Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-05-12
Mechannsbwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday May H. 1892.
A RACE BEQWBBN HOOP
and TONGUE.

We'll? ? IN decidedly testy tone. was
the greeting Old Joel Gringer gave the
tall young schoolmaster, who stood
fumbling the latch of the front gate.
But it wasn't we'll. That wasn't the
right way to encourage the young man,
and shrewd old Joel Gringer knew It,.
lie wanted to make him 60 through the
torture of telling him plainly that he
had come to see his daughter, 80 that
he could put an end to the thing then
and there.
HIM! I-I--just wanted 10 know if
Miss-hm-hm-is at home and the
young fellow relieved his nervousness
by digging up the gravel walk with his
left toe.
Il thought your business was to teach
the children to speak the English Ian
guagc, and here you cant do anything
but hum and haw. I'm at home and
so is the Growler there. Anything
else {?
No, sir with loud ahem | was
just going up the road to Mr.. Mason's
and | wanted to know if the family
were all well-that's all AND the
bashful young fellow seemed to have
found his wits somewhere, for he turned
coolly away.
The old farmers eyes were not so
sharp as be prided himself they were,
or he might have seen the flntter Of
something white, three distinct times,
from the narrowest opening IN the
blinds above, and have guessed why the
young man was so easily satisfied.
He watched the straight, 1.-the young
form until 1t seemed only a shadow
against Neigbor Mason's barn.
Gone on to Mason's,' was his grutf
answer 10 his wife's questioning look.
Only wanted t. inquire after the health
of the family. S'pose be thinks the de-
strict is assessed to pay him for going
round and dom that-ha, ma! Well
see how his fractions will work in this
house. Much good 1t Will do him to
talk it over with John Mason, the old
'Sh-! Kissed cautious y INTO his
ear, and warning finger told him to
leave uncompl1mentary reference to the
neighbor-with whom he had been en-
broi)cd IN Il bitter lawsuit, and between
whose farms devils lane prevented
any joining of line fences-unsaid.
There's Mason's hired man again.
'Well?'
THE old man sent me over to say
them there hogs O yourn's been into
the back corniield again and he won't
turn them out till doomsday nor let me.
They're there yit an making the inter
est on $4,000 fly like sixty-that s what
the old man lows The field II fetch him.
Better not take that there pup along,
had We? Hi! wait till | can get out I
The last exclamation was caused by
for enchanting the huge
bulldog, Growler and Ben Stone made
one leap over the fence.
Said my say out. Hen and the
dogs witnesses enough, reckon, to the
scrimmage there'll be. Laws. but
there'll be smash to pay for to night.
su1e's my names Ben Stone.
In Il hollow in the road, not twenty
rods from Joel Gringers house, the
thick green turf by the wayside served
rs cushin for the feet of two FESTIVE
steeds that would stamp at the trouble.
some flies. The Merry fellows-two Of
he most tireless travellers John Mason's
stable could boast-c hamped their bits
and tossed their heads.
Adown the green. thorny breastwork
hat defended Joel Gringer's possessions
from the wayside grazers fitted slight
figure, croucblng and halting, and then
iartlDg swiftly forward toward the lit.
tie dell which seemed to be the rendez
vous sought.
is that you, Mamie 2 u hoarse, excl.
ted whisper met her few rods distant
rom the horses.
'Sh-! Yes; but do let us hurry up!
IN afraid every minute those hogs
haven't done justice to the obstinacy of
heir nature. and, father
We'll, give me your foot and of we
go. Well show Joel Gnnger whether
am competent to teach girl addi-
ion.'
And are you sure the preacher I'M
1erstands !?
Sure, darling, he's to be at Brother
StlllwelPs tonight on his way to the
Kildeer appointment. Now, old fell
ows, do your best
Patter, patter. click, click! Neck
% nek and postril to nostril skinned
the two fleet coursers, like two we'll