The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-24

LAW VERSUS LOVE.

owning fine farm and being plaintiff in
q lawsuit is any criterion. Aside from
Mr.. Popkins' misfortune in being bach
elor, he had one fault, a general aversion
to female society and particular aver
sioh to Miss Sallie Hopkins, the defend
ant in the above-named lawsuit.
Now, be it known, that though Miss
6allie's name was put down on the list of
O. Ms (old maids) she was the roundest,
cosiest, dimple-cheeked spinster that ever
lived in Lincoln. She had the softest
brown eyes, with trick of looking down
and peeping under the lashes, perfectly
bewildering, and her hair waved and
shOne in such a manner that suscep-
tible lady like you and me 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 I have said,
between her and Mr.. Popkins there was
q deadly feud, and the cause of all the
trouble was meadow, spreading far and
wide and unconscious between Miss Sal
lies and Mr.. Popkins' farms.
Now, the truth Of the matter was this:
fhe meadow justly belonged 10 Mr.. Pop
kins; but instead of going to Miss Sallie
and frankly stating the case, he must
serve process of law. Miss Salle flew
all to pieces, and declared that she would
maintain her rights at any cost.
From the manner in which it ended,
one could see that had Mr.. Popkins gone
TO her himself, she would have relin-
pushed it gracefully, but woman has a
mortal terror of being forced to do any
thing. Tie string around her neck,
feed her with sugar-plums, and you can
lead her to the jumping-oh place; but go
to drive her, and for obstinacy she will
beat Mark 1wain's mule all to pieces.
When Miss Sallie met Mr.. Popkins on
the street her nose was decidedly ere
trousse," and Mr.. Popkins looked like an
sutomaton Cardiff giant. The neigh
bors were forced to take part in this case,
for when invitations were issued for the
regular tea parties, those who invited
Mr.. Popkins were obliged to omit Miss
Eallie, and vice versa.
In the meantime, the lawsuit dragged
its slow length along from session to ses-
sion, from term to term, until it was as
familiar as A B G. But fate had taken
In hand the destiny of these two obsti-
nate individuals, and soon brought mat
ters to most satisfactory conclusion,
though the unconscious mediator was
rather burlesque on the higher tragedy
daily enacted.
There lived close to these belligerents a
good-natured old man.. nearly as deaf as
a post, who had the greatest faculty for
laundering on unfortunate facts of any
individual known either in ancient Or
modern history.
He never heard anything correc tly
and it was an utter impossibility to try
TO explain, and if you attempted it you
wsuld find yourself tloundering ina per
feet slough Of despair,
Miss Sallie and Mr.. Popkins had re-
eeived notice that their case would come
up for the final hearing in Harrow on
Tuesday Of the next week. Miss Sallie
concluded to take the stage; Uncle Ben
Dropper, our deaf friend, had business a
little 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 there being no time for other ar
rangements, he must take the same con
veyance.
Miss Sallie came floating down to the
gate With white ribbons and bows, and
dainty dress, sufficient to bewilder man
with as stony heart as the sphinx, and
saw approaching from the opposite hel
foe, in Immaculate broadcloth and shirt
front. For moment the color rushed
to her.cheeks, and she half resolved to &c
back; but to be outdone by man, and
be Popkins, was not to be thought of
30 she stepped into the coach with an all
of sixteen Queen Victorias, elevating hel
head until it made an acute angle with
her nose, and became sublimely uncon
scious of any ones presence. Mr.. Pop
kins seated himself as though he hat
swallowed whole foundry. and had hi
pockets full of. eggs for dessert. JUS
then came Uncle Ben, putting and blow
lDg, uItcllV uHCOnoClovo VI tuC VdVuo VI
the impatient Jehu.
Good morning, Miss Sallie," said he
carefully seating himself beside her
"Good morning, Mr.. Popkins. Where
might you be going, and what for9"
ITO Harrow" said Mr.. Popkins, in hi
most polite manner, answering the frs
question, and ignoring the last.
"Du tellw and the round face fairly
beamed with placid surprise. "Going tt
marry? Well, I told Hester last nigh
that was the suit after all. There ain
no more capable girl anywhere, thar
Sallie, and l am glad you found it out
And Mr.. Popkins is wonderful clever,
turning to Sallie, "ahd instead of ther'
being two farms and a lawsuit, ther,
need be only one. Law, bless me'
rubbing his hands with increased satisfac
ton, "if it amt tip-top arrangement
Mr.. Popkins clutched at his throat al
though he was choking to death, ano
made spasmodic efforts to utter word O.
explanation, but his tongue was utterly
paIsied and failed him in this emergency
Miss Sallie, with face Of the deepes
rose color, placed her hand to her mouth
and shouted 20 as to startle the horses
81 am going t6 see Mr.. Stiles on busi