The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-03-06
Hiram Jenkins Mistake.

Hiram Jenkins drove slowly up the
hill road that lead to the farm of Dea.
con Bates. 1t was PLAIN even to the
casual observer that the errand he was
bound upon was of no common i'm
portance. No man would have array
ed himself SO gorgeously simply for
the purchase of a tub of fall butter or
yoke Of steers. His hair was in state
of distressing smoothness, and seemed
almost part of the glossy hat which
covered it. His ceat and pantaloons
were marvellous in their way, and his
boots, which had been deliberately
blacked, reflected back the rays of the
setting sun in q manner perfectly
binding to the behelder. And yet,
Notwithstanding his superiority IN all
these respects to the lilies of the fields,
there was apparent in his actions q sim
gular sort of nervousness, trepida-
ton almost which rendered his ap.
pearance at once ridiculous and awk.
ward. This trepidation was in no
wise lessened by the sudden vision of
an urchin watching him from the barn
door, and who, as the team approached
with an overwhelming grin, sped off
in the direction Of the farmhouse, and
disappeared through the kitchen door.
Hiram was conscious minute after
wards of being tho target for half .
dozen pairs of eyes from tho sitting.
room windows, and it required extra.
ordinary 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 awk-
ward things to do than to get out Of q
carriage when women are watching,
and though Hiram had never thought
of the fact before he fully experienced
its truth, as endeayoring to spring
genteelly from the buggy his foot
slipped on the wheel, and he came
down on his hands and knees in the
dirt. His remarks as he scrambled to
his feet were confined to one word.
but that though short was the most
expressive one in the English language
I'm have to go round TO the barn
pump and wash my hands before 1 60
in he said to himself. Il suppose they
are having their fun out of me in the
house now. Confound it, 1 wish /
hadn't started
AS he passed the door of the horse.
barn, which was partly opened, he
heard the sound Of voices. He listen
ed, and his heart sank as he recog-
nized the tones of his rival, Elnathan
Rogers.
Il 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
Il don't know about that answered
the Deacon doubtfully. Il have al
ways said, ceme what would, would
not part with Jenny. But you hang
on so, don't know
Say it's a bargain, deacon. I've
thought it over good while, AND
Jenny 1 must have. I'll treat her vel
you may be sure of that
The deacon hesitated, blew his nose
and finally said:
'She's got some little tricks that no
body knows nothing about but me
and don't want to impose upon .
neighbof.
tOh, pshaw that is only an excuse
deacon. Pm willing to risk it,
tShe kicked me in the stomach Las
winter, and bit little Sammy not more
than six weeks ago. can show you
the scar now
Great kingv thought Hiram. 'Bu
here was going to pop the question
this very night. Who would hav,
ever thought it?
I'll take that out of her, said Elna
than, continuing the conversation. Il
she 50 much as lifts her foot agains
me, I'll give her . lick'n'that will last ,
tmonth.
q.