The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-08-09

"Thats it."
Thsir hands met in a firm grasp.
They looked into each others faces,
one with merry twinkle in his eye and
broad smile over his jovial features:
the other, with glance long drawn
out, grave and solemn, that seemed to
cast shadow of gloom on everything
about the scene.
"You'll do your best, and Tll do my
best. That's what we've agreed on,
amt 1t, Zip Tifkins2"
'That's it, Ben Button, and which,
ever of US wins, the other shall bear no
ill will7'
"Just SO, Zip"
"And everything except murder shall
be counted fair"
"Eh9"
'And murder, too, if you are willing
to take the consequences"
''Say, Zip, hold onr'
''So if should put you out of my
way right here" continued Zip without
seeming to notice the interruption, and
arawiuga small pistol out Of his boot
log as he spoke, "and it would never bo
found out on me, why it would be al
right"
"But, Zip, Say"
cor if / were found out" Zip still
continued, raising the pistol higher and
higher till it pointed straight for Bcn's
breaT, "and l were willing to take all
tho risk to get clear, which l think I
am ready to do, why that, too, would
be all right"
Hello, Ben, where are you going9'
shouted Zip, as tho former turned and
ran down tho road at what seemed to bo
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 road, while Zip,
bonding almost double with laughter,
sent peal after peal Of merriment ring
| ing out on the balmy evening air.
.'Of all the chickens in christendom
Ben Button takes the worm!' cried Zip,
a broad grin still on his face, as he also
turned and walked away.
Zip Tifkins, full of life, fun and frol-
| ic, had for the last few weeks been
playing rival to Ben Button in the af.
fections of Melinda Spratt. Ben was
/ seriously in love with Melinda; Melin-
da's young heart was fond Of Zip, and
Zip, homeless, careless, fun-loving rover
that he was, had never thought that
reached into the future for an hour.
Ben and Zip had met in the road &C.
cidentally. Ben was on his way to the
Spratt homestead to lay further siege te
M.lindas heart.
For tho last few days Ben had had
but ono thought, and that was how tc
get rid OF Zip as rival So, when he
met Zip, he pleaded from the fullnes'
! ! of-nis heart and in the most persuasive
language he could command. that Zip
would reliuquish all claim to Melinda
heart and hand.
| Zin in pure fun, feigned love also
aud with we'll earnestness triet
in turn to prevail upon Ben to with
draw from the race. Neither, however
would give in. As last resort the,
finally agreed that each should in fair
friendly way, be permitted to plead hi
own cause with Melinda, and let he
decide.
With Zip, so far, it was only goot
joke, and as such he had made tho mos
of it, as has been seen.
| Ben Button with regularity spent tw'
evenings of tho week at the Spratt domi
cile. With Melinda he made very slow
if any, progress into favor; with Mrs
Spratt, however, he won golden opin
ions and stood in high grace.
Since the compact between Ben ant
Zip the latter had visited Melinda bu
once, aud then she had, ia a very shy
and sweet way, teasingly upbraided hin
for having tried to tako the life OF he
constant admirer, Ben Button.
sand would it break your heart Me
linda, If no wero to die1" asked ZIP
with an eager undertone in his voice
watching her face closely.
ut would-almost-of course, if
tut Zip, you have no right to ask suci
questions" she answered, looking VI
shyly aad blushing.
We'll, you needn't be uneasy abou
him. wouldn't hurt Ben Button by
single thought or word. much less tax