Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-03


out, like red sun, from among them, tina
we open our narrative. They were al
men of the same class as Garret-pIain
sturdy, substantial-mostIy farmers of the
f neighborhood, who had loitered in TO pick
up the gossip Of the day; or those who
on their way from Albany or Schenecta
dy, had dropped in TO have a talk with
old Carrot before INDUCING in the same
pleasure with their better halves al
home.
The subject, however, which now en-
crossed them was far from pleasant one
1t seemed so even to the landlord, for he
was silent, and turned deaf ear TO all
that was going on; it being fixed rule of
his, to interfere in no mans difficulties but
his own. And as this, which was a hot
dialogue between two of the party, was
evidently fast verging into quarrel, after
eying the parties steadily for some time,
he thrust his hands into his pockets, and
quietly left the room. Before closing the
door, he turned and looked solemnly at the
disputants, to let them see that, owing TO
their misconduct, they were about being
deprived of the light of his countenance,
and then shaking his head, and emitting
from his throat grumbling indication OF
supreme discomfort, he shot the door and
| went out.
"Come, come--stop this, Wicklife,'
said an old man, one of the party, on
whom at least Carrots look had produ-
ced an effect. "Don't you see you've dri-
ven Carrot off? This dispute is mere non.
sense"
The person whom he addressed was a
short, square built man, with dark sal
low face, with scar on the nose, and one |
crossing both his lips, as if he had been
slashed there with knife; dark black |
eye, that at times kindIed aud giowed, I'M
til it seemed red hot ball set in its sock
ct; low wrinkled forehead, and lips that
worked and twilched, barring and showing
his teeth like masliff preparing to bite.
And as he sat there, with his fingers work
ing with anger, and his lips writing, he
was about as ugly looking fellow as one
would wish to see.
He turned slowly to the old man who
spoke to him, and swapping his fingers in
his face, said, "D--n old Garrel! Let
him go, let him; and as for this dispute
with that boy, it's my affair, not yours;
so don't NEEDLE with what don't concern
YOU"
The old man drew back abashed. But
the opponent of Wickliffe, young fellow
Of three or four and twenty, whose frank,
handsome countenance,a and glad eye, SEEM
ed a warrant of an open, generous DISPOSE
ton, now put in.
"Well. Wickliffe," said be, eff YOU will {
quarrel, won't didn't want to drive S
Carrot Out of his own harmon, and you
know he never aoiU stay where there's |
quarreling. So drink your ale, and we'll
say no more about this matter.
"But piH say more about it," retortod
The man, half rising from his seat, and at S
The same time shaking his fist at him, 81 i
lciH say more; who'll hinder me, I'd like
to know that? And as for you,Mr Harry S
Blake, ! ,cW say too, that in spite of G
your big carcase, you have no more spir- d
i than a woman. That is what III C
say" S
"Well, well, say it, if you please" re- b
olied Blake, going to the fire and seating b
bench, in front of it, '.I'm sure b
don't care"
AS he spoke, he laughed; and leaning g
onward, picked up chip which lay on the Il
hearth, and commenced stirring the fire C
With it, at the same time whistling, and v
paying no attention to what his opponent h
aid, other than by an occasional laugh a
II his evident anger at being thus toiled. h
At last, however, Wickliffe, turning to a Ii
nan who sat next to him muttered some
hing between his teeth, which drew the h
Try of "Shame! shame!" from those a b
ound him, of which Blake caught but the A
words, "Mary Lincoln. But they bro't 0
lin to his feet. b
"What's that you say about Mary Lin h
oln?' said he, advancing towards the K
nan who was looking at him with a grin lc
f satisfaction at having at last aroused "
Inn.
"Nothing, nothing" replied several, at o.
he same time rising and placing them g
elves between him and Wickliie. "Don't ~
hind him Harry" don't mind him. He's ii
n p ssion, and doesn't mean what he k
avs"
"But do mean IT," shouted Wickiffe. HI
/ do mean it; and repeat it, Mary Lin W
oln is" fir
"What!" demanded Blake quickly, his F
yes glowing with anger. A
Wickliffe eyed him for moment with tn
fixed logged stare ;and it might have been lo
hame, or it might have been feeling of
reputation, at having at length aroused m
i'm, and at seeing the powerful frame OF oil
'lake. with every muscle strong, ready to W
cap upon him, that deferred ninu; for he ii