Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-08-17

NOW ltldl VIZ uud N''N+
let Il, shake hands and be friends.
That's it.
Th,ir hands met in a firm grasp.
They looked into each others faces,
one with a merry twinkle in his eye ana
broad smile over his jovial features;
the other, with a glance long drawn
out, grave al d solemn, that seemed to
cast shadow of gloom on everything
about the scene.
you'll do your best, and I'll do my
best. That's what we've agreed on,
ain 1t, ZIP TlflinsP
"Thats it, Ben Button, and which
ever of US wins, the other shall bear no
ill wil2'
u lst so, Zip"
"And everything except murder shall
be counted fair.
"Eh2'
"Aud murder, too, if you are willing
to TAXI the consequences.
''say, Zip, hold onl'
80 if l should put you out OF my
way right here" continued ZIP without
Sc, ming to notice the interruption, and
drawing a small pistol out Of his boot
leg as he spoke, and u would ne7sr & =
found out on me, why it would be al
right"
'But, Zip, say"
"or if were found out" Zip still
continued, raising the pistol higher and
higher till it pointed straight for Ben's 5
breast, "and l were willing to take all
tho risk to get clear, which think
am ready TO do, why that, too would
be all right"
Hello, Ben, where are you going9'
shouted Zip, as the former turned and
ran down tho road at what seemed to be
almost breakneck speed, frequently
casting scared and anxious glances be-
hind him.
Ben, however, did not stop to answer,
but kept straight on until he was lost to
sight in bend in the roal, Will zip,
bending almost double with LAUGHTER
sent peal after peal of merriment ring
lag out on the balmy evening air.
"Of all the chickens in christendom
Ben Button takes the worm!7 cried Zip,
a broad grin still on his face, as he also
turned and walked away.
ZIP Tilkins, full of life, fun and frol-
ic, had for tho last few weeks leen
playing rival to Bel Button in the af
fections of Melinda Spratt. Ben was
seriously in love with Melinda; Melin-
d@s young heart was fond of Zip, and
Zip, homeless, careless, n-loving rover
that he was, had never thought that
reached into the future for an hour.
Ben AMI Zip had met il the road ac-
cidentally. Ben was on his way to the
Spratt homestead to lay further siege to
NJ linda's heart.
For the last few days B IN had had
but ono thouyht, and that was how to
get rid OF Zip as a rival So, when he
met ZIP he pleaded from the fullness
oil his heart and in the most persuasive
language he could command, that Zip
would relinquish all claim to Melindas
heart and hand.
Zip, in pure fun, fcigned love also.
1ad with well-asumed earnestness tried
n turn to prcv.il upon Ben to with
iraw from the race. Neither, however.
would give in. As a last resort they
lnal y agreed that each should in fair
riendly way, be permitted to plead his
'wn cau'e with NJ linda, and let her
Iccide.
With zir, so far, it was only a good
oke, and as such he had made the mo,t |
# it, as has been seen.
Ben Button with rcgu arity spent two |
yenings Of the week at the spratt domi-
lie. With Melinda he made very slow
any progress into favor; with Mrs.
7r-tt' however, he w3n golden opin-
'ns and stood in HI h grece.
Stree the compact lctweon Ban and
.p the latter had visited Melinda but
nee, and then she had, il a very shy
nd sweet wy teasingly upbrai led him
'r having tried to take the life OF her
'nstant admirer, Ben Button.
And would it break your heart Me-
nda, if he were to dieg" asked ZIP.
llh an eager undertone in his voica.
atching her face closely.
''lt would-almost-of course IT,
1t Zip, you have no right to ask such
iestions,' she answered, looking 10
Wy aad blushing.
Wei, you needn't be uneasy about
H. l wouldn't hurt Ben Button br a
lgis thought or word, much less take