< I —————l ! <Bg Garnet gitbauk Copyright, lUU7, by Wright A. When Billy carao in from the corral "he had evolved the "great Idea." And it was all for the happiness of one '"Monty" Levering, once known as A. Montague Levering, hut who had recently taken up the glorious occu pation of a cow puncher, and who — but that la getting ahead of the story. The girl lived in Boston, and her (father was a judge and rich, which is truly an unusual condition for most judges. She was young, petite, and her cheeks were as red as the au tumn apple. When she smiled her •teeth were as pearls, and when she laughed the spring-time brook was •shamed in comparison. At least this was the description that rested snugly in the sentimental part of "Monty's" mind: the picture that caused him to hesitate many times before he en gaged in the usual ' puncher" pas times. "Monty" was at Harvard when he met her, and he had called at her home several times. But when his father took the receiver's route the judge decided that any such thing as an affair between the young people must end. And so "Monty," in the depth of his despair, went to the west. "It will never be anyone but you, Monty, dear," she told him. "No mat ter how long it may be, or how far away you are, I will come to you if you need me." "But I neeu you now," protested "Monty." "I l.ved you every min ute; I will need vou forever." "Yes, dear," sht. replied, "but we must wait awhile and we will surely find a way." So "Monty" rode the whole day Jong among the cattle, repairing count less miles of fence, listening to the wails of the homeless kyote, and thinking, thinking, thinking. As the ■days rolled by a look of despair set tled in his blue eyes, and the boys at the ranch held innumerable coun cils of war to determine ways and means of rendering assistance. They knew his story. It was told by a let ter which one of the men had acci dentally opened. And there is noth ing like the mute sympathy of the puncher. It is equal to any emer gency; it is from the heart of nature. So when Billy McDermott con •reived the Idea there was an Imme diate conference of the clans. ""Monty" was out at the other end of the ranch, so the secret was safe. "It's as plain as the nose on your ,£ace," declared Billy, vehemently, as •"Tske Another Look!" yelled the Amazed Billy. fee reached for papers and tobacco. "He's stuck on this here feminine parcel in the east, ain't he? Sure. She's stuck on him, ain't she? Sure. Now, I've figured this here thing out. Says I to myself, all you got to do is to fix up a little romance In this business and you got 'em coming, see? Now, again I says to myself, » how we all goin' to get this here ro mance? And then it all comes to me." "Kindly cut out this promiscous brandin' and ante up what you got to say," growled Shorty, who was get ting impatient about the particular kind of romance which the speaker had prepared. "Hold your horses, sonny," admon ished Billy. "This here thing de mands some educidatin' before such feeble minds as yours can grasp it, huh? But, as I was sayin' 'fore this maverick interrupted me, the only thing to do is to get a fine romance. Now, what I wants to know is, when is Easter coming? Does any of you gang know?" Nobody knew, but Shorty finally solved the problem by declaring that there was an old almanac hidden some place about his belongings. After a frantic search that work of literature was discovered securely hid den beneath two pairs of boots and a !, Mexican saddle. The almanac was perused carefully and concisely. And the Easter date was found, s "That figures out just right," de \ clared the plotting Billy. "My scheme \ Is this. Every woman likes to be married on Easter. There's somethin' about it that appeals to the feminine •nature. So the thing we'll do is to write this lady a letter, tellin' her all about Monty's just about ready togo to the dogs and that serious things will happen if she don't putin ap pearance and marry him. That'll gain her sympathy. Then we'll tell her that on Easter day we'll meet her at Arapahoe with Monty and a minister, and all will be merry. Do you catch me? The whole thing will appeal to her romantic natur, and I'll bet a hun dred she comeß. What do you say?" Needless to say the plan appealed to everybody present, and after many laborious hours the following epistlo was penned and addressed to Miss Helen Oldham, 18 Alston court, Boston: Miss Helen Oldham, 18 Alston Court. Boston: Dear Miss: Us boys thinks Monty Sev ering is about the best there Is. But we are a heap sorry to say that he is near ly ready to jump oft at the jumping off place because he cannot marry you. Now if you are stuck on him like he iB on you, we have a plan which we will now disclose. On Easter day we Is all go ing to the Arapahoe, taking Monty with us. If you are on the California Limited, which stops there for water, we will be present with a minister and you and Monty can be properly spliced without no trouble. We are wrltln' this from the depths of our hearts and we hope you will see that things is urgent. Answer as soon as possible. Yours For Keeps THE BOYS OF BXB. Address Billy McDermott. P. S.