The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-04-01

ss Long. setting down The miikpAii on
the kitchen porch with a jerk. The stout
plssant faced woman 10 whom he spoke
paused in her doorway wiihlher bare arm =
twisted into her calico apron, aud regard
ed the offenders mildly.
They were struggling thorugh one OF
the numerous gaps 10 ilAe bfokAn aosh
fence vhich separsssi MI. Longs garden
from that Of bis nslsAbor, Alvin IAieost--
. proccsskou Of nins. cluckiss in Groom
ing way and stepping high. They came
on with composed deliberstio,. pausing
among the cucumbers with contempia-
tive air, skirsing the radishes after DIS
satisfied survey. and settling down at last
among the tomatoes with chorus Of VIC
toroIs clucks.
| II amt going TO do, said Mr.. Long.
wipipg disturbed face with bis old red
silk handkercbief ain't going to stand
it w
II Amt liksly he's thought Of it, said
his wife TRANQUILITY.
He can't think OF nothing bat that pesky
croauet business. reioined Mr. Long, jerk.
i ing his head towards his neighbours yard
from which the sound Of voices and the
click Of malets proceeded
Oh, laws, Elias Mrs. Long began in
easy remonstrance; but her husband bad
seized an old tin dipper from the porch
shelf and was making for the tomato
patch as fast as his 90 years would permit.
There was wild cackling aud scattering
as he threw his dipper in the midst OF the
scattering flock. pursued them unrelent-
ingly to the fartherest possible point, and
leaned exhaustingly against the sunken
gate OF the dilspidsted fence. 1t was sunk.
en- with the weight Of the many friendly
chats held across it since the long ago pc
riod Of its erection; chats held at all
times OF day and upon all subjects poll
tics, moving machines, fertilizers, sewing
societies, chrochet patterns, raised cake
recipes, etc.
Mr.. Talcott's croquet-ground was before
him. Mr.. Talcott himself stood near,
leaning the weight Of his small and wiry
person on bis mallet; his hat over one ear,
This cheerful round face shining with ca
gerness, his whole attitude expressive ol
watchful and profound absorption.
Mr. Long surveyed the scene with dis
pleasure. He had originally, strongly
disapproved Of Mr. Talcotts croques-
ground. He had not been sure tina
croauet was not on level with 'kerd' play.
ing and gambling; and that deacon OF
church and member of the town coun'
Gil should countenance and encourage
such iniquity was subject for grave re-
Election.
From this-aiter freq uent glimpses an'
occasional considerations OF the game
the fence-he had softened TO the opinion
that it was waste Of time aud pack 0
foolishness: falling gradually into th
habit, despite his convict ons, Of observ
ing it regularly graduating from th
fence to Mr.. Talcotts doorsteps, and TIM
acquiring tolerable knwledge Of its bale
,, full methods He had even been know
, to manifest On interest in the game. +
tender advice in crisis, to give his opin
; Ions ona disputed point, to join In ap
plause Of a good strike.
But he had always considered his pres
. ence was something Of reproof and res
traint Just now, Is he stood frownin
down The long bewicketed ground, moth
ibg could convince him thst he had e'
er retreated in the least from his prime
attitude Of rigorous disapproval.
! Mr.. Long shifted his position nearer.
You'll have 10 keep them hens OF your
to home, be said They're spelling M
garden Jest about as fast as they can man
age ii.
3 Mr.. Talcott's smiling face hardened
1t was not the first time his neighbor ha
4 mentioned the hens; though never hithel
10 10 with so much decision.
=. | don't really know % its any OF m
4 concern, he said you can't expect for m
p to be chasing hens eyerlastingly.
:. don't know but what You better !
Or chasing hens than wasting time over th
here, responded his neighbor, surveyin
: the croquetgrousd with sternness on b
long g-feature faces
4 MI. .sTacotts small bright eyes snsr
ped.
You haint no call, Ms know Of, to CIV
no opinion whatsoever, be retorted.
Mr.. Long turned his eyes upon his ira
countensnco He was slower to ang
than bis neighbof About them hens,
isaid. rnther guess this line fence bett'
be fixed up; needs it. They couldn't 9
in then unless they should go round
the orchard. aud that amt likely.
hain't been calculating TO lay out an
thing on fences just at present, said M
Tslcott, hracing himself on his short LEI
dehantly.
Mr.. Longs thin face grew grim. Y
. better Jest think over about this here fenc
! said be, as be turned stifhy away.
Mrs. Talcott had come out Of the hou
with little bowl in her hands; pleasl
/ remains Of sandy -haird prettiness.
ss Ia Jyant you to take some Of my rising
Ly HAar~h, she said. They had known ca
I other by ihair frat names some ~
years.
4 When Mrs.. Long opened the kitch
!, door ai Q o'clock the next morning. o
: stood looking out at the early August d
. in the moment before the fried pork b
sizzled itself quito brown, and the cot
z z come 10 boil -her faculties concentrst
: themselves upon an unexpected circu
= s.snceljnss beneath her eyes.