Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-11-20
PrOmiScuOuS Encounter.

"My dear" said Mrs. Spoopendyke,
glanciug nervrusly out Of the window
and tnen timidly at her husband, ''my
dear, | wonder how that goat got into
our yard ?"
"What goa. 7" asked Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke, looking up from his breakfast.
"Why, the goat that's out there.''
"Oh !" grunted Mr.. Spoopendyke,
approaching the window. "You mean
that one, do You The principles that
generally regulate your conversation
betrayed me into thinking that your
mind might be fixed on some other
goat. p for him, | suppose he broke
through the fence from the back lot
or" continued Mr. Syoopendyke, has
tily, correcting himself, ''perhaps he
came to call on you. Better ask him
in."
''I'm afraid of him." peeped Mrs.
Spoopendyke. drawing closer to her
husband. "What do you think we had
better do -? If lie stays out there he'll
eat up everything"
81 believe I'll go and drive him ont, :"
said Mr.. Spoopendyke, ,eyeing the brute
with no particular amodnt of favor.
"You come along to head him off, and
you'll soon see a goat begin to wish
he had been born a girl that some one
might learn to love him." And with
this prognostication Mr.. Spoopkndyke
sailed forth followed by his wife.
"Be CAREFUL" she whispered.
''When goats get angry they butt, aud
that hurts"
''Shoo J" commenced Mr.. SpoOpen-
dyke, waving his hands and following
the goat to a hole in the fence, where
couple of boards had been knocked out.
"Shoo there, now Ski Hold on
Head him, can't ye Turn him !
Whoop ~ he roared, as the goat whirl-
ed suddenly and dashed to the other
end of the yard. "What'd We come
out here for P' he demanded of his
wife, who had made little better time
than the goat, and had reached the top
of a step ladder.
Don't let him come up here !" she
squealed, stamping her feet on the top
step, and trying to climb ur the side of
the house. Hold on to him and call
IA policeman !"
Great scheme - growled Mr..
Spo0pendyke, looking around for stick
But | haven't made up my mind
whether to call policeman, or do
holding on first. What're making
stucc0- work of yourself up there for ?
Come down and get behind that goat,
will ye, while l teach him the ways
and admonitions of Spoopendyke. If
you Amt mighty careful he'll rub up
against that step ladder, and you're liza
ble to come down in sections 70
This prophesy brought MIS-. Spoop-
endyke to the ground without much
delay.
"Say, dear" she suggested, "suppose
you should 60 to the other side of the
hole, and call him. Don't you think
he'd come 2"
"COme in q minute, if happened to
hit his right name," retorted Mr..
Spoopendyke, who had found a stick,
and was preparing for war. "Now
you edge around behind him, so as to
give him starter, and I'll put myself
in communication with him as soon as
he gets under way"
$50 along, dear. Run through that
pretty little hole like a good goat !"
faltered Mrs. Spoopendyke, apostroph-
izing the animal in a purely feminine
fashion. "Shoo, dear, now, and be
real nice" The goat looked at her,
thereby freezing her blood, and started
slowly for the bottom of the yard.
YES, love ~ ripped Mr.. Spoopen-
dyke, bringing his stick down on the
bick of the beast with a vim dictive
grin. "There's a nice little opening
for goats that's awaiting for thee |"
and down came the stick once more.
"Whe.e-e,e |" squealed Mrs. Spoop-
endyke, as the goot whirled around like
a compass at once. ''IIe must be look
ing for the place to get out, isn't he ?"
What do you suppose makes him act
that way Whe-e-e-e -
The last yell was extracted by sud-
den Strengthening up of the goat, who
tore around the yard like a cat in a
fit.
'With that headwav on, he'll be apt
TO 60 through the hole in the fence if he
ever hits it," observed Mr.. SpoOpen-
dyke, who had j)ined his wife in the
middle Of the circuit rather precipt-
ously. Il think | must hava struck
him little harder than he meant to
have me. Now, you get behind him
again, and We'll fix him so that the
next time he sees hole in our fence
he'll get hammer and board up the
temptation"
Mrs. Spoopendyke eeled along the
Il