Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-11-04
u1xAMJENKINs. MISTAKE.

common importance No man would have
arrayed himself so gorgeously simply tor the
purchase of tub of fall butter or yoke OF
steers. His hair was in a state OF distressing
smoothness and seemed almost part OF the
glossy hat which covered it. His coat and
pantaloons were maryels in their way, and
his boots which had been elaborately black
ed reflected back the rays OF the setting sun
in a manner perfectly binding to the behold
er. And yet Notwithstanding his superiority
in all these respects to the lilies OF the helds,
there was apparent in his actions singular
sort of nervousness, a trepidation almost
which rendered his appearance at once ridi-
culous and awkward. This trepidation was
in no wise lessened by the sudden vision of a
red-headed urchin watching him from the
barn door, and who, as the team approached,
with an overwhelming grin sped off in the
direction of the farmhouse, and disappeared
through the kitchen door. Hiram was con-
get for half dozen pairs Of eyes from the
sitting-room windows, and it required extra
ordinary strength of mind on his partto drive
past the house to the shed where the horses
of all visitors were hitched.
There are few more awkward things to
do than to get out of carriage when women
are watching, and though Hiram had proba-
bly, never thought of the fact before he fully
experienced its truth, as, endeavOring to
spring genteelly from the buggy, his foot
slipped on the wheel, and he came down on
his hands and knees in the dirt. His remarks
as he scrambled to his feet were confined to
one word, but that, though short, was the
most expressive one in the English language.
''Tll have to 90 round to the barn pump
and wash my hands before can 20 in, he
said to himself. Il suppose they are having
their fun out of me in the house now. Con-
found it, wish l hadn't started"
As he passed the door Of the horse-barn,
which was partly open, he heard the sound
of voices. He listened, and his heart sank
as he recognized the tones of his rival, FL
nathan Rogers.
81 want her bad," he was saying. ''She
Just suits me- You can't always have her
you know, and you had better call the thing
settled"
II don't know about that answered the
deacon doubtfully. i've always said, come
what would, wouldn't part with Jenny. But
you hang on so, don't know"
it over good while, and Jenny must have
l will treat her we'll, you may be sure of that. :"
The deacon hesitated, blew his nose, and
finally said:
''She's got some little tricks that nobody
knows nothing about but me, and | don't
want to impose upon nei ighbor."
ooh, pshaw! that's only an excuse, deacon.
I'm willing to risk it,
''She kicked me in the stomach last winter,
and bit little Sammy not more than six weeks
ago. can show you the scar now"
''Great king!" thought Hiram, sbut here
was going to pop the question this very night.
Who would have ever thought it?'
''I'll take that out of her." said Elnathan,
continuing the conversation. IF she so
much as lifts her foot against me, I'll give
her a licking that'll last her month";
''Lick" calculated Hiram to himself, as
tonished beyond measure. click Jenny
Bates! Well this goes ahead of anything |
ever heard of. And the old man doesn't say
a word! What next?"
A pause ensued which was at last broken
by the deacon.
"Well. if you must have her, you must l
expect the old lady will want something to
say about it, she thinks as much of Jenny as
1 do. Won't you come into the house?"
''Not now. I've got to 60 down to the
village before dark. I'll be round sometime
Hiram jenkins waited until he saw his sue
cessful rival climb the fence between the
two farms. Then he deliberately unhitched
his horse, got into the wagon and off, never
casting look towards the window where the
fair Jenny sat in watchful expectation. Not
until he reached his own door did he draw
long breath.
1T seems like dream" said he, slowly
the harness. ITO think of Jenny
Bates kicking her own father and biting her
lol, 1>o A. l., 1.,k
ter wouldn't melt in her mouth. 1t is just as
her to kick The old hypocrite! Well, l
s'pose Elnathan Rogers feels cranky enough
now he's got her. l just hope she'll kick bis
head off, Lucky for me I overheard what
did,"
Notwithstanding this self-grati6cation, Hi
ram felt al the pangs of disappointment and
jealousy He had not only lost his ''girl,"
but he had been cut in the most mortifying
manner by a man he held in thorough con-
tempt. He felt that even with what he knew
Of Jennys faults, if he could spite his rival
Or the deacon either, he would do it.
A week passed by and Jenny was never
out of Hiram's thoughts One day he went
10 the village, and while there, standing in
front of the post Office, Elnathan Rogers
lrove by with the deacon's mare
Il s'pose now he's got Jenny, he thinks
he's got right to the whole property, NUT |
,ered Hiram. 81 wish to gracious the old
mare would put her feet through the DASH
ooard!'
That night the singing school met at the |
Academy. Hiram came late. He used to |
lit with the tenors just behind Jenny Bates. !
Now he chose different seat, and tried hard |
% sing bass. He could not, however, help |
seeing Elnathan Rogers pass peppermint loz-
snges to Jenny, and also write something on