Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-05-28

thought il ?"
"l'il take ths, out OF her," ssid Eina-
than. continuing the conversation. at
: she so much as lifts her foot against me.
III give her lickin' that'll last month
Lick" calculated Hiram to himself,
n IS ed beyond measure. Lick Jenny
BA,es We. this goes ahead ot anything
| ever h, I'd of. Aud the old man doesu' I
say a woTd! What next2N
pause ensued. which was at last
broken by the deacon.
"Well,if you must have her, you must.
| expect the old lady'll want something
to say about it, she thinks as much OF
Jenny as | do. Won't you come into
the housef'
mot now. I've got to 20 down TO the
village before dark. I'll be round some
time tomorrow.
Hiram jenkins waited until hs ssw his
successful rival climb the fence between
the two ,arms. Then he deliberately un-
hilched his horse, got into toe wsg N and
dove of. never casting ,oos tow ard
the wudow wnecs the tair Jenny sat ia
watchful expectation Net until be
reached his own door did he draw long
breath.
at seems Ike dream" said be. slow!S
un6uckling the harness. ITO think Oi
jenny Bates kicking her own father and
biting aer little brotner. and she looking
as Iaough butter wouldn't melt in her
mouth. IL Is Just as mean though. in ihe
desoon u lies as lis tor her tu Kick. The
old hyDocTite We'll, | must say I'm
nightly deceived 10 the Bsleses.
s'Pose ElnaIhau Rogers feels cranky
enough now he's got her. jus. hooe
shea kick his head IF. Luck; for me
owe hes d what did
Notw .ns, ,Dding this SET cungra.uls-
tor, Hiram fet the paugs OF disappo'ai-
me1t snd jes,ousS. He hsd not only lost
his "giri" bul he had been Gus out 10 tho
most mortiiying manner by man he
held in thorough contempt. He felt that
even with what be knew of Jenny's
faults. If be could gain her hand he would
carry her of in spite OF his rival or the
de.con either.
Aweek passed By aud Jenny was never
out Of Hiram'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 descon's
mare.
Il 81 pose now he's got Jenny. he thinks
he's got a right to the whole property"
muttered Hiram. II wish TO gracious
the old mare would put her feet through
the dashboard ~
That night the singing school met at
/ the Academy. Hiram came late. He
used to sit with the tenors just behind
Jenny Bates. Now he chose 4 different
seat, and tried hard to sing bass. He
could not. however. help seeing EInsthsn
Rogers pass peppermint lozenges to Jen-
ny and also write something on the blank
leaf oi her singing book which she read
and answered.
"0f course he'll go home with her to-
night" thought Hiram. lin be the
first time I've missed il for year. He's
welcome, though"
The dotology closed the school at last,
and theoe was grand bustliug about the
door and eager pushing among the young
men to make sure of their iavoCites.-
Hiram was trying TO make his way
through the crowd. when he found HIM
self at the elbow OF Jenny Bates. aud al
the same moment the hateful voice OF
Elnathsn Rogers was heard in the words :;
"Shall 1 see you homo tonight, Miss
Bates2"
No. SIR" was the prompt reply, Il
shall wax home alone"
Hiram was totally unprepsred for this.
perhaps it's one OF her fits" be said
W Dlmsclls NC uchCOu calu suo uau
'em. that no. ody knew but himself. Pm
glad she milIened him. though"
The word lnitten reminded Hiram tha,
he had left both his on his seat in the
school-room, and he stepped back just as
the candles were being put out.
"Here's Jenny Bates's singing book"
he heard one boy say to another. "She
went of in such hurry tonight, that she
forgot it,"
"Give it TO me-" said Hiram. who re.
membered what had taken place that
evening, and with ca er look sought opt
the written message that had passed be-
tween Jerry and his rival. They were
as follows:
"Tell your father he cheated me when
bought old Jenny. thought by her
name she must be good for something,
but she bites and kicks ten times worse
than be ever told me. wish now | had
, spoken for the Jenny in the house instead
, OF the one iu he barn.
And the answer:
II guess the horse is as good as you
deserve. As tor your choosing between
the TWO you mention, you won't be able
| to do hat this year. You have got the
only Jenny you can f.om my father"
; A light broke in upon Hiram.
well, of all the internal fools | ever