Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-09-29
re often rather astonishing

are OIten Rather dSIOHloHluS.
So Mr.. Ellphalet Biggs met the
pretty daughter Of Jack Kelso. On
his way back to the tavern he told
Ann that he had fallen In love with
the sweetest and prettiest girl in all
the wOrld-Bim Kelso. That very
evening Ann went over to kelso's
cabin to take the news to BIN and her
mother and to tell them that her IA
her reckoned he belonged to very
itch and very grand family. MIR.
Kelso had gone to Offut's store and
the three had the cabin to themselves
81 think he's just wonderful man.
BIN exclaimed. "But I'm sorry his
name is so much like figs and pigs.
I'm plum sure I'm going to love him."
II thought you were in love with
Harry Needless" Bins mother said to
her.
II am. But he keeps me so busy. I
have to dress him up every day and
put a mustache on him and think up
ever so many nice things for him to
say, and when he comes he doesn't
say them. He's terribly young"
"You told me that he said once you
were beautiful"
"But he has never said 1t twice. and
when he did say it. didn't believe
my ears, he spoke so low. Acted kind
o. like he was scared Of 1t. I don't
want to wait forever to be really and
truly loved. do II"
Mrs. Kelso laughed. cts funny to
hear a baby talking like that" she
said. I'VE don't know this young man.
He's probably only fooling. anyway"
BIN went often to the little tavern
after that. OF those meetings little Is
known, save that, with all the pretty
arts of the cavalier, unknown to Harry
Needles. the handsome youth tiattered
and delighted the girl. This went on
day by day for fortnight. The eve
ming before Biggs was to leave for his
home, BIN went over to eat supper
with Ann at the tavern.
= 1t happened that Jack Kelso had
found Abe sitting alone with his
Blackstone in Offut's store that after
noon.
'Mr. Kelso. did you ever hear what
Eb' Zane said about the general sub
ject of sons-in-law?" Abe asked.
''Never-but l reckon 1t would be
wise and possibly apropos," said
Kelso.
'He said that son-in-law was a
curious kind o property" Abe began.
aye know says Eb, II We have c
boss that's tricky an dangerous an
with Jesse than nethln', We can give
him away er Kill him, but If We have
a son-in-law that's wuthless, nobody
else will have him an it's ag'in' the
law to kill him. Fust We know we've
got a critter on yer hands that kicks
an won't work an has to be fed an
liquored three times day an is
with million dollars less than
nothin'.'"
There was moment Of silence.
when man is figurfn' his assets,
it's better to add ten dollars than to
subtract million" said Abe. 'sThat's
about as simple as adding up the
weight O. three small hogs"
"What we'll Of wisdom you are,
Abel" said Kelso. do you know any
thing about this young A1issourian
who is shining up to Bfm?"
II only know that he was a 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 barn-plenty hard. He's a
kind of American king. and l don't
like kings. They're nice to look at.
but generally those that have married
'em have had one hi Of tfme.'
Kelso rose and went home to sup
per.
Soon after the supper dishes had
been laid away lin the Kelso cabin,
young Mr.. Biggs raped on its door
and pulled the latchstring and entered
and sat down with Mr.. and Mrs. Kel-
so at the fireside.
II have come to ask for your daugf-
ter's hand" he said, as soon as they
were seated. II know it will seem
sudden, but she happens to be the girl
1 want. I've had her picture in my
heart always. love your daughter.
I can give her. a handsome home and
everything she could DESIRE"
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