Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-05
Hoso a La,o Suit Vas Ended.

the name-snd sympathy for the condi-
ton. He was well-to-do in the world, if
owning fine farm and being plaintiff in
law suit is any criterion. Aside from
MIR. Popkins' misfortune in being bach
elor. he had one fault-a general aversion
to female society and a particular aversion
to Miss Sallie Hopkins, the defendant in
the above named suit.
Now, be it known, that thong d Miss Sal
lies name was put down on the list Of y.
Ms tOld Maids,) she was the roundest,
cosiest, dimpled-cheeked spinster that ever
lived in Lincoln. She had the softost
brown eyes, with trick of looking down
and peeping under the lashes, perfectly
bewil6ering, and her hair waved and shone
in the sunlight in such manner that q
susceptible lady, like you and ne, would
have felt an irresistible desire to have
sole ownership of the nut brown locks. !"
But however fascinating Miss Sallie
was to the sex in general, as have said,
between her and Mr.. Popkins there was
a deadly feud; aud the cause Of all the
trouble was a meadow, spreading far and
wide and unconscious between Miss Sal
lies and Mr.. Popkins' farms
Now, the truth of the matter was this:
The meadow Justly belonged to Mr. Pop
kius, but instead of going to Miss Sallie
and frankly stating the case hemust serve
\ process Of law. Miss Sallie flew all TO
pieces. and declared she would maintain
her rights at any cost.
am confident from the manner in
which the whole thing ended, that had
Mr.. Popkins gone to her himself. she
would have relinquished it gracefully, but
a woman has a mortal fear of being forced
to do anything. Tie a thread around
their necks, feed them with sugar plums,
and you can lead them to the Jumping
off place." 90 to driving them. and for
obstinacy they will beat Marx Twain's
mule in the Holy Land all to pieces.
When Miss SAliie met MIR. Popkins on
the street her nose was decidedly ere
trousse, and Mr. Popkins looked like en-
sutomatou Cardiff giant. The neighboTs
were forced to take part in this case, for
when invitations were issued to the regu-
ar te2-pArties, those who invited Mr..
Popkius were compelled to omit Miss Sa.-
lie, and vice versa.
In the meantime the law suit dragged
It's slow length along" from session TO ses-
sion, IRON term 10 term, until Popkins vs..
hopkin, was as familiar as \, B, c. Bat
fate mad taken in hand the destiny OF these
two obstinate individuals, and soon brought
matters to . most satisfactory conclusion,
although the unconscious mediator was
rather a burlesque on the high tragedy
daily enacted.
There lived close 10 these belligerentS
4 goOd-nstured old man, nearly as deaf as
post, who had the greatest faculty Of
laundering on unfortunate facts Of any
individual known either IN ancient or
modern history.
he never heard anything correctly, and
it was an utter impoSsiblity to try and
explain, for you would certainly find your
self foundering about in a perfect slough
Of despair
Miss Salie and Mr.. Popkins had re-
OeiYed notice that their case would como
W for final hearing, at Harrow, on Tues
dsy of the next week. Miss Sallie con-
eluded TO take the stage; Uncle Ben
Dropper. our deaf friend, had business a
itHe distance on the road, and he would
take the stage too. and Mr.. POpkins sad
die horse fell sick Just as he was needed,
and no time foJ any other arrangements,
50 he must take the same conveyance.
Miss Ssllie came floating down to the
gate with white ribbons and bows, and
dainty dress. sufficient to bewilder a man
with as stony heart as the sphinx, and
saw approaching from the opposite side,
her foe, in immaculate broadclOth and
shirt-front. For amoment the color rush
ed to her cheeks, and she half resolved
10 90 back but to be outdone by a man,
aud he Popkins, was not to be thought
Of So she stepped into the coach with
an air of sixteen Queen Victorias, elevat-
Cd her head until it was an acute ang lie
with her nose, and became suhlimely I'M
conscious OF any ones presence. Mr.
PopkiDs seated himself IS though be had
swallowed a whole foundry and had his
pockets full of eggs for dessert Just
then came Uncle Ben, putting and blowing
utterly unconscious Of the oaths Of the
impatient "Jehu." Ban
"Good morning. Miss Sallie," said he
carefully seating himself beside her
Good morning, Mr.. Popkins. Where
might you be going, and what forH"
80 Harrow" said Mr. Popkins, in his
most polite manner, answering the first
question and ignoring the last
"Du tell" and the round face fairly
glo~ed with placid surprise. Going &c
marry2 Well, l told Hester last night
that that was the best way to settle the
suit, after all. There amt more capa.
bic girl anywhere than Salie, and | an
glad yOu found it out. And Mr. Popkin;
is wonderful clever" turning to Sallie
land instead Of there being two farms and
lawsuit, there need be only one. Law
bless me-" rubbing his hands with in
creased satisfaction, "if it amt a tip-toI
arrangement"
Mr.. Popkins clutched at his throat al
though be were choking 70 death, anC