The Jasper news., 1921-09-15

boss thnte tricky an dangerous an
wuth less than nothin' ye can eive
him away er kill him, but X ye have
a son-in-lnw thnt's wuthless, ,obody
else will have him nm it's aRln' the |
law. to kill him. Fust ye knew we've
got critter on yer hands that kicks
an won't work an has to be. fed an
Iiquored three times day ON Is
wuth million dollars less than
nothin',"
There wps a moment Of silence.
'When a man Is ligurin' his assets,
It's better to add ten dollars tHnn to
subtract Million" said Abe That's
about as simple as adding up the
weight o. three small hogs"
"What well Of wisdom you are.
Abe" said Kelso. EDO you know any
thing about this young MIssourian
who Is shining up to Btmf'
II only know that he was drink.
ing man up to the time he landed here
and that he threatened TraylOr with
his whip and got thrown against the
side Of ban-plenty hard. He's a
kind Of American king, and don't
like kings. They're nice to look at,
but generally those that have married
'em have had one HI Of time"
Kelso rose and went home to sup
per.
Soon after the supper dishes had
been laid away in the Kelso cabin,
young Mr.. Biggs raped on its door
and pulled the lntchstrlng and entered
and sat down with Mr. and Mrs. Kel-
SO al the fireside.
II have come to ask for your daugh.
ter's hand" he said. as soon as they
were seated. 81 know It will seem
sudden, but she happens to be the girl
want I've had her picture In my
heart always. love your daughter.
l can give her handsome home and
everything she could DESIRE"
Kelso answered promptly: 1--WE are
glad to welcome you here, but we can
not entertain such a proposal, fiatter-
ing as II is. Our daughter is too
young to think OF marriage. Then,
sir, we know very little nbout you,
and may be pardoned II add that
| II does not recommend your
The young man wac surprised. He
had not expected such talk from a
ladder climber He looked at Kelso.
cropping for an answer. Then
perhaps not" said he. II have
been a little wild, but that is all In
the past. You can learn about me
and my family from anyone in st.
Louis. am not ashamed of anything
l have done. May not hope that you
will change your mindT
"Not at present. let the future
take care OF itself"
II generally get what I want" shid
the young man.
"And now and then something TINT
you don't want" said Kelso. bit net
tied by his persistence.
"You ought TO think OF her happL
ness. She is too sweet and beautiful
for 2-home like this"
There was an awkward moment Of
silence. The young man said good.
night and opened the door.
"T'll 60 with you," said Kelso.
He went with Mr.. Biggs to the tav.
ern and got his daughter and returned
home with her.
Mrs. Kelso chided her husband for
being hard on Mr.. Biggs.
"He has had bis lesson, perhaps he
will turn over new leaf" she said.
81 fear there isn't new leaf In his
book" said Kelso. They're all dirty
He told his wife what Abe had said
In the store.
"The wisdom of the common folk Il
in that beardless young giant" ht
said. at Is the wisdom of many gen
erations gathered in the hard schoo
of bitter experience. wonder where
It Ia going to lead him."
As Eliphalet Blggs was going dowr
the south rond next morning he me
BIN on her pony near the schoolhouse
returning from the field with her COW
They stopped.
I'm coming back. little girl" hi
, said.
"What forT she asked.
\ "To tell you a secret and ask you |
question. May l conner
4 T suppose you can-if you wan
Q TO-" she answered.
"Pll come and I'll write to you ant
I send the letters TO Ann"
Mentor Graham. the schoolmasteI
who lived in the schoolhouse, ha'
o come out of Its door.
Q "Good-byp said young Mr.. BIggs, a
J: his heels touched the hnnks Of hi
horse. Then he went flying down tn
: road.