The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-12-30
1.-TWO OLD FOOLS"

BY FRANCIS c. WILLIAMS.
| Colonel Beebe's hat lay on the
piazza.hoor, and Colonel Beebe him
self, his long, thin legs hanging
from the hammock, was enjoying
indolently his Henry Clay while he
debated whether he should go over
to see the Major now. or wait until
it was cooler. He had just decided
in favor of waiting, when he heard
tramping from the side of the
house.
For a moment he gave it little
attention. Then the long drawn
bay of hound came to his ears
The Colonei's feet dropped to the
floor ard his head was raised
Another howl from the invisible
hound, and he pulled himself to his
feet picked up his hat and turned
down the low stone steps in the
direction of the sound.
As he came around the corner OF
the house, there was a sudden crunch
ing OF the gravel on the driveway,
a below Of mingled lear and anger
and the Colonel was knocked flat
by a yearling heifer which, snorting
its surprise, trailed across the grass
plot, holly pursued by the Colonel's
hound.
The Colonel quickly scrambled to
his feet and looked about for the
cause Of his downfall. He saw the
heifer and the hound. The pursued
was making at top speed for a gap
in the stake and rider fence, where
the crushed rails showed that its
head and feet had been at work.
As his eye fell upon the broken
fence he INDUCED in some highly
favored remarks, and followed them
with an encouraging yell to the
hound. Inspired by this, the dog
promptly bit the heller in the flank
nearly tumbling it over in the gap
of the fence and drawing from it a
bawling cry Of distress. The
Colonel dashed forward to urge on
the hound, but just as he reached
the fence, there was shot from
the bushes, and the hound came
scurrying back, its tail between its
legs. AT almost the same instant
a long legged man emerged from
behind a tree trunk a little way of
and ran forward, all the while
endeavoring ~ pour powder and
shot into the barrel OF the gun
which he carried.
At the fence gap he confronted
Colonel Beebe. There was mutual
start as the men recognized each
other. Then the Colonel recovered
himself Major Hawkin !' he broke
out; | believe you have shot my
hound.
l have done thai very thing re
turned the Major with decision. And
let me add, that l shall repeat the
performance every time iha. hrute
of yours chases my cattle!
The Major and he we're old cronies
and, though both were hot blooded,
they had never had 2 serious fall
ingout, and the Colonel tried hard to
restrain his 5temper. But this was
the third time that the Major S helfer
had broken down the fence separat
ing the properties and made havoc
with the Colonels garden. The
litter felt that patience we'll nigh
had ceased to be a virtue, particu
larly now in view of the Major S
threats.
Major Hawkins he began, and
there was significance in his use cf
the title; have no wish to foment
any trouble; but most positively l
shall not allow that cattle of yours
! on my place again. See that she is
kept off, please! As to shooting my
dog, that Is matter which only an
apology from you can recompense
me for and trust you will render
me one Immediately?
will do nothing OF the kind! The
best thing you can do is to shoot
your whelp and save me the trouble
OF doing so! and the Major tapped
his gun suggestively.
Then all l can say, came slowly
from the Colonel's lips, is that You
are no gentleman!
The Major started as if he hac
been stung. For the instant he die
not realize the import OF the words
Then a dull flush crept in'o hi.
cheeks, usually very sallow, and h'
said concisely: You are liar.
The fatal words were spoken
The color leaped into the Colonel
face, and the Majors flash grew
deeper while his eyes returned tn
J flash in those of the other. The twt
faced each other in silence for
moment. Each was taken abac
that Tor the instant the Insult of tn
other could find no adequate retur
in speech.
Then the Colonel drew himself Il
and said icily;
, You can understand that TIL
means only one thing2
The Major replied with the slight
est Of bows.
have pair ofpistols at my hous
continued the Colonel. With you
permission | will send for then