The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-18
THE DAILY STAR
TOMS SALAMANDER.

Farmer Somers was the owner of one
of the best and most beautiful farms in
Ulster County, New York. His family
consisted of son and daughter, and a
young man, very distant relative, whom
he had adopted. His son John, having
no taste for agricultural pursuits, was
. sent to New York to study law, and at
the time our story opens, was steadily
rising in his profession. Fred. Harvey
from the moment he entered the house
hold, was considered one of the family,
and as Mr.. Somers was in declining years,
the overseeing of the farm was entrusted
to his care. He was great favorite with
the old farmer, and, as rumor had it, with
his bright-eyed and comely daughter,
Mary. 1t was fixed fact in the minds
of the neighboring farmers, their wives
and daughters, that Fred.s and Mary
would be married and live on the farm.
John was growing so Hch in the great
city that few hundred acres of land in
the country was mere bagatelle in his
estimation. Being of generous nature,
and so wealthy, it was generally conceded
that he would put no obstacle in the way
of the young people to retard their hap
piness. Mr.. and Mrs. Somers smiled upon
their love, and gave them every opportu-
nifty to cultivate it.
Unfortunately for Fred.'s peace of
mind, John, when leaving the city on
his last Christmas vacation, brought
with him one of his f,ew York friends.
He was one of the kid-gloved gentry
belonged to fashionable club, of which
he was never weary of talking and dis
playing his standing therein, wore the
latest styles, patronized literature,
horse-racing, swimming, and was con-
noisseur in all athletic sports. During
his stay at the farm, which lasted a week,
he monopolized Mary to himself, to the
chagrin and disgust of Fred. He sang
duets with her on the piano in the draw
ing-room, got up skating parties by
moonlight on the lake, about mile dis
liant from the farm, and had driven her
there in the old family sleigh, to the
great annoyance of Fred. Harvey. Before
he returned to the city the minds of the
neighbors had undergone a change. 1t
was now freely whispered that Mr.. Clar-
ence Eldridge, the New York swell, had
captlvated the heart of Mary Somers,
and when he returned next summer he
would take her back with him to the
city as his bride. And Fred. was fearful
that their prognostications would be ver-
flied.
Summer came, John and Mr.. Eldridge
arrived at the farm three or four days
before the Fourth of July. On the first
evening of their arrival Mr. Eldridge
paid marked attention to Mary, and
scarcely condescended to address word
to Fred. 1t was evident to the latter
that the Getty chap" considered him
mere country pumpkin, and he de-
termined to get even with him at any
cost. The conversation, as was usual
when Eldridge was present, drifted to
horse-racing, swimming, and so forth, and
Fred, being angry, cast a doubt upon
the aquatic accomplishments and prowess
of the city visitor This led to chal-
lenge between them, which was to take
place in the lake on the evening of the
Fourth, Eldridge insisting that Mary
should be the umpire. They shook hands
at parting for the night, but each in his
heart wished the other in-Jericho.
Next morning Fred, to while away the
time, started to the lake to fish for perch,
with which its waters abounded, taking
with him Tom Langan, the hired man,
bright and intelligent Irishman. The
fish did not bite good, and Fred, who
was getting restless and weary, proposed
to his own companion to have swim in
the lake, telling him at the same time of
the match soon to take place, and asking
his opinion of it. Before Tom could
reply he saw bite, and proceeded to
haul out his victim. But he found it
difficult matter. His utmost exertions
could only succeed in raising its head
above the water.
"Holy Mosesw exclaimed Tom; "what
sort of monster is it? Inever saw the
like of that in Kilbeggan! 1t is the face
of bulldog and a neck like a gander.
See how it opens its mouth!'
Fred, laughingly, took hold of the
line, and in few minutes succeeded in
landing large swapping turtle on the
bank. Toms astonishment was great,
for he had never seen turtle in his life
before, and asked hundred questions
concerning it. Fred. told him all he
knew about the creatures habits, and
particularly about his swapping powers.
At the same time, by way Of illustration,
he placed stick in its mouth, which the
turtle sunk its teeth into and held with
the tenacity of death, and Tom was una
BILE to extricate it from his jaws.
'Does it how'd on to everything it
catches like that, Mr.. Harvey? he in
quired.
eyes, everything, Tom. If you left it
as it is now, it would die with that stick
in its grasp, and even in death retain its
hold"
'It's droll-lSpk creatur, anyway, an
Pm glad for your sake that l catched il"
"Why for my sake%
"Didn't you say you were goin' to
swim against the city bostoon on the
Fourth?"
81 did, and will"
DWELL, then, if you lave me this sala-