The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-10-28
LEN PEEK's WAGER.

hereafter. This was before he had be-
come a divine. A great talker was he
the greatest in the neighborhood.
Among other possessions of which he
boosted was very large, savage dog
a cross of the cur and bull. One day at
the mill. where Len Peek, himself, and
Others were assembled, he wound up a
discourse on this dog by saying that
there wasn't man on top of the ground
who could dare to come into his house
day or night without arms or other pro-
lection. Len was a man of very few
words, and those were usually uttered
in low tones. Henderson," said he,
almost in whisper, Il can 90 thar
without thing in my hand, and run him
out o yer yard
Everybody but Henderson laughed,
and he was disguised.
"YouP-you?-Len Peek?"
"Yes, me, Len Peek. l can go thar
without thing in my hand, and run
him out o yer yard. And I'll bet you
dollar on it.
Henderson's disgust seemed to hinder
any words from his mouth, and the
laugh was redoubled. "You know /
don't bet, Len" For he was even then
somewhat anticipating and preparing in
his mind for the ministry.
"Wen, I'll lag you dollar. If l do
what L say, you give me dollar with
out bettin', and likewise, also, l the
same will give you dollar if don't"
And he shifted his tobacco from his
Jaw and chewed it rapidly between his
front teeth. as if he felt that he had
Henderson where he wanted him.
LENS got you there, Henderson,"
said Jim Hart. "You can't get around
that"
80, admit it, boys" said Hender-
son. 81 see the difference, but dom t
want to see the poor creeter hurt. L
wouldn't see that, and atmy own house,
far dollar"
80, [ see, 1 see." And Len turned
away in disgust and the company
laughed yet louder.
''See what, you weazened- See
what?''
THAT you're 'fraid-'fraid for yer
dollar or 'fraid for yer dorg and l dom
know which. But eff 1 was in your
place l would never say anything about
that thar dorg any more; that is, right
round and about here, in this here neigh
borhood."
40, well, if you want to git eat
up"
That's adzactly what I'm arfter,"
said Len. ''or-that thar dollar o. yourn;
and eff / am to be eat up by dorg, and
specially your dorg, Henderson, it's
time it was done. But never you
mind"
rDL; 80 TO ,,,,,ob Tbo hot ,,,o,
made, though, in respect to Hender-
sons scruples, it was called lag in
stead of bet. Poor Len had to borrow
a quarter here and seven-pence there.
The money was deposited with Jim
Hart and the trial was TO take place at
any time within fortnight
Two DAYS afterward Dr. Henderson
was sitting, about an hour after dinner,
in his front piazza, and alternately read
inc and browsing. The house was for
ty or fifty PAGES from the gate. Sudden
", hearing a smothered cough, he
looked up and Saw Len Peek standing
before him.
"Why, hello, Lenl that you? You
liked to "a skeered me. How did you
git inP''
"At the gate"
"How long have YOU been here?n
about two minutes and three-quar-
tiers"
Good gracious! long as thatP''
alt mOut not a been more n two min
utes and half, but I'd swar it's been
over two and not beyont three"
How did you get in, did you say,
LenP''
AT the gate How do you suppose
l could "a got in providin' didn't git
in by the gate?'
II thought maybe" and Hender-
son looked up at the ceiling and back
through the door leading into the house
and around generally.
No. SIR" said Len, in very low
tones. "in none o. them places, but
right plum through your gate"
- wonder whar TIge is?''
He's out yonder a-layin' down on
the grass by the kitchen door. I've
come for my dollar Henderson. come
Yesterday, but come too soon"
You here yisterday?"
Yes; not adzactly here-that is, in
the house-but was a-prowlin' around
and seed that yer dorg were hungry
ana ne NOtO IT'S lCSS. OOnSluGllA nhRD
a good geard he is, Henderson, you
ought to feed that dorg better and give
him his dinner sooner. l looked athim
and seed it warn't the right time, and
/ left"
Did he see you?'
=. Not as l knows of. F"
You may thank your stars for that,
Len"
Betterforyo you and him to be a-thank-
in O yer stars, providin' you and hen
hev got any stars to be a-thankin'."
Look here, Len, come now, don't
be foo-that is, don't be brash. Pm
thankful that Tige didn't see you when
you come Yesterday nor to-day. If he
had. you wouldn't a wanted. o. dollar
soon, except it mout be to help pay the
doctor. if any of you had a-been left.
SetdOwn, Len, and let me talk with you
awhile"
Z" Look here, Henderson, promised
Jimmy Sharpa pan of suckers for break
fast, and I've got to catch 'em tonight.
You're mighty interestin' talker, but
I hain't the time now to listen to you.