The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-09-11

and then, heartily enjoying the fun, and
taking by surprise-or, giving rather
what he wanted, without word or COM
ment, he came upon show that caused
him much consternation.
There, filing out of the Institute"
came in pairs, three, and little knots, the
ugly, widows and spinsters of Slumber-
well. 1t was terrible sight to him, and
he groaned but looking over the way and
noting the infinite relish and mirth of
his two followers, he nerved himself and
sped forward. .s Il
After all" he argued. "they're all
old, and can't show fight or run. 1t only
Down on the first batch. One after
the other he caught them dexterously by
the shoulders, and pumped them one :
anywhere! Still on he urged, not miss
ing any, first making a pounce against
the wall; then, with bound, across the
path into the road, and on to one whose
old legs were warily trying to dodge him;
and now, two at. time, with an arm
round each neck. 1t was for all the
world like big fox among a huge flock
Of geese; such cackling, such ahissing,
such hubbub was never heard before.
He had only another twenty yards
further to 60. But they kept pressing
up in front of him, and closing all round
him; he was getting bewildered as to
which he had kissed. Things were be-
coming serious! He could hear two fits
Of sustained laughter, conyulsing two
male somebodies over the road. He
wouldn't give in! He made dash at a
big, bony woman!
Scra-ashr' and there was long,
smarting scratch down his face. ~
Would ye, nowT' inquired Dame
Scaremale, trying to repeat the applica-
ton, as he backed away from her.
A dozen hands were uplifted now,
each garnished with formidable-looking
nails, and he was getting hemned in.
He wasn't beaten yet, with that laughter
ringing in his ears; but plunged and
bounced, till suddenly a little old
woman, with a very large head, in a
very large bonnet, sprang forward with
shrillshriek, and locked pair Of long
1.-THE arms round his neck with the grip
of a Gorgon, II the ancient suppositior
was that their grips were throttiing. II
was no use; down he wentl
Then rose the cry, "To the pump
Put him under the pump"
Half dragged, half carried, in the
midst of the petficoat mob; the littl'
old woman, looking like the antiquatet
witch of fairy-lore, and Dame Scare
male, being the prime movers. stMs
Appealing vainly for rescue and as
sistance, he was ignominiously placec
under the pump, and. not till he wa
drenched and half drowned did they al
scamper of, and leave him to his bite
reflections, and two friends.
| iT
That evening there was supper a
the Boar's Head TO which some dozel
nearly were seated .Waggers 'fstcod
it, having been declared the winner o
the bet.5T aIe5. l Ere -E.tgafya
Harry Daunton had been duly chaffe'
and laughed at, and having, somewha
recovered his temper-thongh mot hi
whole skin consented to actlas "vice,
while Mr.. wilkins took the "uppe
end" @ a gll gE~ll.f ,
al say, Daunton," exclaimed tn
\ president, wasn't that big woman
! Tartar? Let's drink to herH @
by Jove, Wilkins it's all very we
to laugh; / wish you'd been there"
$50 was; but could hardly zee fo
laughing" ,- 90 s.l1n l.- :,
"That big woman" put in Wagger
sis Dame Scaremale, supposed to be tn
strongest woman in Slumberwel
though she is turned sixty"
"No she isn't, then! I'd like t
know who that little old woman, wit
the big head wasf Gadl- if ever
meet her alone. not all the .chivalr
in male human nature shall save ht
shrivelled old carcassp = Il q
: There was giggle behind his chai
: he turned, but only saw Perks.
What are you making that moi:
, fort" he queried. i- ei'''.'
j A roar went up around the table.
: We'll, don't see. what you're a
laughing at" he said, returning to h
, supper e }. .r .r.T. /. teaGaE
: 1t was turning out time" again b
3 fore they departed, very jovial an
r rolicking. Neither, Messrs. Daunton NJ
? Waggers could have. identified, wit
|, any degree Of certainty, which was Il
little old woman, and which big Dan
J, Scaremale, in their then happy frame
J, mind.