The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-04-07

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, aad soon
brought matters to most salts
factory conclusion, though the un-
conscious mediator was rather a
burlesque on the higher tragedy
daily enacted.
There lived CLOSE to these bel
ligerents good-natured old man,
nearly as deaf as post: who had
the greatest faculty for blunder-
ing on unfortunate facts Of any
Individual known either in ancient
or modern history.
He never heard anything cor
rectly, and it was an utter im-
possibility to try to explain, and
if you attempted it you would
find yourself foundering ir a per-
feet slough of despair.
Miss Sallie and Mr.. Popkins had
received notice that their case
would come up for final hearing
in Harrow on Tuesday of next
week. Miss Sallie concluded to
take the stage ; Uncle Ben Drop,
per, our deaf friend, had business
little distance on the road, and
he would take the stage, too
Mr.. Popkins' saddle horse fell
sick just as he was needed, and
there being no time for other ar
rangements, be must take the
same conveyance.
Miss SalJie came floating down
to the gate with white ribbons
and bows and dainty dress sufi'
c;ent to bewilder q man with as
stony Il heart as the sphinx, and
saw approaching from the oppo-
site side her foe, in immaculate
broadcloth and shirt front. For a
moment the color rushed to her
cheeks and she half resolved to
90 back, but to be outdone by a
man, and be a Popkins was not
to be thought of ; SO she stepped
into the coach with an air Of SIX
teen Queen Victorias, ele7atlng
her head until it made an acute
angle with her nose, and became
sublimely unconscious of any ones
presence. Mr.. Popkins seated him
sell as though he had swallowed a
whole foundry, and had bis pock-
cts tull Of eggs fer a dessert. Just
then came Uncle Ben, putting and
blowing, utterly unconscious OF
the oaths ofthe i'm patient Jehu.
Good morning, Miss Sallie,'
said he, carefully seating himself
beside her. Good morning, Mr.
Popkins. Where might you be
going, and what for?'
To Harrow said Mr.. Popkins:
in his most polite manner, an
swering the first question and lg-
noring the last.
.Du tell!' and the round face
fairly beamed with placid surprise.
Going to marry? Well l told
Hester last night that that was the
suit after all. There amt no
more capable girl anywhere than
Sallie, and ! am glad you found 1t
out. And Mr.. Popkins is wonder
full clever turning to Sallie, and,
instead of there being two farms
and a lawsuit, there need be only
one. Law, bless mel rubbing his
bands with increased satisfaction,
if it amt a tip.top arrangement! !
Mr.. Popkins clatched at his
throat, as though be was choking
to death, and made spasmodic
efforts to utter a word of expla'
nation, but his tongue was utter
tly palsied and failed him in this
emergency. Miss Sallie, with a
face of the deepest rose color,
placed her hand to her mouth,
and shouted so as to startle the
horses:
Il am going to see Mr.. Stiles on
business
: Oh, day Of blunders Mr.. StlIe;
was her Ia~ye but the ntortu
nate girl was unaware tha'
Presbyterian minister had the
same dignifed cognomen.
Mr.. Stiles said our TREND
well, I've heard him well spoker
of, but l never expected you
SaIlie, a Baptist, to be married oJ
ary one but a minister OF your
own church ; but | suppose yo'
gave way TO Mr.. Popkins, and i