The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-08-18
RIVAL LOVERS.
Tho Compact Between Ben Button
and Zip Tifkins.

let us shake hands and be friends"
That's it."
Their hands met in a firm grasp
They looked into each others faces,
one with a merry twinkle in his eye
and a broad smile over his jovial feat
ures; the other, with glance long
drawn out, grave and solemn, that
seemed to cast shadow of gloom on
every thing about the scene.
you'll do your best, and I'll do my
best. That's what we've agreed on,
amt it, Zip Tifkins?"
Chats it, Ben Button, and which
ever of us wins the other shall bear no
ill-will"
'Just SO, Zip"
"And every thing except murder
shall be counted fair"
"Eh?"
"And murder, too, if you are willing
to take the consequences"
''Say, Zip, hold on!'
$50 if should put you out of my
way right here" continued Zip, with
out seeming to notice the interruption,
and drawing a small pistol out of his
bootleg as he spoke, land it would
never be found out On me, why it would
be all right"
But, Zip, say"
COR if it were found out" Zip still
continued, raising the pistol higher and
higher till it pointed straight for Ben's
breast, land l were willing to take all
the risk to get clear, which l think
am ready to 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 almost breallneck speed, frequently
casting scared and anxious chances
behind 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, bending almost double with laugh
ter, sent peal after peal of merriment
ringing out on the balmy evening air
"Of all the chickens in christendom
Ben Button takes the wormn' cried
Zip, broad grin still on his face, as
he also turned and walked away
Zip Tifkins, full of life, fun and
frolic, 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 ac-
cidentally. Ben was on his way to the
Spratt homestead to lay 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 rival. So, when he
met Zip, he pleaded from the fitness of
his heart, and in the most persuasive
language he could command, that Zip
would relinquish all claim to Melinda's |
heart and hand.
Zip, in pure fun, feigned love also,
and with well-assumed earnestness
VIlCA LII Jul II w plSfeGll upOn DtH 10
withdraw from the race. Neither, how
ever, would give in. AS last resort |
they finally agreed that each should, in |
fair, friendly way be permitted to
plead his own cause with Melinda, and !
let her decide.
With Zip, so far, it was only good |
joke, and as such he had made the most
of it, as has been seen.
Ben Baton with regularity spent two
evenings of the week at the Spratt
domicile. With Melinda he made very
slow, if any, progress into favor; with
Mrs. Spratt, however, he won golden
opinions and stood 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 constant admirer, Ben Button.
"And would it break your heart,
Melinda, if he were to dieP" asked Zip, |
with an eager undertone in his voice,
watching her face closely.
at would -almost-of course, if
but Zip, you have no right to ask such
questions" she answered, looking up
shyly and blushing.
"Well, you needn't be uneasy about
him. wouldn't hurt Ben Button by |
single thought or word, much less
take his life," replied Zip, with an
earnestness unusual with him. |