The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-06-18
MARRIED AT A GALLOP.

"Well2" in n decidedly testy tone, was
the greeting old Joel Gringer gave the tall
young schoolmaster who stood fumbhug
the latch of the front gate, and clearing his
throat more for the sake of attracting at
tention than to remove any obstruction
from his windpipe. "Wellf"
But It wasn't we'll That wasn't the
right way to encourage the young man,
and shrewd old Joel Gringer knew IT, He
wanted to make him go through the tor
ture of telling him plainly that he had
come TO see his daughter, so that he could
put an end to the thing then and there.
"Wellw
"H'ml T-I-just wanted TO know il
Miss-h'm, h'm-is Mt home" and the
young fellow relieved his nervousness by
digging up the gravel walk with his left
toe at rate that threatened to damage IL
worse than ten years regular wear and
tear
"f thought your business was to teach
the children to speak the English Ian
guage, and here you can't do anything but
hum and hawk. Pm at home, and so is
Growler there. Anything else2" and the
steely eyes looked through the young man
like ferret's.
NO, SIT, WlI0 ~ lOuCl Hnet0, Il was 1uSt
going up the road to Mr.. Mason's, and
wanted to know IL the family were all
well-that's all" And the bashful young
fellow seemed TO have found his wits some
where, for he turned coolly away, raising
his cane rs he did So and striking the ma
pie foliage over his head three sharp clips
that made the leaves crack like pistol.
And the old farmers eyes were not SO
sharp as he prided himself they were, or
he might have seen the hutter of some
thing white, three distinct times, from the
narrowest opening in the blinds above,
and have guessed why the young man was
so easily satisfied.
Maybe love is blind to it's own objects;
but for dullness of vision give me, all the
time, the eyes that are ever so sharp after
q bargain, bat have not the quickcning of
the divine passion to make them vigilant
guards against the dangers that threaten
to thwart loves plans. That's long way
of spelling Joel Gringcr, but n true one.
lie watched the straight, 1.-the young
form until it seemed only II shadow
against Neighbor Mason's barn, and then
began banging to the shutters with n We
hemence that said to all, "Joel Gringer
can take care of bis own every time
leave him alone for that"
Gone on to MasOn's," was his gruff
answer to his wife's questioning look.
"Only wanted to inquire after the health
of the family. S'pose he thinks the dees-
trick is assessed topay him for goin' round
an doin' that-ha, ha! What would the
funerals of two-thirds OF this family count
with hiR2 Good at fractions, they say.
Well see how his fractions work in this
house. Much good it will do him to talk
it over with John Mason, the old"-
"Sh-" hissed cautiously into his ear,
and a warning finger told hiIe to leave un-
complimentary references to the. neighbor
with whom he had been embroiled in a
bitter lawsuit, and between whGse farms
devils lane" prevented any joining of
line fences --sunsaid. "There's Mason's
hired man again"
"WellW About 20 per cent. mare pep
perry than mon ent ago.
"The old man sent me over to say them
there hogs o. yOurn's been into the back
corn6eld aSin, au' he won't turn 'em out
till doomsday, nor let me. They're there
yit, an maxim the interest on five thou
sand dollars fly like siXty-that's what the
old man lows the lield'il fetch him. Bet
ter not take that there pup along, had ye?
Hit Wait till can get outp'
The last exclamation was caused by prep
arations for unchaining the huge bulldog
Growler, and Ben StoRe made one leap
over the fence and was out ot hearing be-
fore Joel Gringer could finish something
about ''going for witnesseg."
said my say out. Hen the dogs wit
nesses enough, reckon, to the scrimmage
there'll be. Pm engaged ip another case.
Hogs amt to nay likin', Joel Gringer,
though do know how to drive 'em purity
slick. Wouldn't a-taken that dog IL /
hadn't called it pup an recommended not.
Lawsl but there'll be smash to pay for to-
night sures my names Ben Stone"
Mrs. Gringer set her candle in the back
kitchen window and her supper in the
oven, and watched and waited for Jpel's
lantern to CLEAN down the lane leading to
the back cornfield.
But it was cleaning in more fantastic
forms farther away 1t was playing hide
and seell up and down dusty rows of corn,
Just In the milk and toothsome to the un-
ruly swine. He and Growler were defend
ing the rear, with Mrs. Gringer doing SEN
tinel duty for them-but what Of the
front.
In little hollow in the road, not twenty
rods from Joel Gringer's house, the thick
green turf by the wayside served as a
cushion for the feet of two restive steeds
that would stamp at the troublesome flies.
Every nail was fast in their shoes, and
every strap buckled tight, while the nervy
fellows-two Of the most tireless travel
ers John Mason's stable could boast
champed their bits restlessly and tossed
their heads, throwing now and then q fake
Of foam that flashed with silvery bright
ness in the chance rays of moonlight,
and But what is that?
Adown the green, thorny breastwork
that defended Joel Gringer's possessions
from the wayside grazers fitted slight
figure, crouching and halting, and then
darting swiftly forward toward the little
dell which seemed to be the rendezvous
sought
ISIS that you, Nannie9" hoarse, excited
whisper met her few rods distant from
the horses.
"Sh-l Yes; / never saw man who
could help spelling things by blunders.
There, don't take it to heart, Richard; l
won't-scold you again after'al this until
we aren--
Married"
"Yes; but do not let us hurryi Pm afraid
| every minute that those hogs haven't done
| justice to the obstinacy of their nature,
and father"-
"Well, give me your foot and of we go.
l We'll show Joel Gringer whether / am
competent to teach addition to a girl"
"And are you sure the preacher under
l standsp
"Sure, darling; he's TO be at Brother
Stillwell's tonight, on his way to the Kill
deer appointment. Now, old fellows, do
your best Mr.. Mason told me not tospare