Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-03-07
THE TOPHAM MEADOW LOT.

cold 'Liph'let's a-goin' FAST" said
Uncle CYRUS Toothaker, in a tone which
revealed his pleasure at telling a bit OF
interesting news. although he endeav-
ored to impart to it that solemnity
which the nature of the news seemed to
demand.
lie had lounged into the blacksmith's
shop with an imperturbable face and
manner, as one who has no desire for
social intercourse, but the initiated
knew at 81 glance that he had some
thing to tell.
!, Uncle Cy's announcement was re-
cciyed with general surprise.
you don't say SO, now! Iheard last
week that he was no better and no
worse, and that seemed kind of encour-
agin',' said Jacob Pettigrcw, the black
smith, who was renowned for a cheer
full view of things.
Deacon Grimes, the store-keeper, had
just dropped in, trade being dull with
him and lively at the blacksmith's, as
1t often vas on rainy forenoons. ''It's
a terrible solemn OCCASION" said he,
rubbing his hands with the air of being
especially fitted to converse on the sub
:!ect in hand. Il hope we all feel it to
be a warnin'."
"Pertkierlerly dropsy for fifteen
year. said old Peter Trueworty, who
had resided at the p]oor-house for up
ward of thirty years, but with no loss
whatever Of caste and was regarded as
an oracle.
"And all the more that it can't be ex-
pc ted to be an edifyin' end" said Dea-
con Grimes, rubbing his hands still
more briskly.
'Alebbe old 'Liph'let 'ain't been no
derhanded," said Jack Simcoe, the
Shoemaker, who was leaning against
The wall with an air that suggested re-
captivity to gossip. Jack was very IT,
regular in his attendance at church,
ana had been seen to get over the fence
lnto a.ield to avoid the minister, who
was bent upon inquiring into his spirit
ia condition, consequently he vas re-
CARED as little better than a heather.
We kept him in s~hoeleather for ten
Years now, and he amt dyin' in debt
TO Inc. l hain't nothin' on my con
science consarnin' him neither, for they
was good, honest shoes; no scrimpin'
nor shirkln' about EN-"
Inc especial force of these remarks
arose from the fact that Deacon Grimes,
IN his character of store-keeper, was
suspected of maintaining a length in his
measures which wasin inverse ratio to
mat OF his prayers.
Righteousness is filthy rags at the
sadly.
,",Nell, l guess 'Liph'let hain't many
. Them rags to leave behind him." said
,acon lettigrew, with a .fa~cetiousness
Nhlch' perhaps owing to the deacon's
presence, was Immediately frowned
Town by the others.
What I'm a-th:nkin' on" said In
ne ~, crossing his legs and clasping
MS hands around them mcditatively-
,WAat I'm a-thinkin' on is what'll be-
'ome OF the Topham medder lot now"
me stranger who was having his
'orse shod-a large man, with a pleas
VIZ lace and a well-dre ssed and pros
3Gfous air-looked up with an interest
M Expression.
ne group in the blacksmith's shop
HHlSly radiated interest in him. His
3iace OF residence, his motives in COM
ns TO Pennington, the length OF his SO
v wntn and his occupation in life, were
n;mg that were agitating every
nlAe' But he had hitherto shown a
Nay provoking reticence and inditfer-
nt lie was not especially dignified,
" mere was something in his manner
% n'en was extremely discouraging to
't spirit OF inquiry.
an expression of satisfaction stole
nor Uncle Cy's face at the strangers
n"h OF interest. He east a glance OF
,ho triumph around the circle, as
III IN should say: she can't resist me.
!! soon thaw him out"
Mepbe, now, you've heard, your
saS, about the Toopham medder lot?'
SAG to the stranger.