Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-04-25
HAIRToDGER,s TRIALS;
TIE RESULT OF SUSPICION

in bed one morning at home, in the rural
little town of Springfield. There must
be thieves about. have felt uncommon
ly suspicious Of late, about something;
and | know that something is happening,
or about to happen very soon. have
felt distressed at my stomach. Mrs.
HSirtodger says ] am too nervous, sus-
picious; the old story. But know am
not Nobody can be depended upon now
a-days. never had precentiment but
what it turned out to be something, if ]
kept good lookout. heard Smith
say last evening, distinctly, when was
in his grocery, that somebody had taken
a new clothes-line out Of bis shop. 1t
has worried me not a little. | have
dreamed of nothing but ropes all night;
and twice felt strangling sensation, as
though rs going TO be hung. shan't
rest till | find out who has got that
clothes-line. j will get up and go out,
and look in peoples yards, and see if ]
can see it. It's a good Grying-day, and
no doubt plenty of clothes ale out drying
for though yesterday was washing day, it
rained hard. If people will steal," con-
tinued he, drawing on his boots, "they
.must expect to get found out Somebody
fnight steal our clothes-line."
Hairtodger's naturally staring eyes
stared wilder; his short, bristly hair SEEM
ed to stand more than usually erect; his
short breathing grew shorter; his fingers
fdgeted more; his long, peaked, prying
nose looked more penetrating than ever,
and it snufiled more often as it scented a
great discovery.
He was known for an alarmist, all the
town over; and his consultations with
everybody, on trivial occurrences, put his
name contemptously in everybody
mouth.
"What are you looking at, Hairtodg-
er?''
Hairtodger was looking through knot
hole in high board fence, which enclos-
ed yard where woman was hanging
out clothes upon new clothes linel He
called the man who accosted him, and
told him to peep also. The man did so,
while others came up and peeped in turn
"What is it?" they all asked.
"Smith said that he'd lost one," re-
piled he, in whisper.
] ''Lost one what?'
"Hush! A clothes-line; new one; and
that one is new brand new; don't you
see?"
"But you don't think Mrs. Pratty, or
any of her folks, stole that line, do you?
Here, Mrs. Pratty."
"Shut up. Don't call her. / didn't
say"
Eyes you did, and know Mrs. Pratty.
Mrs. Pratty, come to the gate minute.
Mrs. Pratty, is that your clothes -line?"
"Why, of course it is. Bought it @
week ago. Why?"
"Here's Nick Hairtodger, who says
"I didn't say so, Mrs. Pratty; 1 only
said that as Smith said he ID lost one, o
new one like that, it was remarkable
coincidence"
"Y on mean sneak!" cried Mrs. Pratty,
who was three parts scold and one part
virago. It's just like you. Here, Tow
zer, watch him!''
AT this instant horrible looking white
bulldog, with venomous eyes and irreg
ular teeth, made his appearance with al
ominous growl, and commenced serie.
of snuf1iings at the heels of Hairtodger
each snuff thrilling to his very marrow
and paining him quite as much as bite
Il The crowd laughed and dispersed; aftel
receiving prolonged scolding, illustrated
by bite through his boot from Tower
Hairtodger crept away.
81 believe she did steal that clothes.
line, notwithstanding. l believe she is g
thief. Detected thieves always get mad
And what does she keep that savage dog
|, for? But I'll let Smith look after hii
own clothes-line. It's none of my bust
ness"
f 1t was a hot day. Hairtodger felt bad
ly. He concluded to take ramble on
of town among the shady woods, to calm
their perturbed spirit, and try and forge
r the bulldog and modification. He die
go out. He did ramble in and out of tn
woods till near dinner time.
"Mrs. Hairtodger will be missing me,
he thought He was missing his dinner
He met a tall stranger, enveloped in
cloak. Under the cloak was a bundle 0
r something.
Il never saw this man before. l won
der what he has got in that bundle?-
Cloak on, on hot day. Something
a mysterious about that. Boots dusty
Evidently traveller. Perhaps robbeI
Been several burglaries of late. Perhap
he has got the clothes line. I wish
, could find out. Pears to me he look
I; somewhat agitated."
"How do you do?" said the stranger
: "How do yos do? Pretty warm"
: "Rather. Do you know where there
t spring near here? Pm very thirsty.
h "You'll find one in the first woods, O
b the hill, at the bend Of the road"
Thank you. Mean to have lunch i
i the shade" 4 ..-. ....
The man bowed, passed on, and wa
soon out of sight
'I'll follow that fellow. I'll eros
) lots and got up the hill in the woods, jus
. obove the spring. and see what it is he
hiding so carefully under that cloak, O
', hot day"
. . He soon reached the position he ha
"" " chosen; saw the stranger seated by til
! side of the running water, his hat an
cloak off, and he in his shirt sleeves
Hairtodger laid down and watched
e through the bushes, the unsuspecting ma
- below him.
"The chap has got no coat. So ii
'. cloak serves double purpose; covers h
:. noyertv and his nlnnder Nor a var