Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-03-17

49,
1t was impossible to parry this, and it was
not attempted. Paul stepped suddenly
aside. and before he could recover himself,
caught him on the throat with his right
arm, and suddenly bending him over his
extended knee, threw the great mass Of
flesh to the ground with force that made
quite an audible sound. The ruffian lay
! there minute or so motionless.
"Thee hasn't killed him." timidly in
quired the girl.
mo. MISS said John Paul, shut have
given his backbone 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.'
"I'm goin'," said the other, rising slow
| ly, and rubbing his back-I'm goin',
boss. But say. you amt a man; you're
steam engine, you are.''
AS soon as the fellow had dragged him
self out of sight, John Paul took his coat,
and finding on inquiry that the girls name
was Rachel, give her the message of her
aunt. He followed her, at her request, to
the house, where he seated himself on the
back veranda. while Rachel, coat in hand,
disappeared in 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, dearl There is that vexatious Crum-
pie in tho garden again!"
Paul looked. and saw that COW had got
into an Enclosure not meant for browsing
ground, and volunteered to get her OUT
It did not rove an easy job, however; and
| by the time he had managed to overcome
her lodges and maneuvres, 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 telling
them all about the fight. AS he came for.
ward to reclaim his mended coat, Mahlon
Stacy met him with beaming counte-
nance.
"Thee has placed me under obligation
again. friend Paul." he said. Il hear Jhee
was obliged to resort to force. 1t is against
tina principles of Friends, but since thee
had to do it, Pm glad to learn thee did it
we'll A big man. too, for think the one
we met with blood on his face was the
one thee dealt wlth.''
"There was no trouble in handling him,
| sir. The matter is not worth speaking of.
l am only too glad.to have been of service
to the young lady.' With these words
| he moved off.
"Stay, FRIEND" cried the farmer. eff
thee won't have compensation for thy ser.
vice, thee1l at least grant us another ia
vor, and take supper with u.s."
The young man hesltated, but glancing
at the young woman, said. eli am not in
a fit condition for the table; L"
eff that's ALL eagerly rejoined Mahlon,
I'VE can arrange that. Come with me.''
And the young man was speedily ushered
into chamber, where his host gave him
shaving materials, and left him, to hear
more definite particulars about the en-
counter, in which, like many men of
peaceful habits, he took deep interest.
At the supper table, John Paul. in evad-
ing minute inquiry, let them know that
| he lived in New Y ork when at home, and
gave them some account of the metropolis
Of which they had heard but never seen, and
did it in plain and lucid way that showed
he kept his eyes open during his tramp.
ing.
After supper Mahlon Stacy and John
Paul sat on the veranda while the women
folks were clearing the table, and the far
mer, after two or three preliminary hens,
spoke his mind.
"Thee was looking for work. perhaps.
friend?"
mo, can't say thai was.'
"Thee would take job If thee could
get one, maybe2"
"That depends on what it ISL
s'Can thee mow?"
! "Well, sir, it is new business for me;
| but I'll do the best can for you till you
can do better; and as for the wages we'll
| not differ on that
"Thsn thesll stay here, and we'll tackle
the south field Tomorrow exclaimed the
farmer, ioyously. Naomi. theell get a
room ready for friend Paul. He's going
to help with the hay"
So John took service with Mahlon Sta
cy, or, as he put it to himself that night.
''I'm hired to Rachel" and he laughed at
the same time as though it were the fun
NEST thin possible.
T he hay-making was over in three days
but John, as they called him now, remain
ed. He evidently knew very little about
farming, but took teaching kindly. HI
developed a great knowledge Of horses.
their needs and wants, and altogether
Mahlon was satisfied with his raw hand.
Tn fourth day it rained so that outdoor
work was stopped. The farmer and John
downcast mood. John watched Rachel's
motions for time, as she moved about
gracefully, and then took book which lay
upon shelf and began reading.
On Saturday, John got two hours leave
of absence, and returned with a bundle,
which no carried to his room. The next
day he came down to breakfast in q new
light suit. Mahlon made no comments.
but after breakfast asked John if he would
90 with them to Friends meeuing or to
some other place Of worship, or would stay
at home. I'VE 60 to meeting, of course;
but Rachel's father was Episcopal, and
Rachel goes there. Then there's the
Methodsts and Presbyterians."
81 shall go to the Episcopal church"
said John.
s.Ah! Well, we drop Rachel at the cross
road always, and thee can get out there. -
So John walked from the getting out
place to the church, which was mission
ary chapel, where the rector of an adjoin-
ing parish gave service every alternate
Sunday. There were few attendants, and
| e A.ao lonl mo N