Daily Republican., 1888-11-14
BLOSSOMS VS.. BILBnns1s,.
BY FRANCIS MAr4ErTE uAwLrr.

"shool shool drat the hensl Look
at the wretohes a.diggin' up my gar.
den seedsr'
And Miss Penelope Blossom ran az
fast as her rheumatic knee would per.
nit toward the offending fowls, her
blue gingham apron, oaispread from
each corner 'llke q sail all set 10 IA.
voring gales" tapping up and down
In unison with her shrill "shool shooI
| shooW
The hens and their lordly leader fed
In dismay before this indigo-clad ap.
partition behind them,
I'D like to wiring your necll" eIac-
ulated the wTathy spinster, as she
chased them quite distance up the
road, to secure herself against their
return TO her domains.
"Eh-what, madsm2" cried out a
little, stoui, red-haired gentleman
whom Miss Blossom, in her zeal, had
run into. The sudden collision came
near demollRhing the small man, who
could only gasp:
You've nearly knocked the breath
out Of my bodyi"
Il was a-talkin' to them chickens, "
Miss Blossom said apologetically.
''Oh, you didn't mean my neck,
then9" burying broad smile In tho
depths Of red cotton handkerchief.
'Pd feel enough like IL II you wus
the owner OF the pesky Critters" she
returned wrathfully.
II would take my chances Of being
hurt by such fair hands," bowling gal.
lantly, but not without tTife OF sar-
caBm In the tone Of bis words.
A liant suspiclon entered Miss Bios
SONS mind.
BE you the oWnerr' she demand.
ed, pointing with one long, bony finger
to the still flying fowls ahead Of them,
who were now vaulting lightly into
her next door-new - neighbor's yard.
Fortunately, think I may say,
they are mine, seeing they have been
the means Of making me acquainted
with my fair neighbor, Miss Blossom"
"HumphP' answered his fair neigh.
Dor, bearing In mind her ruined gar
den. at mayn't be so fortunate If they
cum a-dlggln' in my garden ag'in,"
with grim smile.
MAY ask what you would do In
that easel" he asked blandly, yet there
was trifie Of glitter" in his round
blue eyes.
'IPot-pie is good" was the ominous
answer.
such pies are very dear under
some circumstances, came the mean
Ing reply.
Eyes, SO I've heard" eoolly.
"But | hainta bit siIngy; III ask
you in TO dine" making stiff little
curtsy.
''Thauk you; I'll come, and bring
along little Pepper to season it with
not exactly the kind that comes in
boXes-something a trile more Bit
ing" significantly.
"While you wus about it, you might
fetch some salt to save the meal from
bein' fiat, Mr.-Mr. -"
my names Bilberry, ma'am-Jo-
slab Jarolehem Bilherry, I'll have Won
TO understand" with rising wrath.
"GOt most as many names as chick
ems" disdainfully.
"i've got what the Lord evidently
left out Of your composition" angrily.
Whats tnatr' advancing with mu-
tunl Ire toward the enemy.
Sense" he snorled, forgetting his
manners entirely In his rage
"1ou're an impudent manp
you're a sassy wOmanp
What might have followed and been
my sad place 10 record, was prevented
by tIe sudden appearance of a iair
young girl, as swse. looking as a
June rose, attended by an equally
handsome young man. The bciliger. |
eRt attitudes Of the tall woman and
short little man caused these two
lovers, who had been secretly walking
and talking, as lovers are wont to do,
TO cry out in simultaneous concert
Aunt Penclopel What is the mat
Uncle JOSH What does this
mean2r
Matter enough, I should thinkf'
retorted Miss Blossom, glaring fercely |
at the young man. "Who is he1" de-
noting the subject by one long fore |
finger pointed 80 near the aforesaid |
"he's" handsome eyes, that be inyol |
retreated step or two.
"Mr. Biiberry, auntie," began the
embarrassed young girl, but was cut
short by her indignant relative.
1--WE had enough of Bilberry's for
one dayl" with a whitening glance at
the little man. Come, miss, Won
march home with mel And don't let
me catch you meRndering in the woods
with any more Bilberrys, or I'll know
the reason why"
"You, STRIP roared the diminutjye
uncle, hopping about like an animated
frog, march home along with mel
And II / find you chasing any more
Blossoms, I'll disinherit your
The young man whispered hurried
word or two TO the blushing and en-
oarrassed girl, and turning upon his
heel hautily, with the long strides OF
pair Of shapely limbs, he soon left his
lat little uncle's snort ones waddling
IN far behind.
an cut him off without shillinew
&c painted, "if he ever goes near that
Blossoms niece againi I'll nip his
un in the budi"
He pulled stormily as he watched
he long young giant disappearing
with his ''seVen leagued boots" while
ne, "little Jack" stroye TO overtake
lin.
1.-THE dcceiven' little iadel" burst
tut the irate aunt "Off a-walkin,
With a horrid mani II ever catch /