—Monty don't know nothing about this. When Monty rode into the head quarters next day he was greeted with an unusual display of warmth and feeling. He noticed, however, that there were many mysterious whis pers. "What's the matter with you fel lows?" he demanded, when he discov ered Billy and Shorty with their heads together that evening after din ner. "You look like you're plotting to shoot me up at the first chance. Come on and tell me what's up." CAMERON COUNTY PRESS , THURSDAY, APRIL i 6, 1908. iEasfrrttte "Goon, now, you old Harvard dude." mimicked Shorty, a3 he hastily dodged out of reach of Monty's boot. "Can't two fellers talk secrets without you buttiu' in? And you just wait awhile. Maybe we're talkin" 'bout you, after all." After a certain period of time had elapsed, and the boys had com menced to grow uneasy, a letter came addressed to Billy. "Your matchmaking methods aro un usual, to say the least," the letter stated. "But I believe you are honest and good and you cause me to trust In you Implic itly. If Monty needs me I will come. I want to say that I will marry him If he hasn't a cent In the world. My father goes to New Orleans next week to bo gone a month. And I will be on the Cali fornia Limited when It stops at Arapa hoe on Easter day. I have always want ed to be married on Easter. It Is so good and Bacred that I know nothing bad can come when one is wedded on that day. You are friends of Monty's and I know God will bless you. "HELEN OLDHAM." When the reading of the letter was finished the boys took their hatß off and three rousing cheers and a tiger were given for the writer. "I'd steal that girl myself, if I waa younger," declared Billy. When Easter day dawned, eight good men and true rode into Arapa hoe with Monty in their midst, an in nocent and unsuspecting person. The day was radiant with sunshine, and the prairie flowers were just begin ning to blossom out in all their glory. As Shorty remarked, "things looked ripe for weddin'B and such." Rev. Augustus Thomas was merely told that he was to perform a mar riage ceremony, and he was happy and pleased to render any assistance possible. The license had been se cured and every detail had been prop erly attended to. So when the train pufTed into the station, Monty was under close guard to prevent his wandering away. The surprise, as Billy figured it, was to be complete. And when the train stopped at the watering tank the passengers were surprised to see two ferocious and dust-stained cowboys pass down the aisles, carefully examining every face. But when the last coach waa reached •'Monty" Rode the Whole Day Long Among the Cattle. these two gentlemen appeared and called loudly for assistance. "She-ain't there," was the solemn declaration. "Take another look," yelled ■ the amazed Billy, "I'll hold the train or there'll be an engineer and fireman slaughtered." But Miss Helen Oldham was no where to be found. She was not aboard the limited, that was sure. Tor every nook and cranny of the train had boon carefully searched, and the passengers were beginning to think that a regulation hold-up was in progress. "Kools, fools, fools," shrieked the frantic Monty, when the mysterious proceedings were explained to him. "Don't you know that Easter hap pened last Sunday? My poor Helen, what must she have thought? What shall I do?" And he buried his face in his hands and almost sobbed, while eight cow punchers stood about in exceedingly embarrassed attitudes. "It's all that almanac of yours," sighed Hilly, looking daggers at the miserable Shorty. "Ain't you got any better sense than to not know that Easter doesn't come on the same day every year?" While every one was blaming every one else and while the wild-eyed Monty paced up and down the plat form, a special delivery letter was handed to Mr. McDermott. It was from Miss Oldham, and it read: "I am In San Francisco at my aunt's, and I have forever lost faith in mankind. I thought you were honest and good and I ttnd that you play a miserable Joke on an Innocent girl. I had determined to go back home and never mention this again. But I am writing to ask you If you have any explanation to make. X have thought that there might have bean some accident. If the whole thing was a joke, you need not answer this letter." With a wild yell, Monty sprang to the telegraph office and the following message to Miss Helen Oldham was hurriedly dispatched: "Am coming to you on the next train. "MONTY." And after hours of waiting Monty boarded the express, which seemed to run at a snail's pace, and eight good men and true rode slowly out of the town. , "I want all you boys to hear me," solemnly declared the mournful Billy, as the gang assembled after supper, "and be it known by these presents that if I ever again attempt to fix up an Easter romance, I hope I'm shot for a rustler." Exactly one week after the abovo mentioned occurrences Mr. Billy Mc- Dermott again was the recipient of a special delivery letter which the "old man" brought out from town. It was from Monty. "Good boys," it read, "you have all the cupids that ever existed beaten to a stop. Miss Helen Oldham is now Mrs. Monty Levering, thank you, and we are starting for Boston to-morrow. Judge Oldham has wired his forgive ness, and I'm afraid I will never again punch cows. Mrs. Levering and I expect to pay you all a visit, however, some time in the future. But until then good-by. Regards to everybody." "Well, I'll be darned," was the only expression that Mr. Bill McDermott could give to his feelings. And every Easter there is a big box of carnations and many, many edibles sent out all the way from Boston to the ranch where Mr. Billy McDermott holds proud and lofty sway. THE LILIES. Pale, with the coldness of death In their pallor, Dimly they gleam thro' the shadowy dawn; Drooping in grief at the tomb of the Master, Drooping and pulseless, and waxen and wan. Red grows the dawn and the shadows are flying, Hark to the anthem that peals from above! Wake ye and rouse ye—mourn not for the Master! Kent are His cerements, for Death yields to Love! Lift up your chaplets, ye virginal lilies. Flowers of the Rising that nature holds dear; Preach in