New Ulm weekly review., 1881-01-05

I've gained tho hope that when at last
to the grave so gladly down,
MY 1Alth and trust will bear me up
10 gam bright, Immortal crown.
"a Septltaicndrl1n, IN N. 7. Post,
->~
LEN PEEK'S WAGER.
Henderson was farmer on q small
scale, residing short distance from the
mill-pond on the north side. How he
obtained the title of Doctor will be told
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
boasted was very large, savage dog
q cross of the cur and bull. One day at
the mill, where Len Peek. himself, and
others were assembled, he wound up q
discourse on this dog by saying that
there wasn't a 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 man of very few
words, and those were usually uttered
in low tones. Henderson," said he,
almost in whisper, II can 90 thar
without thing in my hand, and run him
out O. yer yard"
Everybody but Henderson laughed,
and he was djsgusted.
"You?-youp-Len Peekp"
Eyes, me, Len Peek. can 20 thar
without a thing in my hand, and run
him out O. yer yaard. And III bet you
a 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.
"Woll, I'll lag you dollar. If do
what l say, you give me dollar with
out bettin', and likewise, also, 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.
LIENS got you there, Henderson" !"
said Jim Hart. "You can't get around
that.
20, I admit it, boys" said Hender-
son. &C. see the difference, but don't
want to see the poor creeter hurt. !
wouldn't see that, and at my own house,
fllr dollar"
80, 1 see, I see." And Len turned
away in disgust and tho company
laughed yet louder.
"See what, you weazened- See
what?''
,"That you're 'fraid-' -'fraid for yer
dollar or 'fraid for yer dorg and 1 don
know Which: But ct [ was in your
place would never say anything about
that thar dorg any more; that is, right
round and about here, in this here nei igh.
borhood."
-, 49, ;, WE'LL if you want to git eat
That's adzactly what I'm arfter,''
SAID Len, "or-that thar dollar O. yourn;
and ef ! am to be eat up by dorg, and
Specially your dorg, Henderson, it's
time it was done. But never YOU
mind"
This was too much. The bet was
made, though, ia respect to Hender.
sons scruples, it was called lav in.
stead of q bet. Poor Len had to borrow
a quarter here and a aseren-pence there
The money was deposited with jim
Hart and the trial was to take place al
any time within a fortnigLt.
Two lays afterward DR.. Henderson
was sitting, about an hour afte. dinner
in his front piazza, and alternatelSread
ing and browsing. The house was for
ty or fifty PAGES from the gate. Sudden
~, hearing q smothered cough, h
looked up and Saw Len Peek standin.
before him.
"Why, hello, Len! that youP Yo,
liked to q skeered me. How did yo,
git inp''
4 sat the gate.''
How long have you been heref''
About two minutes and three-uuar
ters.'' >'''-
"Good gracious! long as thatp"
"lt mout not a been more'n two min
utes and a half, but I'd swar it's beer
over two and not beyont three.''
" How did you get in, did you say,
AT the gate. How do you suppose
Il G1uld %% a. "a got in in providin' didn't git
4" 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 verv low
tones, "in none O. them places. but
right plum through your gate"
E" | wonder whar Tlge isp''
4" He's out yonder a-layin' down on
the grass by the kitchen door. I've
come for my dollar Henderson. I come
Yesterday, but come too soon.'
g You here yisterday?''
:" Yes; not adzactly here-that is. in
the house but Twas a-prowlin' around
and seed that yer dorg were hungry
and he were restless. Considerin' what
good geard he is, Henderson. vo,
ought to iced that dorg better and Give
him his dinner sooner. looked at hin,
and seed it warn't the right time. and
I left.'' >
Did he see you?''
Not As l knows Of"
You may thank your stars for that,
Len" 1870
"Bette er for you and him to be a-thank-
In o. yer stars, providin' you and hem
hev got any stars to be a-thankin'.''
Look here, Len, come now. don't
be foo that is, don't be brash. I'm
thankful that Tige didn't see you when
you come Yesterday nor to-day. If he
had, you wouldn't'a wanted dollar
soon, except it mout be to help pay the
doctor. II any of you had a-been left.
Set down, Len, and let me talk with YOU
awhile.''
" Look here, Henderson, promised
Jimmy Sharpa pan of suckers for break
fast, and I've got to catch 'em tonight.
You're a mighty interestin' talker, but
/ hain't the time now to listen to YOU.
If you say, go to Jim Hart and git the
two dollars, and you willin' to be
laughed at and talked about at the mill,
all right"