Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-01-18


victuals with kiss. There's no bones
broke.
John Pauls face rcddened, He
took off his coat and threw 1t on the
railings of tho lane fence,
Now said l'c, quietly, you'll
leave
when git good an ready an
swcrcd the other, insolcntly.
NO, sir-now.'
'IIa Ia suppose you spell able.
Do you sec thatT aud hc thrust his
fist under the nose of the younger
man.
1t was dashed aside suddenly, and
the right hand of John Paul fell with
full force between the eyes ofthc tramp
who fell, doubled in heap. lie was
up in IN instant, to 60 down again by
another iaccr Picking himself up, he
made rush with both arms extended
toward his apponcnt. II was impossi-
bic to parry this, and it was not at
tempted. Paul stepped suddenly aside,
and before his antagonist could recover
himself, caught him on the throat with
his right arm and suddenly bending
him over his own extended knee, threw
the great mass of flesh to the ground
with n force that made quite an audible
sound. The ruAian lay there for n
minute or so motioulcss.
Thee hasn't killed him. timidly |
inquired the girl.
NO, MISS said John Paul, 'but I've
given his backbone n jar that makes
him sick of fighting. Come sir, get
up he added, as the man began to
stir; pick yourself up and 60, or I'll
give you more of it and worse.
Pm goin, said the other, rising
slowly and rubbing his back-Pm
goin', boss. But you amt man
you're a steam-cnginc, you are.
As soon as the fellow had dragged
himself out of sight, John Paul took
his coat, and finding on inquiry that
the glrrs name was kacllel, So'. az.
the message of her aunt. He followed
her, at her request, to the house, where
he seated himself on the back vcranda,
while Rachel, coat in hand, disappear
ed to the kitchen.
In few minutes she came out.
There is thy coat, friend, as good as
new; it was only ripped in the seam,
not torn, and-Oh dear There is that
vexatious Crumple in the garden
again
Paul looked, and saw that COW had
got into an inclosure not meant tor
browsing ground, and volunteered to
get her out. 1t did not prove an easy
job, however; and by the time he had
managed to overcome her lodges and
mannuvrcs, and finally got the brute
safely into the barn-yard, he saw the
farmer and his wife drive in, and knew
from her manner that Rachel was tell
ing them all about the fight. AS he
came forward to reclaim his mended
coat, Mahlon Stacy met him with a
beaming countenance.
'Thee has placed me under obligation
again, friend Paul, he said. Il hear
thee was obliged to resort to force. 1t
is against the principles Of Friends, but
since thee had to do it, I'm glad to
learn thee did it well. A big man, too,
for | think the one we met with blood
on his face was the one thee dealt
with
There was no trouble in handling
him, sir. The matter is not worth
speaking Of. am only too glad to
have been of service to the young lady
With these works he moved off. ~
Stay friend cried the farmer. 'If
thee won't have compensation for thy
service, the'll at least grant us another
favor and take supper with us
The young man hcsitated, but glanc-
ing at the woman, said: IL am not
in fit condition for the table; L
IF that's all, eagerly rejoined NAH
lon, I'VE can arrange that Come
with me- And the young man was
speedily ushered into q chamber, where
his host gave him shaving materials,
and left him, to hear more definite
particulars about the encounter, in
which, like many other men of peace
full habits, he took deep interest. !
At the supper table, John Paul, in
evading minute inquiry, let them know
that he lived in New York when at
home, and gave them some account Of
the metropolis, of which they had heard
but never seen, and did it in a plain