Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-03-31
The Marrying
of Billy
BY MAY ISABEL BoYNToN

family followed the idea like fox
hound the scent Of the >anise bag.
Billy was twenty-eight, well estab-
lished in his profession, the law-un-
usually well established, in fact, but
then, Billy was little hit unusually
well" in the eyes of his family, and
If he had not possessed level head
would have been utterly spoiled long
ago instead of being the splendid spec
linen of young manhood he was.
An only child--the last male repre-
sentative of a proud old family, a
great responsibility rested upon him.
So forthwith a family council was
called and Billy summoned home.
lie came, listened to the admonitions
and advice of his father and uncles
and aunts unto the second and third
generations-Billy's mother was dead
understood perfectly well why GER
tain fair damsels who like himself be-
longing TO Ashton's first families"
were persistently thrown in his way;
had good time, looked upon the FAM
lily maneuvers as something of JOKE,
and returned TO his office.
Once, twice, three times was lie
called home in like man er, and on
the occasion of his third departure
Silas Cummings spoke to him in no
uncertain tcrns.
81 want you 20 got married" he
said hluntly, and have a family to
keep up the name. It's good name
and one to be proud of. We've money
and we've brains. At your age I was
married and had two children-yuu
and your sister that died. You've
danced round the bush long enough.
Within six months want you to bring
your wife to me-"
'Why, intended to marry Billy
stammcred, and he FLUSHED Il little.
''1n fact there is little girl in the city
+" Old Silas Blew up.
"YOull marry no strange city girl
who doesn't know turnip from
croquet ball. There's plenty OF good
ones right here at home. sir-giris
we've knownzall their lives and their
folks before 'em. Marry without my
consent and I'll dsown you'll"
AS old Silas grew red, young Billy
grew white. They measured each
other eye to eye. There was an ON
inous silence, finally broken by Billy.
II promise never to enter into any
marriage to which you have ever re-
fused your consent" and he held out
his hand.
Silas grasped it-and beamed.
Il knew you'd listen to reason. No
trouble from me under those condi-
tions--nothing but my blessing for you
and your future wife, and you know a
Cummings never goes back on his
word. Now 60 to 1t, my boy!"
''I'm going" Billy answered, but his
father did not see the twinkle in his
eye.
1t was nearly three months since
Billy and his father had had that con-
versation, and with no move on Billy's
part. Silas was growing restless,
when one day there came note from
Billy.
Coming home for three weeks va
cation. Get your blessing ready, dad"
and Silas beamed with satisfaction.
This could mean but one thing
Billy was coming home to choose a
wife. If the fatted calf was not lit
orally killed, it was figuratively many
times over, and to crown all, Silas
bought nifty sedan car.
"The old boneshaker is good enough
for me-" he confided to Brother Ma
than, "but 1 want Billy to have the
best there is, though how in thunder
a fellow does any counting in one of
the contraptions unless he stalls the
engine is more than l can see."
Silas drove the sedan to the sta
ton himself to meet Billy, with a
smile, on his face that threatened to
dislocate his law. Billy came down
the steps of the car-but what? He
was turning to assist a young woman
such a young woman, too, Silas had |
to admit to himself, as Ashton could |
not boast Of-so dainty, so sweet and |
adorable did she look to
even his prejudiced eyes.
"Father," Billy said quietly, my
wife-the little girl once spoke about |
to you. Frances, this is my father,
the best dad that ever was"
Perhaps ie was all Billy said, but
he didn't look it. The storm gathered
and broke.
"You young scamp~ he shouted. |
"Didn't tell you if you married with
out my consent you'd be no son of
mine"
"Easy!" Billy cautioned. People
are looking at you and you'll brighten
Frances. You promised to give your
to any marriage to which you
had not refused your consent, and
you never refused 1t to my marrying
Frances-and you know Cummings
never goes back on his word!''
"You--you--" Silas sputtered. Once
again the two men measured each |
other eye to eye, and the twinkle in |
Billy's must have been contagious for
Silas commenced to grin.
"You young rascal I" and he slapped
Billy affectionately on the back and
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