Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-29
LITTLE DICKS NEW FATHER

Two rough bearded, shaggy haired men,
nounted on sturdy "cayuse" ponies, drew
rein at the pole fence that surrounded prai-
he farm house and its attendant truck
patch" From IA limb Of the blackberry tree
that shaded the structure depended sign
hat bore the Legend
Horse Doctor.
At the SOUND Of their approach a man,
,oatless, hails.s, and as shaggy haired as
,ither If the e ,uestrians, appeared at the door
A barefooted boy, with his trousers upheld
BY a single be,ltick 'gallus," squeezed past
the man and stood regarding the new corners
with stare OF wonder
"Whew! HAin't he a buster!n he NUT
tered.
You bet be Is II the man replied
r. was easy 10 determine which one OF the
strangers was regarded as the buster" for
one Of them looked almost gigantic, 50 large
and brawny WAS he
Hello, thar the big man saluted
Hello, yerselfl" the householder answered
socially
What's the show fer dinuerl Able to pay
fer what we git"
jest drawn up TO the table when you rid
up explained the host, after the ponies had
been stabbed Buck, slide out a couple more
plates Draw up yer cheers gents, an fall TO-"
''sSonebodys comm up the read, an
nounced Buck.
His ia Their stepped to the door
Its ole Abe jackson, the meanest man In
seven states. he declared Hes jerkin'
boy along by the collar, Wonder what's ups
More NV ole Abe's meanness, I'll bet 'Nuth-
er trial, probly Blamed if wouldn't like
to give it to ole Aba himself. Seems like he's
allus hungry to pop trouble onto somebody
Sides bein a horse doctor" he went on, adj
dressing his guests, I'm jestice NV the peace,
an ole Abe, a-comin' yonder, makes bout
half nv my business"
Roney and Ben quilted the table, and, fol-
lowed by Buck, who kept his eyes fixed on
the former, joined the combined horse doc
tor and justice in the shade Of the blackberry
tree in froHt OF the house
The 'neanest man in seven states came
through the gap in the pole fence, hauling
his captive after him The latter, thin
faced. under sized lad, was dragging an old
musket longer than himself and looked half
dead with fright.
In the hand that was not gripping the lads
collar Old Abe held half leatherlcss dead
quail which, as he came up to the group in
the shale Of the blackberry, he extended dra-
materially toward the justice, and said
"ketchel him plumb iii the act doc!'
whats the row, Abef' asked the justice.
whats that boy done to be drug around
that-a-wayr
''Donef | ketched him plumb in the act
Nv shootin' quails out NV season An right
on my own blnd, too oh, you needn't
squirm!" this 10 the boy. You'll have
sump'ui to suurm fer before git through
with ye Yer bout 10 the end NV yer string
Ketchcd YOU plumb in the act, an the law
seq that whoever shoots out NV tho lawful
season CTS
Abe" interrupted the justice, who's the
jestice Nv the peace, anyhow
Why yon air, an -
Then whynt you shet up an let me do the
tryin'f'
Presently the prairie trial was well under
way The combined horse doctor and justice
sat ou "A bench beneath the blackberry tree
aud tro"ned solemnly Mt legal looking book
Old Abe stood near, still graspinG his
frightened captive by the collar. Zig Roncy
and his smaller companion were near ut hand,
witnessing the proceedings with grave intent
ness. Buck-he Of the bare feet and single
"gallus hal transferred his gaze from
Roney to oil Abe's captive, who still ciunG to
his great mnNket.
Wal remarked Buck, presently, that's
right smart NY gun"
For this uncaled for remark in court he
was iicrcely ordered tn keep his mouth closed
having louhd the desired passage In the
legal tome, the Judicial brow cleared.
"Buh' ar you guilty er not guilty = ne
Questioned
p
'Coars" he's guilty. broke in Old Abe
Didn't ketch him plumb in the
''Shet up roared the justice. Abe Jack
son, courts no place to shoot OH yer mouth
Now, boy, air ye guilty or notf
"Oh, s'pose I'm guilty" answered the
boy, drcarily Il shot the quail, but it was
fer"
"Courss he shot 1t interrupted his captor,
excitedly "Didnt-
Abe, roared the justice, hve doilafs Is
the line fer contempt NV court
oid Aoe suoHlded as quickly ms II ne hah
rece'ved u k'ocA now" ",o"-
'n'"su' se'''i'ti s'''''ei'y 70 s'iiAe Tue
boy.
Jedse' he sad, III rhPH 'na' pays
LOT tne GUAM, an II uiiie' iaiii III
iiecA"u 1t =, ""s ms ie''
Mlse'i'' SAN tie 10Y earnestly turning
70 the s'rahsei7 won one Nv you please
eake this l'''l uo"i l" ''ie covered wagon
youn hhd ny me oehd NV 'he ereek' Make
broth out oV At Ter the SICK woman IN the
wagon an tell her-'eii her cant come
jest y't
Inc smaller on the ahagsy halred men
stepled t"r"af!, JerAed Tue guam almost
saVaSeiy rom on Abe hanl' ana hurried
away IN 'he dir"'ioh Indicated by the boy
Rooney ''e 7'ti, as ne turned away see
this thul@ through
GU bftl answered honey-
wat 'lid inc justice, my duty pam,
irecAo'' Inc boy 5 got 10 DO hiied cordih
70 ia"' h'it
lLen whyn ye me MN an be done with
Hf 'r,sd tue nAeAhese man IN seven states
e1cItSdiy
onee Ter AL Aoe' sah tne justice she'
yer mouth: anu Keep II shet. II was In
yoie pl.'e u 'e''i ''o siili,"i Nv ii!S' 70
taN Ia" lhw' Out II n'ii compel ye 70
40 the boy. an II you'd a be'n half man,
an had any heart In you, you wouldn't a seed
hm
That's sof' cried Roney.
An, went on the justice u haf to do my
uuty oul as man % man l say
JedSe.s interrupted honey' visit youn
tue BOY would go ROUND the house minute
an take the pris ner with yon-
ms was accompanied by a wink that spoke
'oluiiies
P" men thet were alone, blS honey stepped
close 20 o.d Aoe, and as he lowered over him
WIN SIX rect ana more OF Drawn and muscle,
ne said several p''hy sentences that made his