The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-07-01
Hiram jenkins Mistake.


road that led to the farm OF Deacon Bates
1t was plain even to the casual observer
that the crrand he was bound upon was OF
no common Importance. No man would
have arrayed himself so gorneouslv simply
for the purchase of a tub OF fall butter on
yoke of steers His hair was in a state
of distressing smOothnesS. and seemed
almost a part Of the glossy hat which coy
cred it. His coat and pantaloons Were
marvels in their way, and his boots which
had been deliberately BACKED, reelected
back the rays OF the setting sun in a man
ner perfectly binding to the beholder
And yet. Notwithstanding his superiority
in all these respects to tile lilies OF the
fields. there was apparent in his actions
a singular sort of nervousness, 4 trepida-
ton almost, which rendered his appear
ance at once ridiculous and awkward
This trcpidation was in no wise lessened
by the sudden vision OF Il red headed
urchin watching him from the barn door,
and who, as the team approached, with
an overwhelming grin, sped of in the
direction of the farm house. and disap-
peared through the kitchen door. Hiram
was conscious a minute afterwards OF being
the target for half a dozen pairs of eyes
from the sitting room windows, and it
required extraordinary strength of mind
on his part 70 drive past the house to the
shed where the horses OF all visitors We're
hitched. There are few more awkward
things to do than to get ont of a carriage
when women are watching. and though
fact before he fully experienced its truth,
rs, endeavoring to spring genteeIly from
the buggy his foot slipped on lhe 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 express
sve one in the English language.
''Ill have to 90 round to the barn pump
and wash my hands before | go in" he
said to himself. IL suppose they are hay
ing their fun out of me in the house now
Contound it, wish hadn't started"
As he passed the door of the horse barn
which was partly opened, he heard the
sound OF voices. He listened, and his
heart sank as he recognized the tones OF
his rival. Emathan Rogers.
II want her bad, " he was saying 'She
Just suits me. You can't always have her,
You know. and you'd better call the thing
settled"
Il don't know about that" answered
the deacon doubtfully. Give always said,
come what would. | wouldn't part with
Jenny. But you hang on so, | don't
know
Say its a bargain, deacon. I've thought
it over a good while, and Jenny must
have. III treat her we'll, YOU may be sure
of that"
The deacon hcsitated, blew hsnose, and
finally said;
"ohe's got some little tricks that nobody
knows nothing about but me, and don't
want to impose upon a neighbor."
"Oh pshaw. that's only an excuse.
deacon. Pm 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, ''but
here was going to pop the question this
very night. Who would have ever thought
it ~
'I'll take that out of her" said Elna-
than, continuing the conversation. "lt
she so much rs lifts her foot against me,
III give her ickin' that'l last month. :"
Lick.' calculated Hiram to himself,
beyond measure. 'Lick Jenny
Bates! Well, this goes ahead of anything
| ever heard of. And the old man doesn't
say a word! What next?'
A pause ensuedwhich was at last broken
by the deacon.
"Well, if you must have her. vou must.
expect the old lady want something to
Al, - oh, th
as | do. Won't you come into the house ?"
"Not now. I've got to 90 down to the
village before dark III be round some
time Tomorrow"
Hirarn jenkins waited until he saw his
successful rival climb the fence between
the two farms. Then he deliberately I'M
htched his horse, got into the wagon and
drove off, never casting look toward the
window where the fair Jenny sat in watch
full expectation. Not until he reached his
own door did he draw long breath
at seems like dream" said he, slowly
the harness. "To think of
Jenny Bates kicking her own father and
biting her little brother, and she looking
as though butter wouldn't melt in her
mouth. 1t is just as mean, though, in the
deacon to lick as It's for her to kick The
old hypocritc! Well, must say Pm
nightly deceived in the Bateses.
s'pose Elnathan Rogers feels cranky
enough now he's got her. | just hope
she'll kick his head Off Lucky for me |
overheard what did"
Notwithstanding this f-gralulation,
Hiram felt all the pangs Of disappoint-
ment and jealousy. lie had not only lost
his girl but he had been cut out in the
most mortitying manner by man he
held in thorough contempt He felt that
even with what he now knew of Jenny's
faults, if he could gain her hand he would
carry her off in spite of his rival or the
deacon either
A week passed by and Jenny was never
out of IIiram's thoughts. One day he
went to the village, and while there,
standing in front OF the post office, Elna-
than Rogers drove by with the deacon's
mare.
81 s'posc now he's got Jenny, he thinks
he's got a right to the whole property, !"
nuttered Hiram, 81 wish to gracious
the old mare would put her feet through
the dash board ~
That night the singing school met at
the Academy, Hiram came late. He
nsed to sit with the tenors Just behind
Jenny Bates. Now he choose different
seat. and tried hard to sing bass. He
could not, however, help seeing Elnathan
Rogers pass peppermint lozengers to
Jenny, and also write something on the
blank-leaf of her singing book, which she
read and answered.
"Of course he'll go home with her to-
night" thought Hiram. "It'll be the first
time I've missed it tor year. He's well
come though"
All the intermission he kept his seat.
ana pretended to be very busy looking
TOR some tune in the singing book that
refused to he found Jenny did not look
at him.
The doxology closed the school at last,
ana there was grand bustling about the
door, and eager pushing among the young
men to make sure of their fayorites
Hiram was trying to make his way
through the crowd, when he found him