Connecticut western news., 1873-10-17
VOL. III.


 our mutual playfellow, Tom Edwards, and gave him, Hod had thus far kept out of the clutches of the fair Lynches. But, like many another, he soon got i'm patient of advice. He didn't see the good of skulking behind fences and into bush clumps. He was very certain they couldn't catch him indeed, he would like to see the girl that could catch him in 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 go down the road 8 full pound, with 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 8 treacherous stone-hole masked by high brakes and blueberry- bushes received him all in heap. The next moment the pretty Philistines were upon him. A peal of triumphant laughter from the common told us the rest for Tom and I, mean while, had hurried off back of the house, past the old cider-mill, and plunged into the thicket 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 it bright ened as Hod's captors came back with him. Every few steps there would be tussel the prisoner seemed good deal inclined to resist. Then followed by an invariable "No you don't, sir p
 "Now, don't hold fellow so P we could hear Hod remonstrating. Then 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 something you'll like i'' 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 and peeped out from amongst the sprouts.
 "Now, what's the use p Hod was pleading. 'I say, you girls, what are ye going to do to feller p
 Then came prolonged scrimmage. Round they went, all over the back yard. Hod was making 8 desperate effort to get away. No use; they held on to him and brought him under the high posts of the press again, all pant ing.
 "I'll be blamed" whispered Tom, eff they hain't got him up on the bench where the pummy-hoop is p
 Then came another struggle and clat- ter. 'tNow-now-now, please don't p ejaculated Hod. But the wicked sprites only laughed the louder.
 "There p muttered Tom, eff they the follower down on to him Good gracious, Kit l l believe they're going to squeeze him They're turning the screws p
 We began to be little alarmed for Hod. Not that we thought they would s'squash him up" knowingly; but they girls sometimes lack discretion.
 Creak-creok-squeak! We could see Cad and Jess turning the levers to
 
 follower. Lucreesh and Lorette were holding the follower over him.
 70, you'll make a splendid cheese p they were saying.
 Idon't think Hod fairly divined their intentions until the follower began to press him. Then he squirmed in good earnest but they had him hard and fast.
 "Now, boy," says Cad, "what was you at our door for?" candidly.
 70, you was Who was it with you p.
 "I don't want to tell that," said Hod, honorably.
 "Don't you?" Creak-squeak.
 "Oh p Creok-sQueak. "Oh - Tom Edwards--Oh-h {! and Kit
 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 he did not know.
 "Try and think" says Jess. C'eak -squeak.
 ''I honestly don't knowT vociferated Hod. Squeok-creaE. ooh !-up the road. Oh-h lover into the wood. Oh oh p
 Torture has made many martyr lie, no doubt, when the truth wasn't satis- factory to his inquisitors.
 ''You're the fellow from New York, ain't you p demanded Jess "the one they called Hod P
 "Yes-yes from New York I'm Hod p
 'Hod is droll name; what does it stand for? ?'' Islands for Horace" ''Horace, what else ?"
 'Horace Melcher." "Any middle name ?" Hod hesitated. He was then very sensitive about his second name, New York folks were laughing so much at his great namesake.
 Come, what's your middle name ?" questioned Cad.
 "My middle initials G." repliedHod, trying to compromise it. "Well, but what does that G stand 1 for ?" .-..
 No answer. Creak-squeak-ereak. "Oh, nowl' Creak-creak. ooh 1! Greeley - oh !-Horace Greeley eh-h P
 Then they eased up to laugh over him, and says Lucreesh, "How much is your father worth, Horace Greeley?"
 "Nothing p exclaimed Hod, irritated at the sound of his full name.
 Reckon again p cried Cad.
 We heard the screws going, and Hod very quickly arrived at different fig ures ''Oh !Lforty thousand dollars oh p he roared out.
 "That's good ]" said 'Creesh. "But you don't like our style, I hear"
 "No, I don't" muttered Hod.
 "Don't you-now Squeak -creok -cre0k.