Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-22
THE RIVALS.

everything about the scene.
You'll do your best, and III do my best
That's what we've agreed on, amt it, Zip
TifkinsF
That's it, Ben Button, and whichever of
Us wins, the other shall bear no Ill Will"
''Just so, Zip
''And everything except murder shall be
counted fairP
"EnP
"And murder, too, If you are willing to
take the consequences"
Say, Zip, hold onf'
$50 If should put you out Of my way
right here" continued Zip, without seeming
TO notice the interruption, and drawing Q
small pistol out Of his boot leg as be spoke,
'and it would never be found out on rne, why
it would be all right"
"Bnt, Zip, say
"Or If il were found OUT Zip still con-
tinued, ra. ing the pistol higher and higher
TIL IL pointed straight for Bens breast, land
were willing 20 take all the risk to get clear
which think am ready to do. why that.
100. would be all right"
''Helloi Ben, where are you going" shouted
Zip, as the former turned and ran down the
road at what seemed to be almost breakneck
speed, frequently casting scared and anxious
glances behind him
Ben, however, did not stop to answer, but
kent straight on until he was lost 70 sight in a
bend Of tue road, while Zip. bending almost
double with laughter, sent peal after peal OF
merriment ringing out on the balmy evening
air.
"Of all the chickens in christendom Ben
Button takes the wormT cried Zip, broad
grin still on his face, as be also turned and
walked away.
8 roi; bod
for the last few weeks been playing rival to
Ben Button In the affections of Melinda
Spratt. Ben was seriously in love with Me-
linda; Melinda's young heart was fond of
Zip, and ZIP, homeless, careless, fun loving
rover that he was, had never a thought that
reached into the future for an hour.
Ben and Zip had met in the road accident
ally Ben was on his way to the Spratt
homestead to make further siege to Melinda's
heart.
For the last few days Ben had had but one
thought. and that was how to get rid of Zip
as a rival So when he met Zip, he pleaded
from the fu lness of his heart and in the
most persuasive language he could command
that Zip would relinquish all Claim to Me-
linda's heart and hand
ZIP in pure fun, feigned love also, and
with well assumed earuestness tried in turn
to prevail upon Ben to withdraw from the
race. Neither, however, would give in As
u last resort they finally agreed that each
should, in fair, friendly way, he permitted
to plead his own cause with Melinda and let
her decide
With Zip SO far, it was only a good joke,
and as such he had made the most of it, as
has been seen.
Ben Button with regularity spent two even
ings of the week at the Spratt domicile
With Melinda he made very slow, if any,
,progress into favor; with Mrs. Spratt, how
Fever, he won golden opinions and stood in
shigh grace.
Since the compact between Ben and Zip the
5latter had visited Melinda but once, and then
'she had, in very shy and sweet way, teas
aingly upbraided him for having tried to take
sthc life Of her constant admirer Ben Button.
4 And would it break your heart, Melinda,
III no were to der asked Zip, with an eager
aundertone in his voice, watching her face
sclosely.
] at would-almost-of course if-but, Zip,
syou have no right to ask such questions" she
answered, looking up shyly and blushing.
4 well, you needn't be uneasy about him.
Il wouldn't hurt Ben Button by single
Thought or word muul less take his life" re-
5plied Zip, with an earrestness unusual with
him.
~ was only joking, Zip. But you seem to
be awfully in earnest and solemn this even
ing. What is ailing you, any wayF'
Nothing much, only l have made up my
mind to 20 away answered Zip, looking
aside
I 500 awayf
Eyes, Melinda"
"Wherc are you goingF'
j Anywhere. 1t makes no difference, 30
get away"
"And amt you coming backf'
''Some day, maybe, il ever / get to be Of
any account to myself or anybody else"
"You are of some account now, Zip, and
you had better stay right where you are"
mo, I've made up my mind to go and
am sure it is the best thing that could hap
pen for us all around so III stick to it - said
Zip resolutely.
Melinda was looking out OF the window
When she saw n man coming up the lane to-
ward the house and recognized III the conner
Ben Button, a shade of annoyance fitted
over her face.
Zip had been watching Melinda, and when
he saw the slight frowu on her face he too,
glanced out. and seeing who was coming, he
rose to his feet ready to depart, saying, an
call in again before leave and tell you all
good-by. Good evening"
Melinda glanced reproachfuly after the
retreating Zip There was a suspicion of
tears in her eyes and little culver around
her mouth as she murmured TO herself,
Fool Zipl he is going away because he
thinks am going to marry that hateful Ben
Button and be is jealous But l can't make
him see and | won't ask him to stay I'll die
first. Therel"
The truth was that a serious thought had
at last come to Zip. He was in love- and be
knew it He had looked at himself as In
looking glass aud found out his own worth
lessness. More than that, he had determined
TO go away, change his habits and shiftless-
ness and become a useful man and citizen
He would not ask Melinda for her love until
he had made himself worthy Of it. II, how
ever, in the meantime some other man-Ben
Button, perhaps-stepped in ahead Of him,
why, be would still be the gamer by an am
bition for higher things which, in an indi-
rect way, would be a gift from Melinda
That evening Ben Button asked Melinda to
become his wife; but she was in no hnmor to
answer him then, for lips foolish determina-
ton to so away troubled her in no small de-
gree. She knew, too, that her mother IA
vored Ben above any one else, and that she
would be grieved If Ben received a curt re-
fuSal, so she told him she would have an an
swer ready for him when he should call
again. and Ben was happy.
Days passed away They were days Of
hope to Ben, days Of doubt and irresolution
to Melinda, and busy days for hand ami
thought with Zip
The decisive evening came Mt last, and Ben
was on hand with his usual clockwork regu-
larity TO receive what he fully expected to be
favorable answer to his suit.
1t bad been a rainy day, but the sun had
broken through the clouds IN the evening and
was setting bright and clear, casting its last
rays upon Mrs. Spratt, Melinda and Ben
Button, as they sat on the west gallery Of
the house.
II declare, Melinda said Mrs, Spratt, sud
denly, "if them well diggers haven't gone
of and forgot to shut the gap in the fence
around the wells
And there is Blossie's calf in the yard
now and going straight for the we'll I'll 60