The Opelousas courier., 1886-02-27


discomfort was apparent when the pile
had finally dwindled away. Then a fiddler
began scraping out wheeling dance
music, for Jones's success had cast a
damper on the party, and the merry
time dragged.
Finally a barrel of cider was tapped,
and all were invitedt 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 IA 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 a prey to jealousy behind. Jake,
meantime, was capering gleefully about
the party, occasionally stepping in front
| of Jones and winking maliciously. 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 upper was at it's height, and the
guests seemed to have regained their
spirits, when Radford rose, and, rapping
loudly on the table, asked permission to
make a speech. Everybody was aston
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 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 menacingly
at Jones, lis a reptile in human shape,
Yesterday he got Jake to pile all ther
red ears on n side, an he KNOWN
which side they was to, set hisself thar,
an has been a ~stealin' kisses an arobbin'
us of EN- ther hull livelong time. Which
I've said, an now want Jones to meetme
out yonder an see whuther / kin punish
him for his robbery"
Everybody agreed that it was a mean
trick, and glared at Jones. The latter
rose, and in a laughing way replied:
(Which Their 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. Ihev beat him in love, leastways
in kisses, an how'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 difficulty.
The party, men and women, withdrew
to a 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 disap-
peared, and with the stars gave just
enough light to enable the men to see
things in a blurred, indistinct way.
Sally, with a pale face and frightened
eyes, stood a little space away. At the
word of a man who agreed ito see fair"
the two men rushed fiercely at each other
and the heavy sound of blows was
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 kneeling beside
the PROSTATE man raised his head in her
lap and fondled him until he regained
consciousness.
ttWhar We should be, Sally, is over
var, I said Jones, lugubriously.
Sally turned upon him iercely.
t'You ruffian!" she cried. .sYou rob
bed him and the rest Of all pleasure to-
night, and now you beat him. / love
him and hate you.r
Radford, regaining his feet, began to
tremble.
Eye love me2' he cried. ssWhy, gal,
/ furgive him freely, an would take all
Their lickin's he even heerd tell of fer
this"
EFF so be it, said Jones, sulkily,
s'thar amt no one else a-waitin' ter be
licked, I'll jist meander humWards, but
| give We fair warnin' ther fust time /
ketch Jake I'll lambaiste him."-NeD
Togk Sun.