The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-03-12

opt 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 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. y
"a little applause greeted this, but it
was hushed when Jones said sarcastical-
":
THAR they be. A goodlier pile than
ye'd husk in twicet Their 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 damper on the party,
6uu Tic tllllC uIuEkCu.
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
. 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 of, leaving Rad
ford q 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 rcgained 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
sheer wonder.
II STAN var to tell We suthin' yell
find it hard tn believe, but which il will
be true as preachin'. howsumever. Thet
man thar" said Radford, growing red
with anger and shaking his finger men,
acingly at Jones. ais reptile in human
shape. Yesterday he got Jake to pile all
Their red ears on one side, an he, know
in which side they was to. set hisself
thar, an has been stealth kisses an
Robin us of 'em Their hull livelong
Time. Which I've said, an now want
Jones to meet me out yonder an see
I 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 Their statement made by Rad
ford bein' kerect, have no wish to dis
pute. What Tn hankerin' to say,
though, is jest this: All's fair in love an
war. hev beat him in love, leastways
IN kisses, an how'll tackle him in war II
70 bein' ais agreeable
The women protested. but the men
put them down, and insisted that there
was NO other way out of the difii-
guilty.
The party, men and women, withdrew
70 level pasture beyond the barn,
ring was formed, and Radford and
Jones in their shirt sleeves squared of
1t each other. The moon had not vet
and with the stars gave
inst enough light to enable the men to
zee things in q blurred, indistinct way.
Sally, with pale face and frightened
eyes, stood little space away. At the
word OF . man who agreed s'to see fair"
he two men rushed fercely at each 9TH
81. and the heavy sound Of blows was
heard. Radford staggered back with q
bloody face and gasping for breath.
Jones was cool and confident. It was
,een ct once that he could use his hands,
md that the great strength Of Radford
would be sconquered by Jones' skill.
Again the men met. Jones parried Rad
lord's blows with ease, and finally
Iprang back and launched out both
Il his great rawboned fists, landing
hem square on Radford's neck.
Radford dropped IS though he
rad been shot. There was . shril
cream and Sally dashed through the
ing Of people and kneeling beside the
or0strate man raised his head in her lap
md fondled him until he regained con-
lci0usness.
''Whar ye should be. Sally, il over
1ar, = said Jones, lugubriously.
Sally turned upon him fiercely.
"YourufRanI' she cried. .sYon robbed
him and the rest Of al pleasure tonight,
md now you beat him. love him and
hate you.
Radford, regaining his feet. began to |
remble.
.'Ye love mef'' he cried. why, Gal.
furgive him freely, an would take ali
her hckin's he ever herd tell of fer
his."
~ 20 b II. said Jones, sulkily |
thar amt no one else a-waitin' ter be |
licked. I'll jist memder humwards, but |
give ye fair warnin', Their fnst time / |
Istch Jake III lambaiste hin" ~ r
IN.