Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-16
Marion, the
Son-Daughter
BY MARTHA MeWILLIAMs
1921, by Mcclure Newspaper syndIca

g. 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper sShu'S"'"
Another daughter? Seven in little
more than ten years. What TO be"
come of that family is beyond me.
John and Mollie ought TO see that II
is actually criminal-havlng q family
of this sort, witlr~no chance of provid-
Ing for it," Mrs. Fortner commented
fretfully, looking up from the speclai
letter in her hands. ~
Miss Drave, her spinster sister-in-
law, said acidly: Seems like they're
proud Of their perfOrmance-in such
hurry to let you know Of It"
"They are! You should. hear Mol
lie" Mrs. Fortner returned "Says she
Is so lucky-has never had to make
single set of baby-clothes-just piece
at q time, as the first were handed
down. And that she can be thrifty
Without hurting the children in the
least-they don't have to wear things
the least bit tight-shOes even can
be passed on, SO no feet are cramped.
/ feel like shaking her-but what good
would 1t do? John Is just as bad.
asked him what under the sun he eX-
pected to become Of his family. lie
only grinned and told me there might
be too many women, but never in the
world could there be too many good
wives. Like Mollie, suppose he meant.
Anyway, he sounded mad TO Inc. NO
girl can marry we'll if she is not well
brought forward. Though l can pos
sibly do something if / live to see them
grown, l doubt if one of the flock VIII
have looks enough or wit enough TO
make her worth my bringing out.
you'd have to dress hcr-and
everything. Brother 'Lisha would
never stand for that" Miss Draye SAID
refectively.
Mrs. FOrtner cast up her eyes, say
ing piously: Life is uncertain. NoI&
of us can count on It,"
If there was note of regret over
the uncertainty it was too well masked
TO fill a casual ear.
Mrs. Mollie BrysOn's sole regret
over her seventh daughter was That
she herself was not likewise u seventh.
That would mean untold luck for the
small adorable mite-even better luck
than having come into Il place full OF
loving welcome. John had talr sal
ary-they owned bit OF a home IN
stead of having life insurance, so with
nmnrDnnpipS
what need was there for worry?
Mrs. Fortner was Johns half-SiSter,
the rich woman of the connection so
of course her attitude toward the Bry-
sons set the family tone. All hands
agreed that seven girls like stair steps
were next door to Il criminal olelse-
one that fate could not afford II leave
unpunished. Sparse visits to the Bry-
son home usually mtigated the visit
ors' harsh judgment. The girls were
adOrable-rosy, radiant, reasonably
obedient, sunShmy spirits SinSularly
alike, yet agreeably different. 1t was
not, after all, so strange that John,
who had put by ambition To be an art
ist for steady job, and that MolIie
should say, looking at the flock: Beats
everything COULD ever have i'm
agined." But once safe away prudence
again prevaiIed-pity, kindly or acid,
was meted out to the reckless parents.
Pretty girls, very pretty girls, with
sweet home voices adorable dancing
feet, and Madame Mul'ic'S knack ot
cookery, sewing and home-maEinS'
they were married out Of hand, as IT
were, before they came to nineteen; to
the rout and confusion of Mrs. Fort
ner, by that time weIl-dowercd wild
ow. who offered To take L"n"re, the
eldest. and give her two years
chance to marry weIl-that is Ia. say,
rich. Indeed, there was candidate
almost in the ofiing-Major Burke,
man Of millions, just turned sixty
who had divorced one wife and bur
led another, hence was eager to ina
submissive and well-brOken third.