Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-11-19
A HEDGE FENCE.
BY SARAH b. SCARBOROUGH.


called it; but TO the uninitiated it seemed
only possible wind break of tall, thick
set, glossy-leaved Usage oranges.
But, at any rate, il had been set out
for u hedge fence, and il had in reahty
more than fulfilled the intent and purpose
of its owner Nancy Mott.
When old Obed Mott died twenty years
before. the farm was divided into two
equal parts from the back fence to the
highway in front; and young Obed and
Nancy, the only children, took possession
of their respective portions.
Obed chose the half facing the cross
road; and he had also the wood-lot, as an
Offset to the old house and outbuildings
on the main pike, which portion fell TO
Nancy.
He built house, and then brought
home q wife. But Nancy kept the even
tenor of her spinster life in the old
home.
Obed continued to ''work the place" as
he had done for years, carrying on Nan
cy's portion on shares. He kept up her
fences, looked after her stock, and took
care of things generally.
Nothing happened 20 make this other
wiso than satisfactory until, some rears
later, Nancy's cow broke through the
front part of the line fence, and totally
destroyed Obed's garden. The COW was
an unruly creature, and had caused
damage before but this was the last
feather 0bed's wife felt righteously
yexed. The garden had been fine one.
Somethin's always gettin' in" Obed
complained to Nancy that day. you've
got TO get rid of that snoopin' critter,
Nancy, or else somethin's got to GO up
atween us that's boss high, bull strong
an pig proof"
Fences amt immortal, no moren
folks" she retorted, stung by what
seemed sign of wanting interest in her
and her possessions. Yes, it's time
somethin' went up that won't tumble
down if you pint your finger at it,"
Unfortunately, the next thing Obed
did was TO mention the matter of a new
fence at an evil moment, when an advice
si~i..ss- s.iv-,vifs f--s~~-s.-
'Obed, If you have your eve open for
futur troubles, you'll take each one o.
YOU half O. that air line fence, an be
holden fer it, was this relatives pro-
phetic advice.
Prophetic it surely was, for il Obed
had had ian eye out for futur' troubles"
he could not have done u surer thing to
bring them than TO take this advice,
which he did.
front or back, ary one" he said, as he
concluded his suggestion with regard to
division of the fence, having weakly
propped it up by quoting his authority
and reasons for the step.
'1ll take the front half" said Nancy,
sharply, with spasmodic Tightening of
her lips.
The next week tho old fence was
cleared away. during Obed's absence
from home. When he came back an I'M
known workman was blowing a deep
furrow right on the line.
Women don't know nothin'," was
0beds Disguised exclamation, as he first
noted the proceeding from back win
dow. "Ill have TO 60 an see bout
it."
He drew on his boots and went, and
was met by Nancy.
,What air you thinkin' bout, Nancy"
he began.
Bout the fence" she replied, coolly.
well, that amt the way to build
fence"
'Taint? I'd like to know how else
you'd start hedge fenceW
"A hedge fence? You don't mean, TO
shy that you're goin' to set out hedge
fence?"
That's Just what I'm goin' TO do. I'm
goin' TO build somethin' that'll be hoss
high, pig proof and bull strong" she
answered with emphasis.
0bed went away speechless but soon
returned with his wife.
"It'll be just breedin'- place for
snakes said Obeds wife.
II amt afraid of 'em."
It'll take oceans o. money 10 keep il
lookin' anyhow, after it's growed," Obed
argued.
Il nint got nothin' else to lay IL out
on" Nancy returned.
But picket fence would've
ben 30 much nicer" Obed's wife la
mented.
You can put q picket fence long
your half, or a stump fenceor caterpil-
lar rail fence" Nancy snapped. This
is my half now
but you might "a consulted somebody
bout it, seems 10 me" said Obed.
81 don't consult others bout family
matters. she answered. with dry signifi-
canoe.