The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-09-26
THE RIVALS.

Tx III v AEOs
Now that we understand each other,
. let Us shake hands and he friends
That's IT.
Their hands met in a firm grasp.
They looked into each others faces,
one with a merry twinkls in his eve and
a broad smile over his jovial features
/ the other with a glance long-drawn out,
grave and solemn, that seemed to cast "a
shadow of gloom on everything about
1 the scene.
You'll do your best, and I'll do my
best. That's what we've agreed on, amt
it, Zip Tifkins?7
That's it. Ben Button, and which
. ever Of US wins, the other shall bear no i'll
VIII
"Just SO, Zip
And everything except murder shall
be counted lair 2'
"Eh27
And murder, too, if You are willing to
take the consequence
Say, Zip bold on
50 i'll should pat you out Of my way
right here, continued Zip, without seem
1 ing to notice the interruption, and draw
! ing small pistol out of his bootleg as
he spoke. and it would never be found
out on me, why, it certainly would be all
right"
But, Zip, say
@0r, ifit we're found out. y Zip still con
tiuued. missing the pistol higher rand high
I er till it pointed straight for Ben's breast
ana / were willing to take all the risk
to get clear which think am ready to
I do, why that, too, would be all right
Hello, Ben, where are you going
shouted Zip, as the former turned and ran
down the road at what seemed to be al
most breakneck speed. frequently casting
scared and anxious glances behind
him.
Ben, however. did not stop to answer
but kept straight on until he was lost tc
sight in a bend Of the road, while Zap
bending almos. double with laughter
sent peal alter peal Of merrinient ringing
out on the baliuy evening air.
OF an the chickens in christendou
Ben Button takes the worm " cried Zip
. broad grin still on his face, a. he ais
turned and walked away.
Zip Iiikins, full Of life, fun and froIic
had for the last few weeks been playin:
rigal to Ben Button in the affections o
Melinda sprait- Ben was seriously il
love with Melinda Melinda's youn.
heart was fond Of Zip, and Zip, homeless
( careless, fun-loving rover that he was has
{ never thought that reached into the fu
,ure for an hour
Ben and Zip had met in the road aoci
dentaly. Ben was on his way to th,
: spra.t homestead TO make further siege
10 aielinda's heart.
For the last few days Ben had had but
one thought, and that vas how to get rid
Of Zip as q rival. So, when he met Zip
he pleaded from the fullness Of his hear
and in the most persuasive language he
coald command that Zip would relin-
quish ali claim 10 Melinda's heart and
hand.
Zip, in pure fun. feigned love also. and
with well-assumed earnestness tried in
turn TO prevail upon Ben to withdraw
from tie race. Neither, however, would
give in. As a Last resort they finally
agreed that each should, in 4 fair, friend
" way, be permitted to plead his own
cause with Melinda, and let the result
with her
With Zip, so far, it was only a good
Joke. and a. such he had made the most
Of it, as has been seen.
( Ben Button with regularity spent two
evenings Of the week at the Spratt dom-
icile. With Melinda he mace very slow,
if any progress, into favor; with Mrs.
/ spra,t, however, he won golden opinions
and sfJod in high grace
Since the compact between Ben and
Zip the latter had visited Melinda but
once, and then she had, in very shy
/ and sweet way, teasingly upbraided him
for having tried to take the life Of her
7 c canssant admirer. Ben Button
And would it break your heart, Me-
linda. if ne were to die qr asked Zip, with
/ an eager underione in his voice, watching
+ her Glre closely.
/ It would-almost--of eourse, if-but,
I Zip, you have no right TO ask sush ques-
tions, she answered, looking up shyly
ami bllshing.
We'll, you needn't be uneasy about
hi,o. | wouldn't hurt Ben Button By a
single thought or word. much less take
his life, replied Zip. with an earnestness
unusual with him.
81 was only joking. Zip. BIT you seem
{ TO be awinliy in earnest and solemn this
evening. What IS ailing you, any
waygr
! Nothing uineh, oniy have made up
my mind to goaway, answered Zip look
ing aside.
Go away p
Il g Yes, Melinda
Where are yca going
~Auywhere- It makes no difference
50 get away
And amt you coming back p