The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-06-08

sheep-they ran away as soon as they
saw Isaac. Yes, certainly, there we're
sheep" said Miss Letitia.
81 knew it-they always go with the
cows; and what of me"
"It's to fix damages" said Miss Lett
tia. GAS said before, women folks are
no judges about such matters"
Mr.. Babcock meditated moment and
then said:
"Well I wouldn't take cent less than
seventy-fve dollars, if were you-not1
q cent"
"Seventy-ive dollars! Isn't that q
great deal, Mr.. Babcock2 You know Il
don't wish to be hard on the old man 4
all want is fair compensation for the
mischief done." asss|
"Seventy-five dollars is fair ma'ssn
in fact might say it's low. 4 wouldn't
have had herd of cattle and sheep
tramping through my premises in thst
way. for hundred"
"There's one thing 1 forgot TO state;
the orchard gate was open or they could
not have got in; that may make differ
ence."
.Not a bit-not a bit. You'd a right
to have your gate open, but Small's cows
had no right to run loose. hope Isaac
drove them to the pound, didn't he2"
II heard him say he'd shut 'em up
somewhere. and didn't mean to let 'em
out till the owner called for 'em. But,
Mr.. Babcock, what il he should refuse to
pay for the damages2 ! should hate to
60 to Law. about it."
"He won't refuse if he does, keep the
critters till he will pay. As to law, l
guess he's bad about enough Of that
"l'm sure / thank you for your advice
said Miss Letitia, sand l mean to act
upon il to the very letter"
Scarcely was he out OF sight when
Miss Letitia sent o summons for Mr..
Small, which he obeyed as promptly as
bis neighbor had done.
She made to him precisely the same
statement she had made to Mr.. Babcock,
showed him the injured property, and
asked him to fix the damages. 1t was
remarkable before he did this that be
should ask the same question Mr.. Bah
cock had asked, namely: whether she
had any suspicion to whom the animals
belonged.
"Well, one Of them observed had a
terribly crooked horn."q
"Precisely-it's Babcocks heifer; /
should know her among thousand. She
was black and white, wasn't she p
"Well, now think of it, she was one
seldom sees so clear black and white
ON cow"
ITO be sure they're Babcock's animals
fast enough. Well, let me see; what you
want is just q fair estimate, suppose ?"
Certainly"
"Well, should say ninety dollars was
as low IS he ought to be allowed to get
of with"
"Oh, but / fear that will seem as il
meant to take advantage. Suppose We
call it--say seven,y-ive }"
"Just as you please, of course; but
hanged il I'd let him off for cent less
than hundred if it we're nv case"
Sand If he refuses to pay?"
"Why, keep the animals till he comes
around; that's ALL"
"But there's one thing I neglected to
mention-our gate was standing open,
that may alter the case"
"Not at all; there's no law against
keeping your gate open; there is against
stray snimals.' 80
"vefy well; thank you for your ad
VICE. said Miss Leti,ia; and Mr.. Small
departed With as smiling countenance
as Mr.. Rabcock had worn.
But at milking-time that night he made
q strange discovery-old brindle was
missing! At about the same hour Mr..
Bsbcock made a similar discovery; the
black and white heifer was nowhere to
be found A horrible suspicion seized
them both-a suspicion they would not
have made known to each other for the
world. So, ss,..
They waited till it was dark, and then
Mr.. Babcoek, stole around to Miss Lett
'tia's and meekly asked leave to look at
the animals which had committed the
trespassa He. weuld have done it with
put leave, only that thrifty Miss Leti,ia
always shut ber barn doors at night.
While be stood looking over into the
pens where the cows. were confined, and
trying to negotiate with Miss Letitia for
the release of the heifer, along came. Mr..
Small in quest of his brindles The two
men stared at each other in blank dis
may, then hung their heads in confu-
sion.
1t was useless to assert that the DANA.
ges we're too high, for had they not fixed
them themselvesp 1t was useless to
plead that Miss Letitia was in a manner
responsible for what had happened, on
account of the open gate, for had they
not assured her that that circumstance
did not alter the casep 1t was useless to
say she had no right to keep the cows in
custody, for had they not counseled her
to do so7 As to going to law about it,
would they not become the sport of the
whole town. n Io' &
/ "He that diggeth a pit. he himself
shall fall into it," said Miss Letitia, who
read what was passing 10 their minds as
well as if they had spoken, for the ligh'
of Isaac's lantern fell full on their faces
However, on ono condition l will free
the cows. and forgive the debt"
"What is that9' Both thought the
question, but did not ask it. r
"The condition is that you promise tc
put good new fence in'place of the ole
one that separates your estates, dividing
the cost between you, and that hencefortt
you will live together peacefully, go fal
as in you lies. Do you promise ?" s
"Yes,' muttered both in voice scarce
Ty audible. Si'. iei@
sShake hands upon t,then," said Mis-
Letitia. - ,s,'ae.s "1H a
They did so. ''na 7o'. is,s~e
"Now let the COWS out Isaac; it's tim
they we're milked," said she. And TIL
1.-TWO men went away driving their co vi
before them, and with shame-faced air
greatly in contrast to the look of tri
umph with which they had before quitte'
Iher presence.
j The fence was built and the strif
ceased when the cause was removed bu
1T was long before Miss Letitia's part il
the sffair came to the public ear; for sh
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