The state capital., 1892-09-17
ID. Indeed th ere were some of


its sacred associations w;ss torn d9 Tv
and replaced by Il modern dwelA-=-1
quite prctcntious in its architecture
Children they had, but all were mar
ricd and had left the parental roof.
And, now on the shady side of sixty,
Farmer Jones and wife decided III
would be better to sell part OF the
farm ana so relieve themselves OF
portion of their burdens and RESPONSE
bilities. Josiah Pendleton stood ready
to otal1e the west lot fifty acres) at SIX
tv dollars an acre. and when Darius
called one day and announced that ne
was ready to draw ''writin's," the con-
vevance was quickly made and the
money paid over Three thousand dol
lars! Quite enough to tempt the cupid
itv and excite the avarlce OF certain
worthless characters of that nelghber-
hood. So reasoned Mrs. Jones, and al
though Darius did his best to reassure
| that nervous little body, his Efforts
| were far from successful
"There amt soul as knows a thing
about it, 'ccpt Josiar and his folks, an
/ cautioned em, over and over agln,
| not to say word about it. p"
"What can't be cured. must be en-
dured." was Mrs Jones' philosophic re-
ioinder. 81 shan't enjoy Ii nights rest,
| though. till we're we'll rid ont"
Farmer Jones was not in the least
addicted to nervousness. On the con
trarv, he was the very soul of self
nossession and reliance. The feminine
timidity of Mrs. Jones was, however
not without a certain effect on her hus
band.
81 b'reve I'll just put a charge dowr
the old gun and set it where it'll hf
handy" he remarked, just before bed
tune, and stepping into an adjoining
closet he brought out a formidable
looking musket, a big powder-horn,
bag of shot and some waterproof caps
Darius examined the gun critically
blowing into the muzzie with sucl
force that his checks bulged out lik
those Of the fat man in the dime mu
scum.
eff anv O. them tramps try to burgl
me I'll make it mighty interesting TO
,em." said our hero, as he finished hi
inspection of the arm and poured
heavy charge Of powder into his broa
palm.
DO be keerful Darius, expostulatc
Mrs. Jones' 81 was in hopes I'd sec
the last o that gun last spring whe
| YOU came in with your nose bleedir
and your lip all swelled up afte
shootin' that cat"
Il killed the cat, anyhow" said tn
old man, little testify. can kllle
q bar with it, onct too. Tha old gl
will kick a leetle, but it'll shoot equ;
to any Of their newfangled ones" An
drawing out the iron rod, he drove tt
paper wadding home with vigor tn;
was positively startling, and fitting IL
cap on the tube he stood the weapo
/ against the bureau in the bedroom an
where he could reach it from the be
"Thar. mother; 'forewarned is for
armed Mebby your stewin' hahn
4 took the exact form of a ,warnin', b.
it'll answer the purpose jest as weIL
reckon and Darius gaZed thoughtful
into the fire.
The conversation naturally turned
;. the change their business affairs h;
III taken. and before they were aware
the lateness of the hour the big clos
in an adjoining room had struck twel'
|. | with its slow and measured stroke
= The old farmer gave vent to his surpri
Ja in q long-drawn whistle. Il declal
Or mother. hadn't any idea it was
'A late" he remarked with q slee'
!, yswn, Guess we'd better 60 to be