The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-30
TWO OLD FOOLS.

Will uOIlSiuA IrOIll bl6 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 trampling from
she side of the house.
For moment he gave it little attention.
Then the long drawn bay Of Il hound came
to his ears The colonel's feet dropped to
the floor, and 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 sudden crunching of the
gravel on the driveway, a below of min
gled fear and anger, and the colonel was
knocked fat 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,
INDUCED in an appropriate amount of pro-
family and looked about for the cause of
his downfall. He saw the heifer and the
hound. The pursued was making at top
speed for q gap in the stake and rider fence,
where the crushed rails showed that it's
Q6aQ dllU lGSt uau UeSn dU WOrk.
AS his eye fell upon the broken fence, he
again INDUCED in some highly favored re-
marks and followed them with an encour-
aging yell to the hound. Inspired by this,
the dog promptly bit the heifer in the flank,
nearly tumbling it over in the gap of the
fence and drawing from it 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, it's
tail between it's legs. At almost the same
instant long legged man emerged from
behind tree trunk little way off and ran
forward, all the while endeavoring to pour
powder and shot into the barrel of the gun
which he carried.
At the fence gap he confronted Colonel
Beebe. There was a mutual start as the
men recognized each other Then the colo
mel recovered himself. major Hawkins"
he broke out, II believe you have shot my
hound?"
81 have done that very thing" returned
the major with decision. "And let me add,
sab. that shall repeat the performance
every time that brute of yours chases my
cattle"
The major and he were old cronies, and
though hot blooded they had never had
serious falling out, and the colonel tried
hard to restrain his temper. But this was
the third time that the majors heifer had
broken down the fence separating the prop
critics and made havoc with the coloneps
garden. The latter felt that patience well
nigh had ceased to be virtue, particularly
now in view of the majors threats.
major Hawkins!'' he began, and there
was significance in his use of the title II
have no wish to foment any trouble, but
most positively shall not allow that cat
tie OF yours on my place again. See that she
is kept off, pleased AS to shooting my dog,
sab, that is a matter which only an apology
from you can recompense me for, and I
trust you will render me one immediately?"
Il will do nothing Of the kind! The best
thing you can do is to shoot your whelp
and save me the trouble of doing sol" and
the major tapped his gun suggestively.
"Then all can say,'' came slowly from
the colonePs lips, sis that you are no gentle
mani"
The majcr started as if he had been
stung. For the instant he did not realize
the import Of the words. Then a dull flush
crept into his cheeks, usually very sallow,
and he said concisely, You area liar, sahr'
The fatal words were spoken. The color
leaped into the colonel's face, and the ma
jor's flush grew deeper, while his eyes re-
turned the fash in those of the other. The
two faced each other in silence for mo-
ment. Each was so taken aback that for
the instant the insult of the other could
find no adequate return in speech.
Then the colonel drew himself I'D and
said icily:
ttYnn md hot
only one thing?"
The major replied with the slightest of
bows.
Il have a pair of pistols at my house."
continued the colonel. with your permits
sion will send for them. The sooner this
is settled the better"
The major inclined his head trifle, and
the other turned and called: ''Israel! Is
raelp'
There was no reply, and again he raised
his voice. This time there was an answer
ing cali and a shutting of feet which grad
ually became more distinct. A little later a
white haired old darky came into view.
'D'yo call, marse kunn'l?" he asked,
stopping at the edge of the bushes and
scraping with one foot while he fingered a
battered straw hat.
GeiO UliC COiouCl. 4Oll Know
those pistols of mine in my dressing case?
Fetch them to me-"
''Yo dewelin pistils?"
eyes. Be quick"
The darky looked at the men in turn.
He noted the attitude of each and the look
In their faces.
"Yo amt goin t. fight, marse?" ne ven
tured anxiously, not moving.
THAT'S none Of your business, you ras-
| cal" thundered the colonel. COP
An instant the darby stood, nervously
| playing with his hatbrim Then he turned
| and moved away
| The two men did not look at each other.
| Somehow they disliked to. The major
| stood his gun against the fence and took a
| long time to arrange it to his liking The
colonel stripped the leaves from twig he
broke from bush. Each had his back
toward the other The minutes went by.
| But at last there was a slow step, and Is
rael came up. He came reluctantly, as if
he hoped that time would cause them to
change their minds He looked hopefully
at them, but saw no encouragement. Both
the colonel and the major appeared as cool
ly determined AS could be, though the color
1 L.