Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-04-16
Dangerous Jenny Bates.

Hiram Jenkins drove slowly up the
hill road that led to the farm of Deacon
Bates. 1t was plain even to the casual
observer that the errand he was bound
upon was of no common Importance. No
man would have arranged himself so gor-
geously, simply for the purchase of a
tub of butter or a yoke of steers. His
hair was in state of distressing smooth
ness, and seemed almost part of the
glossy hat which covered it. His coat
and pantaloons were marvels in their
way, and his boots. which had been
deliberately blacked, reflected back the
rays of the setting sun in manner per-
fectly binding to the beholder. And
yet, Notwithstanding his superiority in
all these respects to the lilies of the
field, there was apparent in his actions
singular sort of nervousness, trepi-
dation almost, which rendered his ap-
pearance at once ridiculous and awk-
ward. This trepidation was in no wise
lessened by the sudden vision of red
headed urchin watching him from the
barn door, and who, as the team ap-
preached, with an overwhelming grin,
sped off in the direction of the farm
house, and disappeared through the
kitchen door. Hiram was conscious a
minute afterward of being the target for
half dozen pairs of eyes from the Sit
ting-room windows. and it required ex-
traordlnary strength of mind on his part
to 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 probably 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. H;~.-onarKs. as he
scrambl..l4sO- his feet were confined to
Une word, but that, though short, was
the most expressive one in the English
language.
"pll have to 60 round to the barn
pump and wash my hands before 1 can
60 in" he said to himself. 81 suppose
they are having their fun out of me in
the house now. Confound it. l wish L
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, Elnathan 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"
81 dent know about that" answered
the deacon, dOubtfully. "I've always
said, come what would, wouldn't part
with Jenny. But you hang on so, dom
know"
Say it's bargain, deacon. Pvt
thought it over good while, and Jenny
l must have. I'll treat her we'll, yol
may be sure of that
The deacon hesitated, blew his nos
and finally said:
"She's got some little tricks that no
body knows nothing about but me, ant
l don't want to impose upon neighbor.
"Oh, pshaw that's only an excuse
deacon. I'm willing to risk it.
"She kicked me in the stomach las
winter, and bit little Sammy not NOR
than six weeks ago. l can show 20
the scar now."
"Great king !" thought Hiram, "bu
here 1 was going to pop the question
this very night. Who would have tho
it?"
'I'll take that out of her," said E
nathan, continuing the conversation. 81
she so much as lifts her foot against me
I'll give her lickin' that will last
month"
"Lick !" calculated Hiram to himsel
astonished beyond measure. "Lick Jer
ny Bates Well, this goes ahead of an,
thing | ever heard of. And the old ma
doesn't say word What next ?"
: A pause ensued, which was at la
; broken by the deacon.
"Well, if you must have her, yC
must. l expect the old lady'll wal
something to say about it, though. 81
> thinks as much of Jenny as l do. Won
you come into the house 2"
Y "Not now. I've got to 60 down to Il
t village before dark. I'll be round son
u time to morrow"
Hiram Jenkins waited until he sa
his successful rival climb the fence
+ tween the two farms. Then he delibe
e ately unhitched his horse, got into b
/. wagon and drove off, never casting
r look toward the window where the fa
d Jenny sat in watchful expectation. N
until he reached his own door did
= draw long breath.
''lt seems like a dream" said /
slowly unbuckling the harness. Z"
It think of Jenny Bates kicking her o,
st father, and biting her little brother, a