The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-12-24

falling more gently, and in the East faint
luminous streaks of silver gave signs Of a
perfect moonlight night. He turned with
a brighter face, and spoke cheerfullY:
q The storm is evidently about over If
no more snow falls the roads will be fair,
and if we can get an early start in the
morning think we can manage to get back
home before midnight-at least some time
before Santa Claus comes down the CHM
ney," he added, nerrily-s' but see here,
little wife, almost forgot the good news
that l have to tell you. ParsOn Stanley
settled that old account with me to-day
paid me every dollar, and interest besides,
and here it is. Now go and put it in some
safe place, and take good care Of it until 1
come back. Next spring Well put face on
this old log house that our neighbors won't
recognize. Great guns! I'd like to know
where all this cold air comes fromF" broke
of John, with sudden change Of subject
{" Good evenin' good evenin'l ] thought
I'd walk right in without knoclxin', kind o.
neigh hbor-like, yer know" and the some
what startled pair looked to see their neigh
por, Hiram Otwood, standing in the door
way.
Jimmy man, you might as well kill a
| fellow as to scare him to DEATH" goo8
naturedIy exclaimed the honest host,
springing up and placing chair for his
queer guest.
i i
made great rumpus as I come onto the
stoop"
eve were busy talking and didn't hear
| YOU Why, how blue you look : Here, take
my chair near the fire, Pm going into the
other room for awhile" and the kind
hearted hostess rose as she spoke.
30 no, I'm not bit cold. just you keep
your seat" he feeblY demonstrated, drop
| ing into the proffered chair nevertheless
without any ado and spreading his rough,
cold hands in the very blaze Of the cheer
full fire. 81 tried to git wife to come over
with me for little chat this evenin', but
she was a-gittin' the Children to sleep and
couldn't leave" and the wretched
fellows teeth fairly chartered as he
tried to keep up a show Of conversation.
g I'm real glad that you've come over,
Hiram, for 1 want to ask you to keep an eye
on my premises while I'm gone down to
the village.''
Jest Sol When be you goin'7'' was the
| quick inquiry.
"To-m morrow morning, bright and early -
\ replied the other, ''and can't get back IN
| til real late tomorrow night"
Well, Pm goin' down thar myself to-
morrow noon, but I'll have Hammer look
arter things"
"Is that so;' inquired the astonished
John, for trip to the distant village was
not an everyday event among those simple
/ nOunNAln-QWcleES.
% Yes, that's so, but If Mrs. Comstock
feels at all skeered I'll have Hammer come
over and stay all night with her. I saw
| two or three Injuns a-passin' down the
road to-day, and mabbe you'd ruther not be
alone, Mrs. Comstocz, p he said, addressing
her as she now appeared.
Indeed, I'm not the least bit tiTnid, -
was the spirited reply. There's not
enough life left in one Of those poor Great
I ures 70 fri0hteu a babvf
you're right. They wouldn't worry a
muskeeter. But must be a-goin' nc1v. y
And, rising, the awkward visitor drew an
\ old faded scarf from his pocket and epvel-
! oped his head and neck in its folds. t'Where
/ be the boys to-nightg'' he suddenly asked.
sob, they've been abed I'D hour. They're
/ going with ne IL the morning you know, ~
I and poor, tired John tried not 20 look bored
as the fellow still fingered A few moments
later he growied a sort Of goodnight and
/ took his departure, slamming the door IS
/ be went.
"As good and honest a soul as ever
/ lived, - said the husband at last, daring TO
I nreak the silence with hearty laugh.
AYou don't suppose he is near enough to