St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-01-09
A HEDGE FENCE.
BY SARAH B. SCARBOROUGH.

A hedge fence was what Nancy Mott
called it; but to the uninitiated it seemed
only possible wind.break of tall, thick
s2.-glossy-leaved Usage oranges.
But, at any rate,it had been set out
| for hedge fence, and it had in reality
more than fulfilled the intent and purpose
of its owner, Nancy Mott.
When old Obed Mottdied twenty years
before. the farm was divided into two
equal parts from the back fence to the
highway in front; and young Obcd 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.
lie built house, and then brought
home a 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, carving on Nan
cy's portion on shares. He kept up her
fences, looked after her stock, and took
care of things generally.
Nothing happened to make this other
| wise than satisfactory until, some years
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. Obed's wife felt righteously
vexed. The garden had been fine one.
Somethin's always gettin in Obcd
complained to Nancy that day. "1ou've
got to get rid of that snoopin' critter,
Nancy, or else somethn's got to 90 up
atween us that's boss high, bull strong
an pig proof. an
Fences amt immortal, no morc'n
folks" she retortcd, stung by what
seemed a 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 new
fence at an evil moment, when an advice
giving relative Of his wife was present. -
"Obcd, if you have your eye 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-
phctic advice.
Prophetic it surely WIS, for if Obed
had had ian eye out for fltur troubles -
he could not have done a surer thing to
bring them than to take this advice,
which he did.
He went to Nancy. "You can take
front or back, airy one he said, as he
concluded his suggestion with regard to
q division Of the fence, having weakly
propped it up by quoting his authority
and reasons for the step.
i'klltak the front half : said Nancy,
sharply, vi sTasmodic tightening of
her lips.
The next week the 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
Obeds Disguised exclamation, as he first
noted the proceeding from a back win
dow. IN have to go 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 a
fence
" faint? I'd like to know how else
vnu'd start q bpdre fpOcet'
"A hedge fence: You don't mean to
say that you're goin to set out hedge
fcnce?"
That's just what I'm goin to do. I'm
goin' to build somethin' that'll be boss
high, pig proof and bull strong" she
answered with emphasis.
Obed went away speeches but soon
returned with his wife.
It'll be just breedin'- place for
snakes" said Obed's wife.
II amt afraid of 'em!'
It'll take oceans O. money to keep it
lookin' anyhow. after it's growed," Obed
argued.
Il amt got nothin' else to lay it out
on" Nancy returned.
''But picket fence would:ve
ben 50 much nicer" Obed's wife Ia
mented.
"You can put q picket fence long
your half, or stump fence or caterpil-
lar rail fence" Nancy snapped. This
is my half now
"But you might a. consulted somebody
bout it, seems to me-" said Obed.
81 don't consult others bout family
matters she answered, with dry signifl-
Iance.