worthens
congratulated his son on winning such
q "shrewd young lady,"
0eve1onmel1t II Natures I avs