Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-12-31

bout ii unless he says yes"
Bildad and Tommy had been warm
friends for upward of thirty years and
until Tommy had so frankly expressed
himself, the two never had serious diff
ferences of opinion. This speech, how
ever, proved to be the turning point in
the very long lane and for the next
week or two the villagers couldn't help
commenting on the fact that Bildad and
Tommy had assumed cold domcanor
toward each other. A few questioned
the principals as TO the ca SO but no cX-
PLANTATION was vouchsafcd and accord
ingllg the gcssips had full sway. Some
said it was because Bildad had fore
closed mortgage held by him on n
small sugar-bush across the river owned
by Mr.. Cassel; others remarked that
Tommy was mad because Bildad had
gone over to the burgh to got his first
made-to-order boots. 1t was about this
time that Jerusha Bennett was riding
over to the burgh and her music lesson
in Lutte Briggs stage, when Lutte asked
her as to the cause of the breach be-
tween her father and old Tommy. The
girl tried to look embarrassed, as much
as TO say Cant you guecs?n and Lutte
gathered up his reins and slashed his
whiplash into the snow along the road,
rs though trying to study out the prob
lem. ''Don't s'posc father sees how
things are gon'P" said Jcrusha, and
Lutte allowed that he hoped the old gen.
tleman was not wholly blind.
Il know fathers Jealous" said Je-
rusha, "but I've kinder hoped all along
he wouldn't be Jealous of you"
He'd be all right if that preacher
would keep away and if old Tommy
hadn't goaded him on" said Lutte, and
Just as he had finished speaking the
preacher. RevG. Banks Rice, appeared
up the road, driving toward the Land
ing. He was going to hold watch-mcet-
ing services at the burgh that evening
begin the following day. As he passed
Jerusha and Lutte with bow he no
tced that their checks were very much
flushed and they, in turn, felt that they
had discovered strong supercilious ex-
pressions in the preachers looks.
Tommy told your father" said Lutte,
"that you wouldn't I marry any man un-
less you liked him.
"Did he tell him thatp' said Jcrusha.
can I'm sure you don't like the
| preacher, continued Lute.
"You know, Lutte Briggs, Just rs well
rs You want to know, who Ike" said
Jerusha, "an' you know won't marry
anybody else for father, old Tommy,
the preacher, or the whole world.
What else was said by Lutte and
Rusty during that ride is private prop
erty. Suffice it to say the music lesson
was taken, Lutte got the mail, and to-
gether the stage-driver and his sweet
heart drove .backto the burgh, reaching
there Just before supper time. 1t was
noticed that Lutte hurried to the post
| office with the mail; that he made haste
in putting out his horses, and that soon
after attred in his best clothes, he APP
peared at Bildad Bennett's house, and
was admitted. 1t is also known that
after he had been in the house about
fifteen minutes he came out on the
porch in very excited frame of mind,
followed by Bildad, who shouted after
him: II amt got nothin' agin you,
Lutte, as friend, but you're not the
man for my 'Rushy's husband"
TWAS noticed. too, that Jerusha stood
in the doorway back of Bildad with her
handkerchief to her eyes, and that by
her side stood the preacher evidently
trying to console her; that presently
she pushed the minister aside roughly
and entered the house alone, leaving
Bildad and the preacher alone on the
porch looking at Lutte as he walked
rapidly down the road toward old Tom
my's shoe shop.
As l. te entered the shop he said to
Tommy: "Mr. Cassel, you mustn't goto
the watch-meetin' tonight, cause |
want you here! Don't ask no questions,
but be my friend for once and my new
year is a happy one"
I've allus been your friend, Lutte"
said Mr.. Cassel, as he peered up at the
young stage-driver over his steel-bowed
| spectacles in astonishmcnt, "but hain't
missed watchin' the new year in for
years and"
but tonight you kin do somethin'
better N that" interrupted Lutte,
"'Cause if you go to the meetin' house
YOU won't stan no show, cause that
little snip of preacher has fixed it all
up with Bildad Bennett to let Bldad
run the thing an leave you to look
ON
This argument clinched the thing,
for Tommy remarked that lie didn't
care to go to place where ''mean jsal-
ousy runs things" and he promised
that he would ''be at the shop all the
evenin'," if Lutte would only tell him
"what was up"
Cant do it," said Lutte; only, its
case of life and death, and you're the
only man in town can do the thing up
right"
BY eight o'clock that evening old
Tommy was smoking his pipe in his
shop as he sat looking out up the long
hill toward the meeting house which
stood in bold, bright relief in the bril-
liant light of nearly full moon and n
perfectly clear sky. Presently, to pass
the time away while waiting for Lute's
arrival, Tommy picked up a shoe and
began working at it. AS he worked old
Hank Steele-for whom the landing
was named and who was noted as the
only infdel in the county-espied the
light in Tommy's shop and entering
the building was astounded to find his
old friend at work. "What in the name
of all that's doin'," asked Hank, sis the
reason of this ere when they's watch
meetin' goin' on up to the mectin'
house?"
| II All Olu DOOt iLutc bIlBSS wants
sure tomorrow mornin', said Tommy
with quick wit, IAN sides | wasn't
feelin' first class and thought I'd see if |
couldn't work it OIL, F."
AS the two old friends sat side by side
chatting they CHANGED to look out OF the
window and up toward the church.
The half-mile roadway up the hill lay
like n great white ribbon, wide, smooth
and shining in the moonlight, with
every tree and fence standing in black
and sharp contrast on either side as
though placed there to hold the ribbon
fast. Presently black spot seemed 10
start from the top of the hill and fairly
fly toward the shop. As it came nearer
old Hank remarked:
Somebody slidin' down hill"
The next instant Tommy remarked;