The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-03-06
Law Versus Love.


the name-and sympathy for the condi-
ton. He was well-to-do in the world, if
owning fine farm and being plaintiff in
law suit is any criterion Aside from
Mr.. Popkins' misfortune In being bach
elor, he had one fault-a general aver
sien to female society, particular aver
sion to Miss Sallie Hopkins, the defend
ant in the above named law suit.
Now, be it known that, though Miss
Sallie's name was put down on the list of
o. Ms. (old maids), she was the round
est, cosiest, most dimple-cheeked spin
ster that ever lived in Lincoln. She had
the softest brown eyes, with trick of
lashes, perfectly bewildering, and her
hair waved and shone in such manner
that susceptible lady like you and me
would have felt an irresistible desire to
have sole ownership of the 'snut brown
locks
But, however fascinating Miss Sallie
was to the sex in general, as have said,
between her and Mr.. Popkins there was
o deadly feud, and the cause of all the
trouble was meadow, spreading far and
wide and unconscious, between Miss Sal
lies and Mr.. Popkins' farms. Now the
truth of the matter was this: The
meadow Justly belonged to Mr.. Popkins,
but instead of going to Miss Sallie and
frankly stating the case, he must serve a
process of law. Miss Sallie few all to
pieces, and declared that she would
maintain her rights at any cost. From
the manner in which it ended, one could
see that had Mr.. Pepkins gone to her
himself, she would have relinqnished it
gracefully, but woman has a mortal
terror of being forced to do anything.
Tie a string around her neck, feed her
with sugar plums, and you can lead her
to the jumping-of place, but to go to
drive her, and for obstinacy she will
beat Mark Twain's mule all to pieces.
| When Miss Sallie met Mr.. Popkins on
| the street her nose was decidedly "re-
| trousse," and Mr.. Popkins looked like
an automaton Cardiff. The neighbors
were forced to take part in this case, for
when invitations were issued for the reg
ular tea parties, those who invited Mr..
| Popkins were obliged to omit Miss Sal
| lie, and vice versa. In the meantime the
law suit dragged its slow length along
| from session to session, from term to
term, until it was as familiar as A. B. G..
! But fate had taken in hand the destiny
| of these two obstinate individuals, and
soon brought matters to most satisfac-
tory conclusion, though the unconscious
mediator was rather burlesque on the
high tragedy daily enacted.
There lived close to these belligerents
q good natured old man, nearly as deaf
as post, who had the greatest faculty
| for laundering on unfortunate facts of
any individual known either in ancient
or modern history. He never heard any
thing correctly, and it was an utter i'm
possibility to try to explain, and if you
attempt it you wonld find yourself fioun-
dering in perfect slough of despair.
Miss Sallie and Mr.. Popkins had re-
ceived notice that their case would come
up for final hearing, in Harrow, on Tues.
day of the next week. Miss Sallie con.
cluded to take the stage; Uncle Ben
Dropper, our deaf friend, had business q
little distance ON the road, and he would
take the stage too, and Mr.. Popkins
saddle horse fell sick just as he was
needed, and there being no time fol
other arrangements, he must take the
same conveyance.
Miss Sallie came floating down to the
gate with white ribbons and bows, ant
dainty dress, sufficient to bewilder ;
man with as stony heart as the sphinx
and saw approaching from the opposite
side her foe, in immaculate broad-clotl
and shirt front. For moment the colol
rushed to her cheeks, and she half re
solved to go back, but to be out-done by
man, and he Popkins. was not to bt
thought of, so she stepped into ths
coach with an air of sixteen Queen Vic
torias, eleyating her head until it made
an acute angle with her nose, and be
came sublimely unconscious of any one'l
presence. Mr.. Popkins seated himself
as though he had swallowed whole
foundry, and had his pockets full O
eggs for dessert. Just then came Unclt
Ben, putting and blowing, utterly un
conscious of the oaths of the impatien
Jehu
sGood morning, Miss Sally" said lie
carefully seating himself beside her.
"Good morning, Mr.. Popkins. Wher
! might you be going, and what for ?"
ITO Harrow" said Mr.. Popkins, il
his most polite manner, answering tn
first question and ignoring the last.
"DO tellp' and the round face fairl,
beamed with placid surprise. "Goinl
to marry? Well, I told Hester last nigh
that was the best way to settle the suit
after all. There amt no more capabl
girl anywhere than Sallie, and I'm gla.
you found it out And Mr.. Popkins i
wonderful clever" turning to Sallie
, land instead of there being two farm
! and lawsuit, there need be only one
: Law bless meF' rubbing his hands wit
i. increase satisfaction, ''if it amt o tip
! top arrangement
: Mr.. Popkins clutched at his throat q
: if he we're choking to death, and mad
. spasmodic efforts to utter word of ez
PLANTATION, but his tongue was utterl
! palsied, and failed him in the emel
! geney Miss Sallie, with her face tn
, deepest rose color, placed her hand t
her mouth, and shouted so as to starti
: the horses
aI am going to see Mr.. Stiles on bui
! inessr'
oh. day of blundersl Mr.. Stiles wa
/ her lawyer, but the unfortunate girl wa
: unaware that a Presbyterian ministe
+ had the same delightful cognomen.
3 .sMr. Stiles" said our friend, well,
q have heard him well spoken of; but
d never expected you, Sallie, Baptist, I
}. be married by any one but minister {
y your own church. But suppose 20
8 gave way to Mr.. Popkins, and it show
y downright good disposition"
= MISS same gave up III ucspait, al
!. looked fixedly ont of the window, Will
Mr.. Popkins' lips moved occasionally, 4
though he were asking for water. B,
: the unconscious cause of the turmoil s.
serene and happy, indulging in an O
: casional chuckle and knowing glance
3 Mr.. Popkins; but at this mcmept he SO
n he had arrived at his destination, an,
h wishing his victims much happiness, |
!. left them to their thoughts.
= The human heart is strange affai
Is to say the least of it. Had any one q
Is vised Mr.. Popkins to marry Sallie,
s. would have rejected the idea immei
le ately, and she herself would have taks
le it as an insult; but the totally une
q pected manner in which the matter hi
u been brought up, made altogether d
70 ferent affair of it. He stole glance
"a Miss Sallie. Her face was turned ava
and she was apparently studying natul
She was pretty, Mr.. Popkins couldl
!, deny that. What if-if-and his hes
=. gave tremendous bound. What fo
er he had been all this timel He must {
ID at any rate, and risk repulse. So. vii
or out any more hesitation, for our be
III was brave, he took Uncle Ben's seat q
= aoid nrxsoffvs