The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1879-10-30

and then, heartily enjoying the fun, and
taking by surprise--bf, giving rather
what he waited, without word or com
mioht, he came upon a show that caused
him much CONSERVATION.
There, filing out of the "Institute."
came In pairs, three, and little knots. the
good, frequently venerable, but always
ugly, widows and spinsters of Slumber-
well. 1t was a terrible sight to him and
he grOaned but looking over the way and
noting the infinite relish and mirth of
his two followers, he nervcd himself and
sped forward,
" After all" he argued. "they're all
old, and can't show fight or run. Itonly
wants cheek"
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 n 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 huge flock
OF geese; such a cackling, such Kissing,
such a hubbub was never heard before.
lie had only another twenty yards
further to go. But they kept pressing
up in front of him, and closing all round
him. he was getting bewildCred as to
which he had kissed. Things were be-
coming seriousl He could hear two fits
OF sustained laughter, convulsing two
male somcb0dies over the road He
wouldn't give inl He made dash at u
big, bony womanl .
Z" Scra-ashp and there was a long,
smarting scratch down his face.
" Would ye, nowT inquired Dame
Scaremale, trying to repeat the applica-
tion, rs he backed away from her.
A dozen hands were upiftcd now,
each garnishcd with formidable-ooking
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 very large head, in
very large bonnet, sprang forward with
a shrill shrek, and locked pair of long
1.-the arms round his neck with the grip
OF Gorgon, ii the ancient suppositi0n
was that their grips were throttling. 1t
was no use; down he went!
Then rose the cry, "To the pump!
Put him under the pumpw
Half dragged, half carried, in the
midst Of the petticoat mob; the little
old woman, looking like the antiquated
witch of fairy-lorc, and Dame Scare
plale, being the prime movers.
Appealing vainly for rescue and as
sistance, he was ANONYMOUSLY placed
under the pump, and not till he was
drenched and half drowned did they all
scamper of, and leave him to his bitter
reflections, and two friends.
That evening there was a supper at
the Boars Head, to which some dozen
nearly were seated. Waggers stood"
IL, having been declared the winner of
the bet.
Harry Daunton had been duly chaffcd
and laughed at, and having somewhat
recovered his temper-though not his
whole skin consented to act as vice."
while Mr.. Wilkins took the "upper
end"
81 say, Daunton," exclaimed the
president, wasn't that big woman a
Tartar? Let's drink to her!2
BY Jove, Wilkins, it's all very well
TO laugh; | wish you'd been therep
+" So was; but could hardly see for
laughing"
"That big woman" put in Waggers,
lis Dame Scaremale, supposed to be the
strongest woman in Slumberwell,
though she is turned sixty"
No she isn't, thenl I'd like to
know who that little old woman, with
the big head was2 Cad il ever |
meet her alone, not all the chivalry
in male human nature shall save her
shriyelled old carcassp'
There was a giggle behind his chair.
He turned, but only saw Perks.
What are you making that noise
forP he queried.
A roar went up around the table.
"Well, / don't see what you're all
laughing at" he said, returning to his
supper
1t was turning out time" again be-
fore they departed, very jovial and
iolicking. Neither Messrs. Daunton nor
Waggers could have identified, with
any degree Of certainty, which was the
little old woman, and which big Dame
Searemale, in their then happy frame Of