St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-02-06


were eager for the dancing that was to
follow it. Radford seated his big form,
adjusted hickory corn peg on his
strong right hand, and soon stream OF
glistening ears was flying over his left
Shoulder. Jones sat right opposite him,
where the ears bulged out as if to meet
him. The others sat wherever they
could find seats, or stood back and
dragged little piles of ears toward them.
Almost the first ear that Jones husked
was red one. He arose deliberately,
walked over to where Sally was sitting,
and kissed her before she knew what his
intentions were. She uttered little
scream and Radford half sprung from
his seat.
sWhatcher doin'?'' he asked, angrily.
Keep cam,'' said Jones, smilingly;
'yar's red ear
Everybody laughed uproariously ex-
cept Radford Jones had hardly seated
himself again before he found another
red ear, and again he kissed Sally with
an JUNCTION that filled Radford's heart
with envy. Jones found the red ears
persstently, but nobody else succeeded
in getting any, and the laugh that had
heralded his success finally gave place
to mutterings of discomfort.
Look YER said Radford, suddenly,
''all those yer ears must be left whar all
kin see 'em. No repeatin', mind yer" "
"a little applause greeted this, but it
was hushed when Jones said sarcastical-
ly:
Thar they be. A goodlier pile than
ye'd husk in twicet ther time"
He pointed behind Sally at pile of
the red corn. Still Jones found moth
ing but red ears, and Sally got all the
kisses. Nobody else found any, and
the common discomfort was apparent
when the pile had finally dWindled
away. Then fiddler began scraping
out wheeling dance music, for Jones
success had cast a damper on the party,
and the merry time dragged.
Finally barrel of cider was tapped,
and all were invited to drink. Jake, the
old hired man of Farmer Treuette,
drank more than was good for him,
and became noisy and garrulous. He
had appeared that night wearing a
brand new pair of cowhide boots and
a waistcoat of wonderful pattern.
When asked where he got his good
clothes, he winked syly, but refused to
make any explanation. The bell at
the house summoned all the merry
makers, and Jones seized Sally around
the waist and led her off, leaving Rad
ford prey to jealousy behind. Jake,
meantime, was capering gleefully
about the party, occasionally stopping
in front of Jones and winking malic-
iously. Jones lost his patience at last,
and pushed the old fellow from him so
forcibly that he fell headlong to the
ground. He got up, threatening ven-
geance.
The supper was at its height, and the
guests seemed to have regained their
spirits, when Radford rose, and, rap
ping loudly on the table, asked per-
mission to make speech. Everybody
was astonished. The idea of the diff
dent, irresolute farmer making a
speech was something they could not
understand, and so they were silent
through sheer wonder.
II STAN var to tell ye suthin' yell
find it hard tn believe, but which it will
be true as preachin' howsumever. Thet
man thar" said Radford, growing red
with anger and shaking his finger men
acingly at Jones, ''is a reptile in human
shape. Yesterday he got Jake to pile all
ther red ears on one side, an he, know
in which side they was to, set hisself
thar, an has been a stealin' kisses an
robbin' US of 'em ther hull livelong
time. Which I've said, an now want
Jones to meet me out yonder an see
whuther kin punish him for his rob-
berry"
Everybody agreed that it was mean
trick, and glared at Jones. The lat
ter rose, and in laughing way re-
piled:
(Which ther statement made by Rad
ford bein' kerect, I have no wish to dis
pute. What I'm hankerin' to say,
though, is jest this: Ais fair in love an
war / hev beat him in love, leastways
in kisses, an now'll tackle him in warif
SO bein' all's agreeable =
The women protested. but the men
put them down, and insisted that there
was no other way out of the diff
Guilty.
The party, men and women, withdrew
to level pasture beyond the barn,
ring was formed, and Radford and
Jones in their shirt sleeves squared off
at each other. The moon had not vet
and with the stars gave
just enough light to enable the men to
see things in a blurred, indistinct way.
Sally, with pale face and frightened
eyes, stood little space away. At the
word of man who agreed ito see fair"
the two men rushed fercely at each 9TH
er, and the heavy sound of blows was
heard. Radford staggered back with
bloody face and gasping for breath.