your sweetness from chancel and altar. Spread the glad tidings that Easter Is here. Tell it, ye voices. In carol and anthem, Sing it, and ring It from Bteeples that sway; Tell it with carol and chiming and lily- Flower of the sepulcher, flower of the day! At the Council of Nice. The arrangement for determining the date upon which Easter shall be celebrated was inaugurated at the council of Nice in 325. Fixing Easter Day. Easter day is the first Sunday after the fourteenth day (not the full moon) of the calendar moon whioh happens on or next after March 21. Hint to the Fastidious. Since milk bottles are Invariably handled by the top fastidious women will wash off the bottle before remov ing the paper cap. 112 -MS WTTH jrPpfVrp "cwczf&r 0 Tough Luck. I haf 2 make thee Garden now and can't play bait a tall. 1 wisht thee Spring hail never Cum If 1 can't heed her Call! Thee Kids hez gone a-l"ishin' where thee Yellow bullhead feeds While I am forced 2 stay at Houm anil plant these dog-gone seeds. I haf 2 spade thee Pesky ground and smooth it on thee Top, and then i Haf 2 round it Up and plant thee Onion Crop, there's radisfies and P>-as and Beans and sweet corn 2 B sewed, a bed for every vegTabul that ever yet'a been growed! ma stands eround and bosses Me and maikes me Hustel 2. she sez that workin' In thee Ground Is good fer boys 2 do, and thinks that Slaving now and thea will Maike me prize thee Day when i don't haf a thing 2 do but fool thee Time away! she sez that when thee Kumpny comes she'll tell 'em It was Ml 3 that raised thee Radishes and things: "Gist look at this one! See!" but 1 don't care fer praise AHEAD an' Kumpny cums 2 stay when I could let this garden go and play base-Ball TODAY! ®-$-® Saving the Country. According to the late Whitelaw the girl graduate of to-day would better learn how to hit divorce in the solar plexus than find Italy lying beyond the Alps. Mr. Reid admits with entire abandon that the rapids are below us and below the rapids is a barbed wire fence loaded with javelins. , ☆ ☆ ☆ Real refinement, says Mr. Reid, is what the young women of this land should sow in the hot-beds of their characters, rather than seeds to the whirlwind of empty vanity and a de sire to get their busts portrayed in a society newspaper of a Sunday morn ing. Whitelaw comes down on the "vain pomp and glory of this world" like a hired man slapping a holstein heifer on the back with a wet board. Much work must be done, he avows, to rescue us from the eddying whirl pools of false gods and fluctuating femininity. The girl graduate, with woman's white hand, must awake and pluck us from the maelstrom of na tional error and boarding house hash. We need higher ideals, and incident ally, a few more buttons on the back band of our pantaloon seats; fewer divorces, fewer shingle nails and firmer allegiance to the old truism "the foot that rocks the cradle rules the world!" With 654,000 persons divorced in this country in th« last twenty years, and more bills for ab solution of the marriage ties pending, the domestic statistics are getting BO muddled that no child, however wise, can tell its own father. ft ft ft Mr. Reid Is entirely right. The» sweet girl graduate in her curl paper friizes and taffeta gown should desist in hitching her automobile to the stars. The boulevards to the ethereal ■kles are already too crowded. What we need in this country Is a woman who will guarantee chastity, forbear ance and clean laundry Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, home-made biscuits four times a week and a coo ing disposition that will take the kinks out of dyspepsia and make this world happy though married. Until thea we are sadly and irretrievably lostt Let us hear from the ladies. Are they for us or against us? ®—®—o Turn Backward, O Skipper. The sky to tha west Is blue, With sometimes a cloud betide. The hills are of em'rald hue. All clothed in a gown of pride! The oak and the poplar wave. With cherry and elm and ash. Deep nooks that the first fires gave When God had unloosed the leash, I Are carpeted o'er with moss! The delle are a-bloom with flow'rs While bees to the toss Their songs In the busy hours! And youth at the barefoot stage, Conversant with all. Is there, A-sport where the riffles rage. At rest where the sand is bare! • • • I know where this Eden lies! 'Tis where I, a boy, was free To play at "The Bend" I prize ' When now I am out at sea! Far out from the home I knew. Far out past the beacon light, I pray, O Ye Skipper true. Turn backward for just to-night! Locating a Public Square. Here's a puzzle for Uncle By. Tha Daily Oklahoman says:"The Temple (Okla.) men did not shirk their duty when a negro Insulted a white woman there, and when she could not identify him the men rounded up 11 nesroes and beat them in the public square." Now we want Uncle By to tell us where a ne gro's "public square" Is.—Selling tOkla.> Messenger. If these negroes were grocery-store nibblers I should say that a negro's public square would be just back of his private roundhouse. ® —®—® Botany. A professor of botany was recently lec turing in an lowa city. In his discourse he attempted to show the great value of flowers and their near relationship to human beings. He concluded his re marks by saying: "The Lord that made me made a daisy." Whereupon some one in the audience called out; "You b«t he did!" It was several minutes before U*e professor discovered why every ona laughed.—Times, Madison, Ohio. © —$ —® Slightly Mutilated. When we think what the dog did to the following advertised-for stock, we do not wonder that the sows left borne; 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers