Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-07-24
his neighbor, Mr.. Ordway, for a debt,
and wished to retain me as his coun-

his neighbor, Mr.. Ordway, for a debt,
and wished to retain me as his coun-
sci.
gave him a chair, and asked him q
few questions, which he answered very
readily. Mr.. Ordway and himself had
been neighbors long while; there
had been dealings back and forth, ex-
change of work, of seed, corn and
oats; they had harvested, threshed and
gathered corn on both farms. Most of
these exchanges he had kept account
CT. some little he trusted to memory;
but now-and in his excitement the
Scotch tongue asserted itself-''If he
maun be so vary perticler, if Meester
O-rdway maun go a-settin' people to
reefs, altogether he maun straighten
up. I'll haze done wi him, an he
maun settle!"
Have you asked him to setttle?"
inquired.
certainly, an he denies the &C
count"
"Does he deny any indebtedness"
ooh no. but says it's not so much.
But I'm determined he shall pay it all.
He's been tryin' to make my boy the
scapegoat for the neighborhood, an
he'd better look out. He's got little
himsel, an he should ma throw
stones -
why, Mr. Mcdonald" said I, II
have always thought that you and Mr.
Ordway were on the best of terms.
I've often heard him speak very highly
of you. Will it be wise to let this
little school matter disturb your friend
liness?"
'Oh, it isn't jest the school matter;
it's been pilin' up for good SPELL
This school affair has jest showed me
what he is. He's awfully set in his
way, an because he's got bit learnin'
more than the rest of us. an has pros
pered in this worlds goods, he wants
to manage the rest of US. Must needs
build a new school-house in spite of
us, must pit the the new bridge where
he said; but I'll have done wi himr'
docs your wife know of the cool
ness between you and Mr.. Ordwayp
Or are your wives on good terms not
withstanding?'
Oh, bless your life! My wife
thinks the sun rises an sets in Mis-
tress Ordway, an I suppose nothing
less than a cyclone would disturb
their relations. Nevertheless, when
Pm done with the Ordways, my fam.
ilys done with 'em. I'm free to &C.
knowledge, though, tibet Mistress
Ordway's a fine woman. I'm sartain
sure that our Maggie wouldn't be
Twin to-day if it had no been for her.
She came right in when we thought
she'd die of scarlet fever, when help
nor sympathy could no be had for love
nor money. My wife down sick, an
us a thinkin' that our one girl was
slippin' away from us; an Mistress
Ordway came right in, an nursed he,
back to life, an Maggie loves her no W
next her mother. But" Strengthening
| up. m 0O71e WI them!"
Just then there was a rap at the
Office door, and when I went to oper
it, who should stand there but Ordwa,
| himself.
! We shook hands heartily, as we al
| ways did, and though the neighbo
spoke to each other, it was manifest,
a forced courtesy and Mcdonald tool
his hat, saying he would call again.
| l followed him to the door, and told
him had business in his neighbour
hood the next week, and would COM
to his house on Wednesday morning
1t was happy thought, almost an in
spiration, that prompted the measure
but he assented readily, only saying a.
he turned to go that he would pay M
ten pounds when the case was settled
either way.
When l had closed the door on my
new client / asked Mr.. Ordway if h,
had been up to the house, or would HI
go? That l should go with him ant
get some dinner, and give Nellie ani
the kid a chance to see him. HI
laughingly interrupted me by saying
he came on business, but as Mcdonald
had fore stalled him he had as we'll &C
home.
why, Uncle Ordway," said I, ''are
you going to law?''
I'm obliged to-" he answered.
acknowledge now, wasn't Mcdonald
wanting your services in a prosecu.
ton against me?'
Just So said I, Though we came
to no definite understanding, and you
can at least state your case.'
''Well, wanted to secure you to de.
fend me, but as he is ahead of me, I'll
60 down and speak to Jones about it.
and go home.'
"Oh, come now. I don't like Jones
I'd hate awfully to be beaten by him
even if you did win. Sit down, and
let's talk it over.''
''Well, Bailey, you know I'd rather
have you, but I'm sure Mcdonald cam,
succeed in any fair way, though may
owe him something, I can't be right
positive. We've neighbored for {
long time. I've kept account of every