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

sLickP ejaculated Hiram to himself,
astonished beyond measure. Lick
Jenny Batesl Well, this goes ahead
of anything ever heard Of And the
old man doesn't say q wordl What
next?'
A pause ensued, which was ct last
broken by the deacon.
well, if you must have her you
must. Iexpect the old lady'll want
something to say about it, she thinks
as much of Jenny as I do. won't
you come into the house?'
mot now. I've got to go down to
the village before dark. I'll be round
some time Tomorrow
sHiram Jenkins waited until he saw
his successful rival climb the fence be-.
tween the two farms. Then he delib-
erately unhitched his horse, got into
the wagon and drove of, never casting
. look toward the window where the
fair Jenny sat in watchful expectation
Not until he reached his own door
did he draw q long breath.
1T seems like "a dream said he,
slowly unbuckling the harness. ITO
think Of Jenny Bates kicking her own
father and biting her little brother,
aud she looking IS though butter
wouldn't melt in her mouth. It isjust
as mean though, for the deacon to lick
% tits for her to kick. Well, must
say I'm nightly deceived in the
Bateses. l s'pose Elnathan Rogers feels
cranky enough now he's got her. 1
just hope she'll kick his head of.
Lucky for me overheard what did.
| Notwithstanding this self-gratula-
ton, Hiram felt all the pangs of disap-
pointment and jealousy. He had not
only lost his GIRL but he had been
cut out in the most mortifying man
ner by man he held in thorough con-
tempt. He felt that even with what
he knew of Jenny's faults, if he could
gain her hand he would carry her of
in spite of his rival or the deacon ei-
ther.
l
never out of Hiram's thought. One
day he went to the village, and while
there, standing in front of the post
Office, Elnathan Rogers drove by with
the deacon's mare.
Il s'pose now he's got Jenny, he
thinks he's got q right to the whole
property muttered Hiram. Il wish
to gracious the old mare would put
her feet through the dash-boardl'
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 differ.
ont seat, and tried hard TO sing bass.
He could not, however help seeing Ell
nathan Rogers pass peppermint lozen.
ges to Jenny, and also write some.
thing on the blank leaf of her singing
book which she read and answered.
cor course he'll 60 home with her
tonight thought Hiram. It'll be the
frat time I've missed for q year. He's
welcome, though
The doxology closed the school at
last, and there was q grand bustling
about the door, and eager pushing
among the young men to make sure of
their favorites. Hiram was trying to
make his way through the crowd,
when he found himself at the elbow of
Jenny Batee, and at the same moment
the hateful voice of Elnathan Rogers
was heard in the words -
Shall see you home tonight, Miss
Bates p
mo, sir,' was the prompt reply, Il
shall walk home alone.
Hiram was totally unprepared for
this.
Perhaps it's one of her fits,' he said
to himself. The deacon said she had
them, that nobody knew but himself.
I ana glad she mittened him, though.
The word mitten reminded Hiram
that he had left both of his on his seat
in the school-room, and he stepped
back just as the candles were being
put out
'Here's Jenny Bates singing book, >
he heard one boy say to another. 'She
went off 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 eager look sought
out the written message that had pass
ed between Jenny and his rival. They
were as follows:
'Tell your father he cheated me
when bought old Jenny. thought
by her name that she must be good for
something, but she bites and kicks ten
times worse than he ever told me. l
wish now had spoken for the Jenny
in the house instead of the one in the
barn.
| And the answer:
Il guess the horse is as good as you
deserve. As for your choosing be-
tween the two you mention, you won't
be able to do that this year. You have
got the only Jenny you can from my
father.
A light broke upon Hiram.
well, of all the Internal fools
ever heard of, am the biggestl A
dog would have more sense. 'Tis no
too late now, thank heaven.
The departing crowd stared as Hi
rame, with the singing book in hi
hand rushed down the stairs. two at ,
time, and up the road which lead Il
Deacon Bates. II he was not too lat,
he was nearly 90, for Jenny was jus
opening the gate Of the front yard.
stop Jenny y he exclaimed, pantin.
for breath. Here's your singing book
you left it on your seat. 1 tried I,
overtake your
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