The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-03-18
He pointed behIpd S.Ilv = ! nile Of the

He pointed behind Sally at pile of the
red corn. Still Jones iound nothing but
red ears, and Sally gotall the kisses. No
body else found any and the common
discomfort was apparent when the pile
had finally dwindled away. Then i'd
Aer began scraping ont wheeling dance
music, for Jones's success had cast dam.
per on the party, aad 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
that night wearing . brand new pair oil
cowhide boots a.d 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 winkins aaaliciously. Jones
lost his patience at last, and pushed the
old fellow from hlm 80 forcibly that he
fell headlong to the ground. He got mp,
threatening vengeance.
The supper was at its height, and the
guests seemed to have regained their
spirits, when Radford rose, and, rappin 9
loudly on the table, asked permission to
make speech. Everybody was aston
ished. The idea of the difident, irreso-
lrte farmer making speech was some
thing they could not understand, and
so they were silent through sheer won
der.
g stan var to tell ye suthin' yell find
1t hard tn believe, but which it will be
true as preachin', howsmever. Thet man
thar said Radford, growing red with
anger and shaking his inger menacingly
at Jones, "i is 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 a robbir.'
us of 'em ther hull livelong time. Which
Pve said, an now | want Jones to meet
me out yonder an see whuther kin pun
sh him for his robbery"
Everybody agreed that it was mean
trick, and glared at Jones. The latter
rose, and in a laughing way replied:
(which ther statement made by Rad
ford bein' kerect, have no. wish to dis
pute. What Pm hankern' tn say, thoug',
is jrst this: Ais fair in love, an war
| hev beat him in love, leastways in kiss
es, 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 difficulty.
The party, men and women, withdrew
to level pasture beyond the barn, ring
was formed, and Radford aud Jones in
their shirt sleeves squared off at each
other. The moon had not yet disap-
peared, and with the stars gave just
enough Fight to enable the men to see
things in blurred, indistinct way
Sally, with a pale face and frightened
eyes, stood a little space away. At the
word of a man who agreed to see fair ~
the two men rushed fiercely at each other
and the heavy sound of blows was
heard. Radford staggered back with
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
Radtord's neck Radford dropped as
though he had been shot. There was a
shril scream and Sally dashed through
the ring of people aud kneeling beside
the PROSTATE man raised his head in her
lap and fondled him until he regained
consciousness.
"Whar ye should be, Sally, is over
yar," said Jones, lugubriously.
Sally turned upon him fiercely.
You ruffian - she cried You
robbed him and the rest of all pleasure
tonight, and now you beat him. l love
him and hate you"
Radford, regaining his feet, began to
tremble.
aye love me?' he cried. "Why, gal,
| furgive him freely, an would take all
ther lickin's he ever heerd tell of fer
this"
"Ef so be it," said Jones, sulkily,
"thar amt no one else awaitin' ter be
licked, I'll jist meander humwards, but
| give We fair 'warnin' ther fust time
ketch Jake I'll lambaiste him. ."-Ne,c