The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-08

 Hobdy. He tickled me mighty nigh to death when he made them women folks go back inter ther house an snatch off all that fnery Let's see, whats ther name uv ther man that writ it?" ," Goldsmith" Len replied.
 Yes, Goldsmith; but he hit as hard as blacksmith. Ned, yer mus read that book over ter me ernuther time ain't quite got ther hang uv all ther p'ints. Mir. Gansett, I've been ernuther man sense Ned got so she ken read like CT preacher l uster look at books an wonder how folks could hump over 'em all day-didn't know thar wuz so much fun in 'em.' The old fellow laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. Then he swallowed some tobacco and laughed until he was almost strangled
 :" had company part of the way home" Ned remarked, turning to Len.
 " Indeed, but that is not strange Who was the fortunate person?"
 "Our distinguished rival, Cookery"
 !" thought that l saw him in the road some distance ahead of me as l came home, but upon looking up the second time, 1 saw that he had disap- peared.
 " His conscience must have driven him into the woods
 How so?" Len quickly asked
 Ned, after making Len promise not to get into trouble, related the conver- sation she had held with Cookery The old man looked up and frowned. Len quietly remarked: Tomorrow I will tell him he must be more careful in the future"
 The next day, shortly after Ned ar rived at the office, Len went out Ned looked inquiringly at him as he passed her She then went to the door and said:
 Remember your promise
 will, he replied.
 He went to Dockery's office The ex- legislator was standing in front of a small looking-glass, tackled against the wall, combing his hair.
 Why, how are you, my dear boy? Sit down, Say, the last issue of the Picket was as fine paper as ever saw. Say, did Miss Hobdy tell you of the little joke tried to play on her? Fearful that she might forget it l thought that l would hurry to your office, but, by George, forgot it myself
 An, you had doubtless started to my office when you turned into the woods, yesterday evening, to shorten the dis tance"
 "I-I-did turn into the woods?"
 Yes l think so. Miss Hobdy has told me what you said to her-told me how you cast a slur upon her former condition"
 It,was all joke"
 A gentlemanly one, 1 must say. Put on your coat"
 :" What are you going to do?" Dock cry falteringly asked.
 Don't ask another question: Put on your coat and come with me"
 Doekery tremblingly obeyed Just before they reached the Picka office, Cookery said: Preacher Murray has just gone into your office He"
 Silence!"
 When they entered the office, Len, after lowing to the preacher, turned to Cookery and said:
 "Get down on your knees, there, near Miss Hobdys stool"
 "Oh, dear Gan
 Get down."
 Cookery obeyed Miss Hobdy,' said Len, don't look at him.
 Ned turned her face away.
 Now" said Len, touching Cookery with the toe of his boot, apologize. Tell Miss Hobdy that you are brute, liar. plagiarist, and withal, coward Tell her that you haven't manliness enough to appreciate lady"
 MT. Gansett-"
 Len kicked him. Tell her"
 Miss Iiobdy am a-a-liar-"
 And plagiarist, go on-'
 "A plagiarist and"
 Coward, said Len
 Coward, repeated Cookery
 Come hurry up. Tell her that you haven't manliness enough to appreciate a lady"
 Haven't manliness enough to appre- ciate a lady. Now let me say some thing"
 Not another word. Get out of this