Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-09-19


stubborn sort, as don't desert old
friends, an, at the drop of hat, 20 over
to the enemy. Iconsider your proposal
insultin', an, for the last time, tell you
to stay on t'other side of that thirty
footw snapped Miss Sabriny. elevating
her chin, scornfully shifting the air, and,
as 'Si' inwardly acknowledged, "lookin'
right down handsome in her tantrum."
Crestfallen, the rejected lover turned
to go, saying humbly, as he held out his
hand: "Sabriny, shall not lay this up
agin you, anil be ready to do you good
turn at any time, but, my girl, you'll
ask me to do it before ! set foot over
that thirty foot of ground that rightful-
ly belongs to Doc Hale. He hain't the
man to claim property that isn't his
own, or fight innocent women. Mis-
P'nelopy has fretted him into doin' ag-
gravatin' things He'd be glad to settle
peaceably. Mind, Sabriny, you'll ask
me to come"
It'll be a long, dry spell before that
| happens" she retorted, turning her
back upon the man who had in her lone
| ly life been "a sight Of comp'ny an real
handy to call upon when mans helpwas
needed"
Two "eavesdroppers," Miss Penelope
and DR.. Hale, in their own rooms, had
overheard themselves and their quarrel
talked over by their faithful friends,
and some way that thirty feet in dispute
never seemed so valueless before.
Digby Hale laid down the medical
journal, unable to become interested in
even the elixir of life experiments de-
scribed in its columns Aloud he said
"Humph! That vixen Of cook serves
me up in sauce piquante. think Isl
has made lucky escape in getting no
instead of yes from that peppery dam.
sci. never suspected him of cherish
ing tender ceiling for Miss Penelopy's
comedy cook"
Unable to resume reading, he went to
large mirror and surveyed himself,
seeing a stalwart, bronzed man in his
prime. Truly it wasn't an even battle,
the money, influence and popular opin-
ion all belonging to him, and pitted
against pale, spirituelle little woman,
having the odds against her. He hadn't
really cared for that thirty feet in dis
pute, only it was his right to have it,
and without it his lawn was narrow and
contracted Being a stranger in the
village, he had never known the Becks,
and the last scion of the family, Miss
Penelope, had not proved pleasant
neighbor.
Digby Hale's battle of life had been q
long one before success came, absorbing
the days, and nights, too, leaving none
for social duties. Motherless and sister
less from boyhood, he knew little Of
sweet home ties, or the influence Of 6
tender womanly woman for the better
ment of mankind.
Come to dinner, Doc" called 'Siah
from the kitchen, and obeying the sum
mons he noticed, as he had never done
before, the need Of womanly hands" il
his bachelor abode. In silence 'Siat
served the very palatable dinner, re
penting In metaphorical sack-cloth an(
ashes his rash VOW to 'never step ovel
that thirty feet of ground until asked tt
do it."
, Temper made me say that" he in
!, wardly communed. "Now I've FIXED
things in fine style, leavin' myself NJ
, chance to win her at all by sayin' that
I'll never be asked to come if the hous,
catches fire. Sabriny's grit to the back
bone. I'll never have any other woman
for my wife, an Pm gittin' tired of liv
in alone"
The day set for the trial" was ap
preaching; DR.. Hale said it must be set
tied this court term, as sit had dragge,
q along too long now" Miss Penelop
sat in her closed bedroom, gloomy AM
:. silent the greater portion of the time
q and Sabriny's loud:
Here stands couple jined heart an hand,
He wants wife an she wants a man,
u An they will git married if they can agree.
k Then they'll march down the center as happ
q as can be,
= as she deity turned off the work, n
j. longer delighted the music-loving sou
o of 'Siah, who in turn dropped around,
/. too dispirited to hum slowly:
l. There's rose in the garden for you, young maj
It to tune and time of his own construC
a ton.
IS He really hadn't opposed Sabriny'
" carry matters so fur as to go around wit
1t her split-board bunnet pulled down tigt
1. over her face, refusin' to speak to fe
e Ter, all on count of that pesky thirt
n foot"
II DR.. Hale no longer whistled a favor
r, lite strain from the Little Tycoon"
feeling of pity stole into his heart whe
n he caught (by watching through draw
m blinds) glimpses Of the detected littl
2 woman, who, paler and thinner tina
h. ever, sometimes came to the "thirt
10 foot" and surveyed it sadly.
le Time wore on, until the twilight {
l. the evening before the trial came. Mi.
IL Penelope, really i'll, lay upon a couc
Or in her own room, shrinking from til
re publicity which awaited her next da,
s, thinking what suffering temper ha
T., brought her. "lf he hadn't seemed
IL high and mighty, should have give
n over at once" she sobbed out, confidir
is in the faithful Sabriny, who, thong
IT secretly deploring the GOODNESS betwee
gs herself and Isl, had kept up bravely
stiff upper lip" having only half a
at hour before deliberately refused to a
IT cept peace-offering, a basket of gre
ne golden pears, timidly reached her /
Josiah
On 'Oh, well, returned Sabriny, col
Id solingly you hain't wrong in wantir
n to protect your own, that your pa lie
you, Now don't 60 to weakenin' at IL
w last minute"
Il Twelve o'clock came, and still D
Hale unsuccessfully courted sleep, whe
~ suddenly there sounded loud and quiC
n rap rap upon the kitchen door. and s
as briny's voice called:
e. "'Siah, 'Siah, wake up! Call Do