Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20

became disinclined to admit the truth Of any
such charge, since whenever they met nc found
himself treated with good deal OF rough
though distinct courtesy.
Yet Frank at length had reason TO reverse
his decision. The modest u::le vegetable gar
den at the back of his house was separated
from large meadow OF Rothsay's by only the
most insecure OF fences. Within this meadow
the Rothsay cows were left all DIV to Craze.
and more than once they broke through into
franks domain. The result uI,lal in such
cases. each time proved disastrous. Frank $
man demonstrated with one o. Rothsay's nume--
Gus men, and several mrs the fence re-
paired. But in so slovenly and haphazard q
way was this reparation performed that one
particular little short-horned COW with n wicked
black eye found slight difficulty in committing
fresh pranks o! demolition. And Mt last Frank
determined to see Mr.. Rothsay and settle the
matter, If he could, both amicabiy and perma-
nently.
He called upon his next-door neighbor one
morning before going into town. He had heard
that Rothsay was given to occasional fits OF
intemperance and felt therefore not quite so
surprised as he might otherwise have been 10
md him pacing the floor OF a rather vulgarly
furnished sitting room with blood shot eyes
and a morose mouth. Still. whatever nav have
happened on the previous evening he was by
10 means i'll his cups now. But he chose to
treat Frank very uncivilly about the fence.
Il can't be expected to spend a small for
tune, Mr.. Amory," he said, for the purpose OF
protecting few of your potatoes and ca buges.
That fence has already been repaired three
times"
And very badly each time" said Frank.
with thread of ire in his voice. Besides. if
1t had been repaired q hundred times, Mr..
Rothsay, and always insufficiently. that would
by no means remove from me the right to make
my complaint"
Ro;hsay shrugged his solid shoulders ard
scowled httle. "Oh. il wouldn't?'' he NUT
tered Making a complaint and having it
listened to are not exactly the same"
They're the same in a matter of this sort,
among gentlemen-alwavs," returned Frank.
feeling his nerves tinSle as he spoke.
"Poh." said his host, with y toss Of his IN
kempt head. sudden thrustinS of both hands
into his pockets; its the opinion of my man
Peter that your man Matthew weakens his re-
pairs at night just so that. sooner or later, I'll
have to put UP new fence.
Your man Peter wouldn't dare say such
thing to me. cried Frank. Matthew'S as de-
cent and honest n fellow as evos breathed."
At this Rothsay showed set of somewhat
dingy teeth in an almost sardonic smile. 1--WE
good deal of confidence myself" he drawled
tantalizinSly. Fin the moral principle of Peter"
What rowdy I've got to deal WITH" silently
reflected Frank. But aloud he said with terse-
ness and no little seif-restraint: 1T all comes
to this. think, Mr.. Rothsay: The fence is
yours and your cattle break through it. In
oroef 10 prevents uch proceedings either proper
repairs should BIO made or else q new fence
built altogether. Which Of these two things
are YOU willing to do?''
Pothsay threw back his head and stroked his
chin with most irritatingy ruminant air.
I'LL err consider" he began; /"
''Piease do consider" struck in Frank very
sharply. And he arose. hurt and stung to the
quick. passing forth at once from the house.
All that day while in town ho felt tempta-
ton to drink. 1t is the fault of our too perfect
civiiization. perhaps. that comparative trifes
will aifi!ct US with an extraordinary discomfort
Frank felt now and then as il burr were
sticking III his mustache ana he had been for
bidden to comb it out. But he resisted all de-
sired to win forgetfulness of Rothsay's affront