The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-02-12

in getting any, and the laugh that had
heralded his success finally gave place
to mutterings of discomfort.
"Look yer,n said Radford, suddenly,
fall 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 sarcastieal-
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 scrapins
out wheczing dance musie, for Jones'
success had cast dNh1per on the party,
and the merry time dragged.
Finally barrel OF cider was tapped.
and all were invited to drink, Jake, the
OLD hred man of Farmer Treuette,
Crank 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
waistcoat of wonderful pattern.
When asked where he got his good
clothes, he winlsed 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,
about the party, occasionally stopping
In Front af x,,,,,I IL,
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.
"I STAN var to tell We 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 mem
acingly at Jones, s.is 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 a
robbin' us of 'em ther hull 1iyelong
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 a laughing way re-
piled:
(which ther statement made by Rad
ford bein' kerect, have no wish to dis
pute. What I'm hankerin' to say,
though, is jest this: Alls fair in love an !
war. hey beat him in love, leastways
in kisses, an now'll tackle him in war if
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, a
ring was formed, and Radford and
Jones in their shirt sleeves squared off
at each other. The moon had not yet
disappeared, and with the stars gave
just enough light to enable the men to
see things in q blurred, indistinct way.
Sally, with pale face and frightened
eyes, stood a little space away. AT the
word of a man who agreed '.to see fair, y
the two men rushed iercely at each 9th.
or. an1 tha ,f
heard. Radford staggered back with a
bloody face and gasping for breath.
Jones was cool and confident. 1t was
seen at once that he could use his hands,
and that the great strength of Radford
would be conquered by Jones' skill.
Again the men met. Jones parried Rad
ford's blows with ease, and finally
sprang back and launched out both
of his great rawboned fists, landing
them square on Radford's neck.
Radford dropped as though he
had been shot There was a shrill
scream and Sally dashed through the
ring of people and knecling beside the
prostrate man raised his head in her lap
and fondled him until he regained con-
sciousuess.
''Whar ye should be, Sally, is over
yar," said Jones, lugubriously.
Sally turned upon him fiercely.
"You ruffianr' she cried. "You robbed
him and the rest of all pleasure tonight,
and now you beat him.. love him and
hate YOU"
Radford, regaining his feet, began to
tremble.
"Ye love meP" he cried. ssWhy, gal,
furgiye him freely, an would take ali
ther lickin's he ever heerd tell of fer
this
''Ef SO be it," said Jones, sulkily,
"thar amt no one else a-waitin' ter be
licked, I'll jist meander humwards, but
give ye fair warnin', ther fust time ]
kctch Jake I'll lambaiste him. IN. Y.
San.
A Powerful Torpedo-BcaG