Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-01-14

Almost the flrst 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 sprang from his
seat
watcher doin'2" he asked, angrily.
'sKeep cam,n said Jones, smilingly
's'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 filed Radford's heart
with envy. Jones found the red ears
persistently, but nobody else succeeded
in getting any, and the laugh that had
heralded his slicnesa finally gave placo 70
mutterings Of discomfort.
| Look yer,n said Radford, suddenly,
ssall 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, sarcastic
ally:
''Thar they be. A goodlier pile than
ye'd husk in twice ther time..''-
He pointed behind Sally at a pile Of the
red corn. Still, Jones found nothing but
red ears, and Sally got all the kisses. No
body 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's success had cast
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
I that night wearing brand new pair Of
cowhide boots and a waistcoat of won
derful pattern. When asked where he
got his good clothes, he winked slyly,
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
Radford prey to jealousy behind. Jake,
meantime, was capering gleefully about
the party, occasionally stepping in front
Of Jones and winking malciously. 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 vengeance.
The supper was at its height, and the
guests seemed to have regained their
spirits, when Radford rose, and, rapping
loudly on the table, asked permission to
ished. The idea of the diffident, irreso-
lutte farmer making a speech was some
thing they could not understand, and so
they were silent through sheer wonder.
81 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 menacingly
at Jones, lis a reptile in human shape.
Yesterday he got Jake to pile all ther
red ears on one side, an he KNOWN
which side they was to, set hisself thar,
an has been stealin' kisses an arobbin'
US Of 'em ther hull ivelong time. Which
I've said, an now l want Jones to meet ma
out yonder an see whuther I kin punish
him for his robbery
Everybody agreed that it was mean
trick, and glared at Jones' The latter
rose, and in laughing way replied:
(Which ther statement made by Rad
/ ford bein' kerect, have no wish to dis
pute. What I'm hankerin' tn say,
though, is jest this: Ais fair in love an
war. | hev beat him in love, leastways
4 in kisses, an now'n 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 difficulty.
The party, men and women, withdrew
to a 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 yet disap-
peared, 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 iercely at each other
ana the heavy sound Of blows was
heard. Radford staggered back with
bloody face and gasping for breath.
Jones was cool and confident. It 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 kneeling beside
the prostrate man raised his head in her
lap and fondled him until he regained
consciousness.
FWhar ye should be, Sally, is over
var, = said Jones, lugubriously
/ Sally turned upon him fercely.
ssYou ruffianl'' she cried ssYou rob
1,od hin and 4l,o ,.or+ nf eli ,,lonu.,r.o u,