The record-union., 1893-02-17

BY the way, Tom. how is the widow?
have heard she is rather good looking
and the chill lren are cutie bright"
Will leave it TO you TO ind out the
news and to tell ii, too. You are the best
nand ant ngst US Tor that," replied Tom,
ior he knew Peters weakness. Peters
did love little gossip. and he had
not tailed to hear of TOMS frequent calls
at Mrs. Stevens farm, where her wild
owed sister and three children were
visiting.
Peters was nonplussed. He felt that
Tom meant there should be more truth
than poetry in his remark He whistled
the "Rogue's March," keeping time with
his shiny boot.
There was a moments silence, then
Iom resumed, Il wish we were all desert
ers, boys. l am the oldest among you
and tell you bachelors life is not all it
Is SAID to be. 1t does very well while You
are young TO pride yourselves on being a
oach," but when age steals on you need a
friend such as you will find in none other
than wife or a faithful son or daughter
Of course it would not no to offer any adj
vice. You are all too old to take any ad
vice from me, unless Joe Webster here
said"
Don't worry about Joe, Tom. He
means to desert as soon as he can. He is
only awed at present by Browns eccen-
trlcltles, but he will come out all right in
the end"
Joe's color heightened considerably He
mad not taken any part i'll the converse
tlon and hoped to escape unnoticed.
1t was not long before the crowd dis
persed. On their way home Peters re-
marked to Johnson:
81 just believe Tom means to marry
that widow
That is, if he can get her," remark ed
Johnson.
Alone and in another direction walked
Joe webster. His equanimity had been
disturbed. He had looked forward with
pleasure to the banquet, but in some way
1t had fallen short of his expectations.
de was decidedly out of temper. Il de-
clare, don't believe will go to another
of their doings. They are all getting
cranky. As for the dinner, it was very
good; but eff can cook as good dinner
any day. Get wife to share your joys
and sorrows, too 'Awed by Browns
eccentricities.' l wonder if it is any of
their affairs? ''
If he had stopped to analyze his feel
lngs, he would have found that the ILL
success OF his suit was just as annoying
as their words.
Tom had unintentionally touched a very
sensitive chord in Joe's breast. for hardly
SIX months had elapsed since all his
bright hopes had been laid low in the
dust.
Joe and the Browns were neighbors,
and we all know that misunderstand-
lngs Will arise between the best OF neigh
bors.
1t had all come about in such an unex-
pected way. Joe had gone to rebuild a
fence that divided his land from Mr..
Browns. There had been a mistake
made when the fence was built in the first
place, and part of Joe's land lay within
MIR. Browns field.
Mrs. Webster, Joe's mother, had ar
ranged with Mr.. Brown long before her
death, that, as the fence was old and
greatly out of repair, she would build a
new one provided she could place it where
it rightfully belonged.
Joe was busy digging the post holes.
when down came MIR. Brown in one of
his widest tantrums. By the aid of two
canes he hobbled along. These he alter
nately fiourished at Joe, denouncing him
as one of the worst rogues living
Joe tried to explain, but in vain, and
Mr.. Brown went as he came, giving vent
to his fury at every step.
Joe had not had much acquaintance
with Mr.. Brown, but he did admire his
daughter. He had come to consider him
self her proper escort to the little gather
lngs that the village afforded, and for her
sake he resolved to go over the next
evening and have an understanding. He
did so, but found the old gentleman still
moody. Mrs. Brown had numerous
household cares that demanded her atten-
ton. Annie was reserve ITSELF 1t was
evident that they considered him greatly
at fault.
At length he tried to approach the SUBJ
ject OF the fence. Mr.. Brown almost took
his breath away as the old fire cleaned
in his eyes. Il want nothing more to 90
about that fence. Put your fence where
you please. and then L guess we will have
no more to quarrel about"
1t was no use trying to explain, and in
very indignant frame of mind Joe pre-
pared to depart. He had not expected
Annie to look at it as she did. She could
surely see that her father was at fault, he
thought, and he inwardly resolved never
to infict any of them with his company
again-a resolve he had kept for nearly
six months, although he had found it
necessary to renew it frequently.
The next morning after the banquet
Joe slept until the sun was high, and was
only awakened by JEFF storming and
shouting just outside the window. What
could be the matter!
Joe arose, and looking out saw jeff and
the dogs giving chase to three of Mr..
Browns calves.
That old fence again." Joe soliloquized.
Whew! but jeff is angry. Ifthe should
happen to see Mr.. Brown this morning
he would lay the law down for him.
jeff returned, nearly exhausted from
his walk and the excitement.
''Those calves have completely ruined
our garden-eaten the tops off of every
thing. If 1 had caught old Brown out
this morning would have told him-and
in very plain language-that if he had to
mend that fence as often as we do he would
little rather have new one. Did YOU
ever notice he never puts in an appear
ance when that fence is down? Ugh, but
he's contrary old fellow! 1 don't see
how his folks get along with him. No
body else can.
Alter breakfast Joe took his hsmmer
and nails and proceeded across the field,
to take another survey of that fence.
Something must be done about it, but
what his surprise to find Annie there be-
fore him. Spot and Daisy and Cherry
were feeding contentedly in their own
pasture, unconscious of the mischie they
had wrought, while Annie tried to nail an
old board on the broken-down fence.
Joe was completely beside himself
Never mind the fence, Annie" he
said, while he held out his hand.
Tears glistened in her eyes and her lips
trem bled. 81 could not see the calves
bothering you, Joe, and father was too
feeble to come"
Never mind, Annie, we could do
without this fence entirely, if
What had he said, there was an awk-
ward silence. Dare he say any more
Her father should be consulted.
Annie knew what Joe would saw.
Each heart held truth although as yet
unspoken, yet unconsciously each to
other long ago revealed. The sentence
had been commenced; he would not re-
tract now. No, that would be cowardly.
You know what would say. Annie.
Don't you think you had better be my
wife? always hoped you would. L viii
come over and ask your father about it if
Won ONLY saw the word.'