Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-08-27

nm say olECr HlSHG JudG nc cOulu run
his stage an make Twin out of pas
sengers an sich, an they could get
somebody else to carry their consumed
old mail"
"You didn't" said the Judge, with
an accent of unbelief.
"Yes, did, persisted Uncle Cephas.
"Wal! wal said the solemn Deacon,
whose words were few but weighty.
81 didn't think Seth was such q -.
fool"
"Jest So" said Grandpa Billins,
placidly. He never swore himself; but
he felt, perhaps, that the eternal fitness
of things demanded strong language
from somebody, for he patted his cane
softly, and repeated: 81 say jest so to
that, Deacon, every time. But who'll
carry the mail?"
"Dunno," said Uncle Cephas, the re-
CARDS of the whole company forcing out
the Notifying confession. 81 heard
Seth say that; but hain't heard no
more"
But Uncle Cephas, as well as the rest
of the village, knew before the month of
December was out that Uncle Sam had
absolutely refused to raise Seth Punk
ett's salary; also that another stage was
about to be put on the road, which
would convey the United States mails
and also carry passengers.
Cant neither on 'em pay" said the
Judge, in the silence which followed
this announcement, when first made by
Banty at the Post-oilice. "Neither on
'em won't pay; but the teller that takes
the mail will get the best ont, fur he's
got sunthin', sure. An Seth's got his
team to keep, an all that. Mark my
words, boys, Seth'll have to 60 to the
wall"
1t was afterward recalled that at this
point Pelt Cressy looked uncommonly
sober. The fact was that Pelt was one
of the best drivers in the section, and
had Just had offered him by an
influential friend of his in q neighboring
town-who, however, knew nothing of
the internal complications of Pelt's af-
fairs-the chance to run the new stage
between Selborn and Clearpond.
Pelt was trying hard to get money
enough together to marry Hettie Punk
EFT. He had pair of horses, which he
had raised from colts, and he had been
cleaning it, for a year back; but what
he could make in that way was very
little, compared with the profits Of the
stage.
eth make Seth mad, o. COURSE" he
reasoned, as he walked toward the
Post-onice, the evening after the fore
going conversation; "but," straighten-
ing up defantly, "he can team it. He's
got better chance than have. Some
body's got to take the mail. 1t might
as well be ne. I'll go right over and
see Hettie about it now," he continued,
turning toward Seth Plunkett's cottage.
cts got to be settled tonight, and she
can settle it,"
Hettie was doubtful and finally tear
full; but she was at last persuaded by
her lover that Seth, finding it impossi-
bic to compete with 'the Government
would soon retire, more or less good
naturally, feeling that the gain was
coming to the family anyhow, and that
he would make almost as good living
at teaming.
"Well," said the yielding girl, al
last, wishing sadly that her dead moth
er was near to counsel her, ''you decide
it, Pelt; and, if you take the stage, ant
father is angry and won't let you come
here, we'll love each other just the
same.n
During the second week in January
grand sensation shook Clearpond to it!
foundations. Pelt Cressy's horses were
to draw the new stage, and Pelt himself
was to drive them.
The first night after the new move
ment was inaugurated Seth Plunkett
coach reached the Post-otlice first. II,
stopped and settled with Bantyfor somt
triling crrands which he had done a
Selborn, but his dark looks and irritate(
manner showed that he was in a savag
mood. The mail was what they wer
waiting for there, and the one whit
Brought it was the man of the hour
Seth Plunkett felt that he was dis
crowned and dishonored, and before h
went to bed that night he made solemn
VOW that Pelt Greasy should never hay
his daughter.
Giles a scoundrel!" said Seth Plum
kett, between his set teeth. "IIe's use
me mean, and I'll have none of him!
This feeling grew day by day, as tn
stages passed each other on the road 0
paused at the Halfway House together
Then the feud began to extend. Tn
ladies who went to Selborn to shop rod
with the one whose cause they happene
to espouse; and, as Seth, though by n
means a protesting Christian, nominall
attended the Methodist Church, Will
Pelt's family were Baptists, the line
between the two congregations marke
pretty definitely the limits of the faC
tons.
: Grandma Billin's stopped visitin
Mrs. Perkins ("the Deacon's" wife, ,bC
cause the latter had ridden up the rive
with "that sassy Pelt Cressy'; tn
Judge was no longer on speaking term
with Banty; even the ministers wivC
, ceased exchanging friendly courtesies
The village of Clearpond was quite 6
. skies and sevens.
About this time lay preacher d.
scended upon the place, and the Metl
odists were soon in the midst of q pow
erful revival. The Baptists held off fc
5 q while; but soon the ice began to thav
and by fortnight after the first "uno
+ meeting" the two congregations had S
| far forgotten their differences that the
could worship together fervontly an
t ignore the strife in their midst. Eve
l the rival stage.drivers hurried the
: horses, so that they, too, could atten
5 the meetings.