Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-04-18

goes OF RfHins JlmDef, ana OJner Sucn
articles Of commerce.
On his return from these expeditions,
he had been accustomed to find his
house set in order for his arrival; his
clothes washed and mended, and his
meals nicely cooked and served; but,
since Patty's marriage had thrown him
upon his own resources, the Captain
had found woeful change in his home.
His friends had suggested that he
should follow his sisters example, and
take unto himself helpmate, but the
Captain was rather difiident on this
point, and averred that he had no time
TO waste in courtship. II the right
woman were to turn up, who would
marry him right away, without any cir
cumambulation and fooling, why he
miqh be induced to think of it, for his
clothes we're woefully in want of repair,
and his cooking was none of the best,
to say nothing of house-cleaning, and
other such drudgery, for the execution
of which women had been specially
created by kind and considerate
Providence.
AS it was, the Captain slowly shook
his iron-gray locks, and bravely an
nounced his own and Pickles intention
TO rub along together, and rough it out
as best they might-maybe something
would turn up in time.
The Captain was of a philosophic
turn of mind, and inclined to take
things easy. Not so PICKLE, who made
an occasion of demur or aggression OF
everything that fell in his way.
And thus it had been, indeed, that
Captain Teller had had the misfortune
of Misunderstanding with Miss Ma
hitable Parsons, before he had been
three days her neighbor.
1t had all come about through Pickle
and Spice. Spice had, throughout her
life, enjoyed the undisputed privilege
of daily siestas on the summit of the
fence-posts separating the two gardens;
which Pickle, observing, had resented
and resisted as an unwarrantable in
trusion upon his own and his master S
doi5i; 81 vacy.
A deadly feud had thereupon sprung
up between these two, resulting in more
than one bloody encounter, wherein
Pickle had nearly lost an eye, and Spice
had narrowly escaped with her life.
Miss Mahitable had taken part with
her prosecuted cat, and Captain Teller
had defended the cause of his aggrieved
dog; so that the GOODNESS existing be-
tween those two animals had extended
to their owners.
No one, however-not even Mahita-
ble-had dreamed of the Captains car
rying the matter so far as to threaten
To murder her nreciouS cat
Spice was the best known and most
highly respected cat in the town, and,
with the exception of that incorrigible
youngster, Dick Purnel-Lawyer Pur.
nel's son. to whom most of the mischief
in the. community might be traced--nC
one had ever yet dared to shy brick
bat at Miss Parsons favorite, or tc
shave her tail and string it with spoolS
of assorted sizes.
AS for Pickle, bow-legged, crop
cared bull-terrier, his master often de-
clared him to be the perfection of the
canine species, with whom he would
not part for his weight in gold. Pickle
had one weakness, the Captain sorrow
fully admitted, and that was cats.
On this particular April morning
Captain Teller, having paid an early
visit to the boat, returned home to hi:
seven o'clock breakfast. He entered a
the front door, with a cheerful counte
nance, followed by Pickle; but when
fifteen minutes later, he made his ap
pearance in his back garden, for the
purpose of cutting wood for his fire, hi!
broad, honest and not uncomely coun
tenance wore thoughtful and severe
aspect, and his eyes rested sternly upor
Sally, as she fled into her mistress bach
door with Spice in her apron.
Captain Teller turned over log witt
his foot, and muttered to himself:
"Rum 'un, she is! All wimmen folk
are rum 'uns, seems to me. Glad Pvt
got nothin' whatsomever to do with any
of 'em. I'm independent of the hui
set amr'
He turned the log again, looking fol
a favorable spot whereupon to com
mence operations, glanced at his tat
tered coat and trowsers airing on the
back stoop, and sighed.
Not but what there may be some
good ones among 'em, if body only
knew where TO find 'em,' as the di'
mond-washer said to the pebbles. A
smart, tidy, cheerful, willin' house
keeper, DOuld be convenience to hey
about ones house; but-ahem!-She'
rum specimen, there's no denyin'
What's got her back up so sudden thii
time, like that pesky cat of hers"
1t was at this moment that Miss Par
sons, with virtuous indignation in hel
eyes, and outraged innocence in her as
pect, made her appearance on her bacl
porch.
"Cap'n Tcllerr'
"Good-mornin', marmw responded
the person addressed, with much dig
nifty.
"Tm surprised at your said Mis-
Parsons, by way of commencement
and with marked emphasis.
Same to you, marin, if may bC
permitted so to express myself--mean
ing nothing disrespectful to wimmin.' y
Miss Mahitable's face flushed.
81 don't see, Cap'n Teller, why you
should be surprised at a woman's hav
ing word to say for herself, wher
she's abused and ill-treated.
"Very sorry, marin, if you've beer
worried. Pickle never meant it fol
you. so longs your cat lOtH agger
avate him by invadin' his premises, he
can skeersly be blamed for showin' the
Independence of his natur', If She {
keep on her own side, there'd be nc
difficulty"
"My cat has sat on that fence fol
over three years undisturbed, till you
and your dog came here to meddle and
worry, and make fuss in the neigh
borhood," said Miss Parsons, indfg.
nantly. "What harm does the cat dol
It's all owin' to that nasty, ugly, mean
natured dog of yours. And you dare tC
think of shooting my Spice, for sake Of
an ugly brute like thatr'
Captain Teller stood erect, and will
one hand resting on the handle of the
axe and the other extended in a noble
oratorical attitude. replied, with kin
ding eye and flushed face:
sAa-.S, e.. l.. "a A..