National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-10-10

teen past. He ridiculed the style o
the young ladies of the neighborhood
and, no doubt, they seemed difieren
from the girls he had been used to see
ing. But he took very lively interes
in May-baskets and, although Ma
had soon given place to June. We stii
kept up the fun on odd evenings, ,--onl,
they were NJ longer May baskets, bu
June-bexes,- every fiuit in its season
Thanks to the good counsels which
our mutual playfcllow, Tom Edwards
aud gave him, Iod had thus far KEEP
ont OF the clutches of the fair Lynches
But, like man, another. he soon got i'm
patient of advice. He didn't see thu
good OF skuiking behind fences ant
into bush clumps. He was very certain
they couldn't catch HIM indeed, 10
would like to see the girl that could
catch him in n fair race. He grew
bolder and one night (the third June
box, think, the door opening close
upon our knock, he dashed out into the
road, yelled and ran off in full view OF
his eager pursuers. We heard him g.
down the road full pound, with Il
spiteful pit-pat of girls shoes hard be
hind
Very possibly he might have escaped
then but. coming where the unfenced
common skirted the road, he assayed to
tack off across it. Here treacherous
stone hole masked by high brakes and
blueberry bushes received him all in a
cap. The next moment the pretty
Philistines were upon him. A peal OF
triumphant laughter from the common
told us the rest for Tom and |, mean
while had hurried off back of the house,
past the old cider mill, and plunged
nto the thicbet of balm-o gilead
sprouts which had sprung up about the
trunk OF the old tree. Throwing our
selves full length under this green cop
pice, we lay quiet. The twilight had
not quite faded out in the northwest ;
in the east the rim of the late-rising
moon was Just peeping over ; 1T bright
ened as Hod's captors came back with
him. Every few steps there would be
a tussel ; the prisoner seemed good
deal inclined to resist. Then followed
by an invariable "N.o you don't, sir y
Now, don't hold fellow so !" we
could hear Hod demonstrating. Then
the girls would laugh mockingly, and
exhort him to come along, telling him
how ungallant it was to run away from
Young ladies'. "Now, don't tear your
self away See us home, do ! We've
got something pretty to show you-
you'll like !" etc.
On they came past the house, and
made straight for the cider mill; then
we heard the boards rattle and the old
wooden screws squeak. Secretly tick
led, and not little curious, Tom and
I got our heads up aud peeped out
from amongst the sprouts.
Now, what's the use y Hod was
pleading. 81 say, you girls, what are
7e going to do to n feller p
Then came prolonged scrimmage.
Round they went, all over the back
yard. Hod was making desper ate
fort to get away. No use; they held
IN to him and brought him under the
nigh posts of the press again, all pant
ng.
"I'll be blamed" whispered Tom, "if
hey hain't got him up on the bench
where the pummy-hoop is J"
Then came another struggle and clat-
er. 'Now-now-now, please don't =
.jaculated Hod. But the wicked sprites
,nly laughed the louder
There - muttered Tom, ''if they
haven't got him into the hoop and got
he follower down on to him Good
gracious, Kit l believe they're going
o squeeze him ! They're turning the
crews -
We began to be little alarmed for
iod. Not that we thought they would
squash him up" knowingly; but they
lad an enormous power in hand and
cirls sometimes lack discretion.
Creak-credk-s9ueak! ! We could
zee Cad and Jess turning the levers to
,ring the screw-heads down on to the
ollower. Lucreesh and Lorette were
lolding the follower over him.
80, you'll make a splendid cheese "
hev were saying.
don't think Hod fairly OWNED their
Intentions until the follower began to
,ress him. Then he squirmed in good
arnest but they had him hard and
asst.
"Now, boy" says Cad, "what was
.ou at our door for ?"
"To hang q June-box," said Hod,
go, you was Who was it with
on ?"
II don't want to tell that" said Hod,
Don't you?' Creak-sqaeak.
"Oh !" Creak-squeak. "Oh =
ON Edwards--Oh-h ! and Kit
)h-h.h -
They eased up, laughing as only such
mischievous pack can.
Where did Tom and Kit run to ?"
"I don't know" said Hod and really
e did not know.
"Try and think" says Jess. Creak
-squedk.
~ honestly don't know vociferated
Tod. .Squeak-creak. "Oh up the |
Dad. Oh-h over into the wood.
)h oh -
Torture has made many martyr lie,
o doubt, when the truth wasn't salts
,ctory to his inquisitors.
"You're the fellow from New York,
int YOU ?" demanded Jess 'the one
hey called Hod p
'::Yes-yes from New York I'm
Tod -
'Hod is a droll name; what does it
tand for p
Islands for Horace.
"Horace, what else ?"
"Horace Melcher."
"Any middle name ?"
Hod hesitated. He was then very
ensitive about his second name, New
ork folks we're laughing so much at
is great namesake. 80, -,
"Come, what's your middle name ?"
uestioned Cad. d,
"My middle initials q, replied Hod,