The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-10-08

months, and her mothers heart was al
most breaking to see her all her moth
er's back was literally breaking for the
relief her willing young hands would
bring. But threshlng Is one thing, and
women are another. or the two Job
Asher was most devoted to threshlng.
"Hullo, Job" said Pettibone, draw
ing his lines, and giving his neighbor
curt nod.
"Well, Pettbone," replied" Asher,
coming forward with ill-will in every
| line of his hard face, and chaR from
the grain covering him. He carried
wooden rake in one hand, and tried to
look the contempt he felt for the man
riding in his carriage.
" Hot day, isn't It 7"
" Yes, powerful hot. Threshing to-
day up your way ~
" Been Mt Ii since five. Pm Just go
ing over to the train now to meet my
SON."
I" Comm from school, ehp / expect
my girl to-day, but hain't got time to
look after her. I've got to look after
her sustenance and providin' for her
future 80 can't afford to loll around in
carriages and let my farm go to the dogs,
just now"
" If you mean to intimate that my
farms going to the dogs" said Petit
bone, his black eyes swapping, 81 can
assure you 1 amt intending to let you
have 1t. You're always standing with
your mouth open ready to snap up any
piece of land around. I'd rather see
my family decently clrcumstanced, IL
1 was you, to be heapin' up what /
couldn't take with me-"
You can't take nothin' you've got
with you, L bet," exclaimed Asher,
hotly. "And for all the airs of some
people in this neighborhood, my daugh-
ter will be better fixed than any Of
them-after awhile"
"Shes her fathers child" said Pet
tibone, with sneer. " Looking out
for the future, and sparing no pains to
help herself to all she can. DO you
know, sir" cried the fat farmer, giving
way to the wrath boiling within him,
that your girl has got my boy to pro-
mise to marry herp"
The lean farmer struck his rake on
the ground.
That isn't so, sir. My daughter
wouldn't take up with none of the
Pettibone set !"
81 tell you it is so, sir; and it's got
to be stopped!"
"And l tell you, sir, that your. son
can't have my daughter and if he
comes round here I'll set the dogs on
him."
" Set the dogs on my son, sir! I'll
horsewhip you If you do, sir!"
Get off my place, sir ~
There was pause in the threshing,
and the threshers, winking and nod
ding to each other, drew nearer this
conference.
"You're contemplate, narrow-souled
SNAIL" hurled Pettibone, perspiring
plentifully, as he began to turn his
horses head you're in the same little
shell that your grandfather started in.
If son of mine ever dared mention to
me that he wanted to marry your girl,
I'd cut him off without cent SO that's
your warning, sir. Tell her that she'll
get nothing by that transaction, If she
tries to carry it out"
"And your warning, sir, is the same
old warming" shouted Asher. "Your
dog came and killed my sheep once, and
the whole tribe of you have been trying
to prey on me ever since. Your dog'll
be shot like that un was afore, so keep
the puppy at home"
"That's a way for church brethern to
commune ~ observed one thresher to
another.
Pettibone started out of the farm-yard
gate, even his sorrel horse seeming to
shake the Asher dust off his feet, but
the way was blocked by a messenger
bringing warning different from those
which the two men had been sending to
each other. This was Abijah Pence
his nag was dripping, and the tall, lean
colt behind it looked but the spirit of a
colt.
My gracious !" cried Abijah Pence,
shaking two fingers at the farmers,
"haven't you heard the news 2"
Now, Abijah being always as full OF
news as walnut is of meat, nobody
felt startled by that introduction but
when he proceeded, Pettibone drew his
lines with spasmodic grip, and Asher