Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-06-12
PLTEHT s0DY.'

Malachi Granger was a well to do
young farmer. He had a smart chance
of produce on hand, and though he
might as well take a run up to town and
have look for himself at the state OF
the market. He had worked hard all
summer, and was disposed to make the
most of the fruits of his labor. Besides
he knew Fanny Fairfield was on a visit
to her city cousins, the Primpleys, and
Malachi was dying to see her, though
he won't avouch that had any thing to
do with suggesting trip to town at
that particular season.
Once there, however, it would have
been rude not to make a friendly call
on Fanny, and Fanny was the last per-
son Malachi would have dreamed Of
being rude to. He had never ventured
to tell her how much he liked her; but
she guessed it pretty well, and wasn't
offended at it either, Notwithstanding
the pleasure she took in keeping him
under the harrow by withholding the
slightest sign Of encouragement.
How arc you, Kl? Pm real glad to
see you, was Fanny's greeting, and
.Ki' thought it was we'll worth trip to
town to get 1t.
But the ceremony OF introduction to
the dashing Mss Primleys was quite
another aiair. They received him with
a couple sf stiG bows, not designing a
word in reply to his bashful-
'Howdy ladies?'
His discontinue was still greater
when, on being presented to Mr.
Poppy flower, the young ladies' fashion
able friend, that gentleman declined tC
notice his proaered hand, vouchsadng
no other recognition than stony stare
through his eye-glass. And when th(
Miss Primleys piled III with questions
about the opera, and how he likec
Siguora de Screechi, he could only
stammer chat he'd never seen the lady
and felt SO silly and awkward that he
wished himself thousand miles away
why couldn' they talk about the crops
or the weather, or some other sensible
subject Oh which he could hold his own:
To his great relief, at last, Mr
Poppyfower proposed to treat the COM
pany, if they would walk over to thu
drugstore in which he held the position
of soda-clcrk.
Ki reioiced at the prospect OF having
a few words in private with Fanny by
the way. But to his intense disgust
Mr. Poppyhower cut in ahead and takin4
Fanny on his arm. led the way, leaving
/ Ki to follow with the twO Miss Prim'
leys, between whom he felt as crushed
and chilled as if he had been We lged
between couple oficebergs.
When he had helped the ladies tc
vanilla, strawberry and lemon. accord
ing to their several tastes
What will you have sr: SAID
Poppy1ower. addressing Ki.
The latter had no particular choice.
Let me recommend! some ofour new
patent soda, said Mr.. p, with a wink
at the ladies.
Ki didn't care if he tried it.
Mr.. Poppyhower smptled the contents
of two blue papers into one glass and
those of two white ones into another
then filling both with water and stir
ring up the contents
Drink that said he, handing one o
the glasses to Ki.
Ki did so. He thought it tasted q
little soapy, but was too petite to say so
Now take that
He drained the other glass, II
dropped from his hand with a crash. A
fearful change came over his counte
nance. Jets of foam spouted from hi
mouth and nostrils. He was certain
others were gushing from his eyes anC
ears. He felt as though hO ha'
swallowed a Volcano in full eruption.
He fled toward the door. Murder !
poison = he was at the point Of shout
ing when a chorus of laughs behind hin
caught his ear. 1t flashed upon hin
that he was the victim OF a trick. Hi
first impulse was to face about and brazil
the impertiuent Poppyhower in hi
tracks. But he dreaded to conlron
! Fanny. So, without staying his steps
he lodged round the corner, leaving
broad trail Of froth to mark the line Q
his fight.
Fanny was little alarmed at first
But when told it was only Seidlit
powders, she was forced to join in tn
laugh, fearing to share the ridicule he
rustic lrieal had incurred, if she spok
out her real opinion Of the trick 81
shabbily played upon him.
Though Fanny, on her return home
was considerate enough ato keep III
misadyenture to herself, knowing th
Youngsters would tease him to death
= the story got out. Xxi felt too sheepisl
to show himself in her presence.
will never do it till get even wit
, that Poppyhowcr,' he said to himself
1t was the season for duck-shootlng
and Poppyfower, having a short vaca
ton before him. resolved 10 try his han'
at the sport. He had never 5sen ou
OH the field, il is true, but he had praC
liccd at shooting-gallery, and ha
no doubt of being able TO bas his ial
share of game. Moreover, he had learn