The Delaware ledger., 1883-09-01

hOOsI. III ChnlB Wdiltu ny bho BchbiS
South wind, and went from car to ear
until the whole settlement was fully
awakened and aroused. Tho tolling bell
resembled in sound the Sabbath day in
yitation, which oft echos forth from the
Blue Stocking belfry of that straight and
narrow path tabernacle at Elkton. Mrs.
Psaniel was almost convinced that the
Sabbath had really come. She rushed
madIy from window to window ondeav-
oring in her haste to regulate her ear to
the sound. "Jeovania," said she, that's
the Presbyterian Church bell in Elkton,
and, sir, it means monday devotion and
prayer" to which replied, ''Supplicate."
Aud as turned to depart from her pres
ence, behed her in the act of descend
ing to that solicitous attitude.
Out upon the streets Of Sparrow Roost
| found q great crowd, all hurrying to-
ward the high eminence upon which
stands the 'IIotel Opedeldock." 1t was
the expressed opinion Of Squire McCart
that n terrible confagration was raging
at Elkion, for, said he, 81 would not be
surprised at any time to hear that the
pig-stys and slaughter shops OF that town
had exploded" as at this season of the
year il is almost impossible to keep the
pressure of these institutions under con-
irol Others more athlete climbed the
staid old Democratic hickory TO witness
the heroic efforts of the department of
fire battle with the consuming element.
but the floating emblem of Reform and
Protection to the industries Of Sparrow
Roost so impeded the view that they
were obliged to descend, and rush was
subsequently made to the balcony OF
"HOtel OpedeldOck."
Others said the tolling bel preceded
the coming procession of the political
funeral of great statesman-a dead Sen
ator of the United States. Others sug-
gested that it might be the opening cere-
monies Of a darkey school; while many
thought it n symbol for great rejoicing
because of the return of the Prodigal,
who but recently was heard to cry like
one in wilderness,
"Oh. JEFF, genial, joyial JEFF;
No matter friends, why got left
Pull off your coats for Joyial JEFF"
Mothers, whose loving daughters had
gone to The Elkton market with clover
butter and large pieces of smoked swine
stomach, commonly called "flitch;' wives
who had faithful husbands dripping with
human grease in the cranberry bog of
Edermarsh, and fathers who had sons
assisting in the manufacture OF the far
famed ''Sure Growth" all rushed hither
and ihither; aud in this hour Of darkness
and mystery the hearts and souls of Spar
row Roost could not be comforted, save
that OF Mrs. Psaniel.
A meeting of the citizens WAS hurriedly
called, and it was at once moved, second
ell and led that JeOvania Q. Psaniel pro-
ceed as quickly as the agile feet of his
walking corn-erib would carry him to the
town Of Elkton. and inquire as to the
mysterious tolling of this bell ut MONDAY.
Immediately upon my arrival al Elkton
learned that the Republican party were
in the act of assembling in party love
feast and conference. Stalwarts, Half
| Breeds and "Featherheads" were there
in pcolific abundance. The white and
not so white; the black and not so black
The Ring-streaked, striped and speckled
were all there in countless numbers. The
banker, the broker, the badger. and the
heroes of shot and SHE'LL with G. A, X.
(Great American Reform) on .heir hats,
were there. The puffed up, bloated and
stern-wheel Custom House officials were
there. The gray-haired veirdns of by
gone Democracy were there Chose mean
who Jumped the barbed wire of 1861 with
more dexterity ih,tu could an uncultiyated
American billy goaO. From the Quaker
regions of the roaring OctorarO to bill
of-sale region of Sir Woodall on the Sas-
safras, came the unwashed multitude Of
sin to the Siloam pool of Elkton.
The wall surrounding the holy altar OF
reconciliation was about to be scaled by
the Stalwart John Andrew "a Stalwart,
by the way for whom all men have great
admiration), but ere he had finished his
first stride in that direction, Half Breed
Billie rushed forth from the mre am, E,
rearing on his hind feet, gave character
istic snort and then attempted The feat of
eating the paper which John held in his
bountilul hand. 1t was quite evident
that he intended to butt the Slalwnrt
John onto the wall then butt him off.
The capers Of this Billie were indeed
quite amusing, so proud was he to beat
in the presence of John Andrew, that a
stranger would have guessed him year
ling mamie instead Of an old Billie. A
remark was made by long, lean, lauk
fellow from the Sixth, that Miss Billie
must have been ont in the dew" The
Stulwart Robert was seen to gather his
mantle about him and arise. In II second
silence reigl ell supreme. So silent, iu-
deed, was this vast audicuc" that the
sighing and breathing OF Clerks Bowen
and Rosscll, IN the lIole-in-the wall,
could be,distinctly heard. Robert opened
his mouth, and taught them, saying
many things which pierced the Half
breeds to The heart and made the Stall
wart soul rejoice. When Robert had fin
ished his Grafton, the Stalwart pulse beat
high and fast, aud tho legion Of Half
breeds numbered but four.
The Half-breed trumpeter Gabriel was
there, and was the first to blow the Half
breed horn. lie footed away 10 his hearts :
content. lie said he was not Half
breed or o 5talwart, ard he was confident
he was not Democrat. In his agony he
groaned, "What, oh what am II" A
sawed-oif little fellow from the Eighth
yelled out, "YOu are tho Gabriel end of
nothing" Stalwart Wells aud son wei
early on the field, and We're ready to
murder in cold blood any Democrat or
Half-breed seen or known to be tamper-
ing with the niggers of the Third at any
time prior to the election. They failed
10 sp clfy gender, but we presume they
meant male
James T. was vi ry anxious that har-
mony should prevail, and 10 that end was
covered with smiles. Il. Wesley, the long
suffering alfbreed, invited the audience
around to his caravansy tn partake of
the delicious Breed cider.
Halfbreed Samuel Kennard, nf the
Fourth, was in full sympathy with The
movement, but as he was a failure in the
speech making line, those of the Conven-
| ton who deserved to hear him talk could
come 10 Cherry Hill.
half. breed medicine man fum the
| Fifth was pronounced by all within hear