The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-24

| NlSOls
Il guess I'll let ont a link OF two this
bout" said the sandy mustached young
man to himself.
He did SO, and not only passed the
hitherto invincible one, but kept the lead
until the dinner hour sounded.
Yes, Peter had at last found his match
and little more
Although he struggled manfully and
well, and received the assistance of
many chews Of tobacco: although he
| showed his sleeves far above his elbows,
removed his boots and rolled up his tan
colored overalls: although he welded
his new hoe with a desperation born of
despair, and paid no attention as to
whether he dropped GRE or twenty ker-
nels in hill, be at length had to own
himself out-planted. beaten, vanquished.
He did it in these words:
'This tarnal new hoe hangs out few
much"
Robert Sharp could not only out-plant
Peter, but he could, and did, out-hoe,
out-mow and out-chop him.
One would naturally suppose that the
farmer would have been greatly pleased
with so able an assistant. He was not,
however He disiked the young man
because he had taken from him his
prominence as q worker.
1t was known for miles around that
Peter Cummins had at last found man
who was his superior at all kinds of hus-
bandry.
The old tiller of the soil grew to hate
his vanquisher.
The young mans presence was a con-
slant reminder to Peter of the many de-
feats he had suffered at his hands.
And so he began to cast about for an
excuse, good or bad, for discharging
him.
He found one sooner than he expected.
One moonlight evening in August
Peter paid his nearest neighbor visit,
and coming home through his back lane
at about 0 o'clock came spat upon cou-
pie seated on log beneath the wide
spreading branches Of chestnut tree.
The young mans arm encircled the
maiden's slim waist, her head rested on
his broad shoulder. and their hands
were clasped.
AS they were deeply absorbed in TAX
ing an astronomical observation the
presence of third party was for mo-
ment unobserved.
Then Martha, lowering her eyes from
the man in the moon to the man on the
earth, saw and recognized her sire Rob-
ert Sharp saw him at nearly the same
instant
Martha" roared the irate husband
man as though his daughter was a mile
away, ''you mog your boots few the
house this minute. Come, meow, git
As fur yew turning to the hired mani
yew come with me an I'll pay yew off,
an then, yew tarnal cuss, git off'n my
farm. Ye're nuthin' but pesky, no
account tramp, anyway. If l sarved We
right I'd give ye lift with my boot"
Peter started toward the young man
as though he really intended to bring
into action his noted No. 10.
Why didn't he Go so?
Perhaps he saw 4 glitter in Roberts
dark eye, and an ominous clinching of
his sunburned hand that convinced him
that discretion was the better part of
valor"
Robert Sharp went to the farm house,
received his wages, and thrusting his
few belongings into his old carpet bag
left the Curnmins homestead, as Peter |
thought, forever
Before taking his departure he asked |
to see Martha for moment, but the re-
quest was greeted with a stentorian Nor |
Susan, however, bade him a cordial |
farewell, and slyly slipped into his hand
a tightly rolled piece of paper
The next day after dismissing his |
hired man Peter went to Piketown. ard !
falling in with some old cronies did not
leave the village till nearly 10 o'clock at |
night
When within about mile of his home |
he met a rapidly driven wagon in which |
were seated man and woman.
Although the woman was heavily |
yelled and the man pulled bis hat well
down over his eyes the old farmer at
once recognized his younger daughter
and his former hired man.
Whoa roared Peter, swinging his
horse across the road. thus stopping the
further pr 1gress of the evidently clipping
couple.
whoa, Wot does this mean, you
tarnal tramp? Git out nv tibet wagon at
onct, Martha. an come with me. Dye
hear? Come, meow, mog yer boots"
As the young lady made no move pre-
paratory to obeying the order, but on
the contrary chung Historically to her
companion, Peter, in order to enforce
his command, leaped from his wagon
and approached the other vehicle.
No sooner had he done so than Robert
Sharp, freeing himself from Martha,
jumped to the ground. seized the hus-
bandman by the collar of his snuff col
ored coat pulled him forward, pushed
him backward, and, tripping him with
Ike rapidity, threw him with
such force as to make the ground fairly
shake.
Having done this he backed Peters
horse into the roadside ditch, clambered
into his wagon and drove rapidly away.
Although Peter was so dazed by his
fall that he saw ten thousand stars, he
notwithstanding managed to get to his
feet before the runaways had complete
ly disappeared from view.
whoa! whoa" he roared in a voice
that would put TO shame any fog horn
ever invented.
Whoa. Whoa! Come back. Come
back, Martha, an git married tsw hum.
Wait till a week frum tew-night, an I'll
Clt We I'M a Haddin' that-ll hat anvthiny