Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-04-25
NEW SERIES-VOL. 23-NO. 10.

care Of themselves. II is our duty TO do
1t for them. Hal What's that? There's
mischief"
He was walking along a solitary path
in the field, and found an empty phisl.
labeled laudanuml lie went forthwith
to the apothecary's
"Well," said the apotbecary, with
a smile, as he noticed his wild eyes;
"whosc hens dead now?'
"This is serious matter; Mr.. Forcep, I
fear. Do you know that bottle?"
"Laudanum' said the apothecary.
affecting great alarm. II have similar
bottles. / have filled them. Don't
know but l filed this one. And now;
I'm sorry to sect empty.
"Somebody has been taking lauds-
mum. An ounce is sure death; and that
holds an ounce. Can you guess who IL
could be? If anything is attempting su-
icide, it ought to be attended to right of.
That bottle has not been emptied for
nothing"
"Let me see; three phiaIs this week."
said the apothecary pretending to recol-
lect. 81 believe Susan Flam bought
one."
"Got into scrape and wants to dis."
"Israel Prangs, another"
"Going to fail in business, and per-
haps is dead in the woods by this time"
"And old Mrs. Flatch, another"
"The crazy old jade Always wan
dering around, and wandering in her
mind. Might be she."
"Why don't you go 10 their houses and
inquire, Mr.. Hairtodger? You may save
life. think those three bought lauda-
mum, but mind, won't be sure"
"Flam, Prangs, Flatch," repeated
Hairtodger hurrying to their several
homes, and making known the object of
his agitated visit; and asking all who
listened to him to smell of the phial.
"My darter amt such q fool as you
think her to be-" cried her mother, in
suited at Hartodger's insinuation. "Clear
out"
When he explained the reason of his
suspicion to Prangs, PraLgs told him to
60 to the-apothecary's and get dose
of laudanum for himself.
But old Mrs. Flatch seized o mop and
mopped him out out of her little house
at the bare hint that she was SO wicked
as to attempt her precious life, which God
had given to her.
And away went the thrice discomftted
Hairtodger, after smashing the luckless
phial against tree.
"This is bad treatment for good in
tentions," grumbled he. ~ am con-
vinced that somebody has been taking
too much. Now hope SO, at any rate;
and l hope it's the one that's got the
most friends and relations, so that this
devilish town will be put into the great
est possible state of mourning. mean
to leave here"
He communicated his resolve to his
wife, and it disturbed her a great deal,
for all women hate the trouble of moving.
all night she lay restless. So did Mich
las. At about midnight he heard an un-
usual kicking and squealing of horses in q
tavern-stable, which was close to their
yard.
"Do lay still, Nick"
He wouldn't. He hoped out of bed,
and dressed himself quickly.
1.-The Lord deliver me from such an
other husband" moaned she. "You are
the most unaccountable creature that ever
lived. Oh, for little rest on earth"
II hear a most unaccountable noise,
wife, I'm determined to find out the cause
if it is one o'clock, A. NJ.
What is it one o'clock, A. NJ?
"It is Just one o'clock, A. NJ. And
out he went.
Nicholas Hairtodger found it starless,
moonless, sunless. pitch dark, outdoors.
The horses still kick about and squealed,
as he softly entered the stable-yard, and
hid behind the pump to watch a little.
"There's somebody with a light in
there" he said to himself, "doing some
thing wrong, or else the horses; who are
knowing animals wouldn't make that
noise They know its out Of season for
a man to be in there q. l A. NJ. lie may
be servant of the house; but he's thief
I'll bet, bothering around here when ev-
erybody's asleep at one O'Clock, A. M
All! here he comes-dark lantern-and
something under his arm. Now he cross
es the yard. Now he goes into into the
tavern. Now he locks the door softly
And now what do you suppose that
thing was under his arm? I'd give some
thing to know. I'll risk something to
know. III go and knock and tell him
) I've got severe collie, and ask for lit
tie gin and peppermint.
Knocked. Entered.
The lie was told and the dram drank.
The dark-lantern gave but little Light
! Nicholas thought the man looked very
, sly. So he did. He knew his visitor
by reputation.
"Thougbt / heard you in the stable" "
said Hairtodger, unwilling to go without
; discovering something.
"Wouldn't have anybody to know 1t
for the world" said the man, looking
alarmed.
''Eh what, why not?''
"You won't tell that you saw me?'
"No, no; trust me; not after the gin
and peppermint. What was that--that
-thing-that you had under your arm!
And smiled, invitingly.
= The man looked solemn.
"As you've seen me with it, it's no us
to conceal it from you. ITS here unde
this cloth. Promise on your honor, tina
you won't tell, and you may see."
, Il promise on my honor" vowed Hair
todger, ['I'll tell as soon as find out
: thought he,
.aR