The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-12-27

Mr.. Strong wriggled about in his
chair. I'm sorry Ter Jake he mu-
tered.
A sharp CLEAN came into the ewes Of
Polly, and, as the widow arose and ldt
the house, she whispered to her hls-
band: Don't be an old fool
Absalom was about to reply, but AZ
this moment wagon wheels ratified over
the icy road and man drew rein at his
door. 1t was Mr.. Case, with whom he
had made the bark-hauIing contract.
We'll, -" saidNl owner of the tam
merry, as he was uSnGted into the unpre-
tentious sitting-room, 81 came to seeI
about that bark business"
Again Absalom Strong became I'M
easy, this time with more reason than
before, as he well knew that, iudgingl
from present appearances, he would be
unable to fill his contract. But he
waited in silence for the other to make
known his errand.
! Mr.. Case seemed at a loss for words.
At length he broke the silence: You
haven't done much toward hauling the
1 bark yet, have you?n
'No, | hain't,' answered Absalom
''What | wanted to ask was whether
or no you wouldn't like to throw up the
/ job"
Absalom was about to Jump at the
offer when Mrs. Strong stopped him
with an imperative gesture.
''What do you want the Job throwedl
up for?" she asked, as her husband
closed his cavernous mouth withoud
] speaking. b
"Wel1, I'll tell YOU answered Mr.
Case a little neryously, for he did not
fancy the Intervention of the sharp
featured woman, my tannery was
burned last night, and am thinking
Of building next spring and sum
mcr in a different place, and
so [ should like to have the bark
lie where it is till next winter It's well
piled up and can be easily covered. |
am thinking of building quite near to
where the main body of the bark is
Mrs. Strong eyed him shrewdly. EFF
: Absalom hadn't done as he agreed,
YOU would made him pay $500 forfeit.
: Now you want to throwup the bargain,
an you don't say nothin' of payin' him
any forfeit"
The visitor drew down his brow
sharply. Il thought perhaps he would
like to cancel the agreement he said,
slowly. The season is very backward
about hauling; he has been to no ex-
pense so far, and | didn't know but that
it might be to his advantage to do So :"
Again Absalom essayed to speak, but
once more Polly enforced silence. cit S
all terrible nice an smooth when it's
a goin' to benefit you" she said, in a
decisive voice, ''but eff the boot wus on
tother foot you wouldn't be so willin'.
Now, Absalom,' she said, turning to
her husband, don't We let him off on
/. less he pays yei make him gin
We at least one hundred dollars.
Mr. Case REDEEMED with anger, while
/, poor Mr.. Strong looked first at his
schcming wife and then at his visitor.
Il thought | made this bargain with
a man and not with woman, retorted
the latter, but Polly nothing daunted,
interrupted him.
''Ef you an him did have the dom of
p it, I've got something to say about the
Ondoin of it, an Alb Strong won't take
a cent less'n than one hundred dollars
for THROWN up the contract
Poor Absalom was powerless. The
iron grip of fate was upon him, and ne
uttered no sound. But with Mr. Case
it was different. He arose quickly to
his feet, damned his hat unceremonious-
ly upon his head and made for the door
With his hand upon the latch he turned
and said:
II beg pardon for making any propo-
sitions whatever. Let the contract
stand as it is, and, if the bark is not
delivered at the time specified, shall
enforce the payment of the forfeit"
Absalom endeavored to expOstulate,
but the irate Mr.. Case would listen to
nothing further. He hurried out, sprang
into his carriage and drove rapidly
away without turning his head
Absalom Strong was nearly choking
with anger toward his wife, and for the
time being, at least, their relative po-
Stions were changed. who's the fool
now?' he cried, fercely, stamping
about in a towering rage. "Ef you'd
held y're tongue I'd a got out O. that
scrape mighty easy. Now I'll have to
pay that two hundred dollars sure's
fate" and he ground his teeth savagely.
II think there's sech a thing as
DRAWN the string leetle too tight, "
he continued, as Polly sat in silence, for
once at a loss what to say, IAN I'm
goin to turn over new leaf this blessed
Christmas. The Wilder Mason shell
have a COW an pay me when she gets
able; an I'm goin' to do the fair thing
by poor Jake Smith, too, see if l don't.
This grindin', an pnchin', an screwin'
the last copper out of poor onfortunits
I'm done with. I'm sick ont"
What do you mean by dom the
right thing by Jake Smith," questioned
Polly, as Absalom ceased speaking,
though he kept up his walking to and
fro.
I'm tell we some other time" ejacu-
lated that worthy, looking at the huge
old clock that licked solemnly in the
corner. Its most ten O'Clock, " he
said, an I'm agoin' now, afAre / git
hard-hearted agin," and he left the
house with the look of man who is bur-
dened with weighty mission.
Polly Strong sat rs one in dream.
She heard Absaloms voice as he spoke
to the stolid old farm horse, and then
she looked from the window and
watched him till he disappeared from
sight.
4 short driva brouo,bt hin, IN tL ~