He also wondered if Adelia was as much persecuted as himself . No doubt she was . He never could catch her eye in church now , but he would have been surprised had he realized how many times he tried to . The climax came the third week in May , when Young Thomas , who had been keeping house for himself for three weeks , received a letter and an express box from his cousin , Charles Everett , out in Manitoba . Charles and he had been chums in their boyhood . They corresponded occasionally still , although it was twenty years since Charles had gone west . The letter was to congratulate Young Thomas on his approaching marriage . Charles had heard of it through some Valley View correspondents of his wife . He was much pleased ; he had always liked Adelia , he said -- had been an old beau of hers , in fact . Thomas might give her a kiss for him if he liked . He forwarded a wedding present by express and hoped they would be very happy , etc. . The present was an elaborate hatrack of polished buffalo horns , mounted on red plush , with an inset mirror . Young Thomas set it up on the kitchen table and scowled moodily at his reflection in the mirror . If wedding presents were beginning to come , it was high time something was done . The matter was past being a joke . This affair of the present would certainly get out -- things always got out in Valley View , dang it all -- and he would never hear the last of it . `` I 'll marry , '' said Young Thomas decisively . `` If Adelia Williams wo n't have me , I 'll marry the first woman who will , if it 's Sarah Barnett herself . '' Young Thomas shaved and put on his Sunday suit . As soon as it was safely dark , he hied him away to Adelia Williams .
He felt very doubtful about his reception , but the remembrance of the twinkle in XXXXX 's brown eyes comforted him .
Adelia Barnett Charles Everett Manitoba Thomas View chums first weeks