The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-12-19

Dana and myself I'll shake the teeth out
of your head, | will, ha ha /! hain and
w siked away.
The laugh was like blow in the face
of Clipper F.; it was SO insultingly exultant.
He did not know much, but he was what
sporting men call ''gamey.' H danced
after the gentleman from Oshkosh and
caught his sleeve.
"See here, Bitter, can't live in a state
of apprehension. You were kind enough
to promise me a shaking. Let US so into
the alley, now, and fight it out. We will
both feel better for it,
Don't annoy me, said Bitter. passing
him. "IfI was on the Wolf now, I'd
throw you into the water for your impu'
dence."
Clipper looked at him in a very queer
way, and then remarked
every well, sir You're only coward:
Bitter, look out for yourselfE
II have always done so, remarked the
other, with laugh,
Mrs. Kruller's "HappY Family" was
thus cracked, as in Paradise, by woman
But poor little Miss Dana didn't knlw it.
She went on teaching school and sewing
half the night. She did not care for
Bitter nor for Clipper, nor for anybody
save Ame4 y Dana and good Mrs. kruller
who had been mother to the lone girl.
or course she was pleased when either
Clipper or Bitter was kind to her, but as
for love, that was unthought of.
Mr.. Clipper was something of diplo-
matist, and after his unpIeasantness with
the gentleman from Oshkosh he began to
plot against him It was q mean and
contemplate spirit for the man to show,
but Clipper was prosaicallY mortal. he
knew nothing about chivalry and that
sorl Of mythology that went out with the
knights two hundred Or more years ago
He belonged to the nineteenth century
an age that excuses the devil, lnvents
new crimes, aud honors the criminals
He did not plan to abduct anybody, to
cut his throat or imprison the object Of
his dislike in q dungeon but he propos-
ed to make him ridiculous. First he wor
over Dot Kruller, the mischieTous
daughter, then Mrs. Kruller, the mother
and then two married ladies. The con
gnirators proceeded with their work. They
secured q mans suit ofclnthts anu stuffed
the garments. They attached pair o
boots to the dummy and put under tht
he'd of Miss Dana, with the feet JUS
visible and then awaited the return, a
dark, Of that lady, who was down town on
shopping excursion. The only purpose
n Of the ladies was to secure the means Of
good laugh at the expense Of the teacher
when she should discover, as she would
the famous imam under the bed"
Mr.. Clipper was not very clear as t.
what this plan would accomplish IL
wanted it to produce, in some way
laugh against the object of his spite |
Miss Dana should be alarmed, we'll ant
good. IF he could scare Bitter, he woule
? take care that his fright should be known
He said to himself: "lf this plan works
all right, this rustic with sun burned hal
will hear Miss Dana's alarm, rush to he
rescue. be hoaxed, and never hear the las
Of it. Or be may be a coward, which wi
be the worse for him. Whatever bellttlei
Bitler aids me in having revenge LII
fun with purpose" !"
Everything being arranged, the con
spirators waited in the parlor for tn
explosion. They were full Of humor anc
scarcely able to repress their feeling Mrs
Kruller, however, was fdgety. He
imagination suddenly began TO de-
pict disasters as a result Of this plan, ono
she apprehended danger which Nigh
follow the discovery Of the supposed mar
By Miss Dana. Suppose the teacher
should drop down dead o. 60 crazy !
The more she thought Of these posslblll-
Ties the worse she felt, until at last, ne
LONGER able to endure her fears, she let
the room, skipped up the back stairs an'
withdrew the dummy. Meantime Bltle
arrived and was reading an evening
paper. Dot Krullers vas playing 81
accompaniment to Clippers singing
and Mrs. Kruller, returned, was smiling
over the trick she had prepared. w
Moraaunt, with his shuttle and cough
came in and proceeded direct to hl
room. Another person was heard to ente
aud 90 up the stairs, but nc attention va
paid 20 it. Then followed. Miss Dana
who poked her nose. into the paflor, N
onired If she was late for supper an
fastened away to prepare for the neal
/ 1,.,ss@ M