Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-06

violence could be seen. no cause for
the strange commotion could be founa
Some argued that there had been !,
cattle. but there was never any owl
dence to support this theory. Others
advanced the Idea that some myster-
ious. malarial contagion. some deadly
epidemic. had b.oken out and caused
the cries or distress which had driven
terror to the heart OF the Windham VII
layers. This theory, too. mas been
laughed at, and the truth is that the
cause OF the great disturbance has al
ways been dark lmpenetrable
mystery.
The state OF mind OF the townspeopie
the next morning can ba better imag-
med than described. All seemd sick
with humiliation at the ludricrous end
ing OF their frantic fright OF the even
ing before Squire Eldcrkin was par
ucularly mortified, and is reported to
nave suffered q two-weeks sickness
and confinement to his chamber dur
ing which he was said to have ne
quently stated that he had much
rather have lost his scalp than TO have
been the victim OF such huge Joke
II was wonderful how the story OF
the Windham frogs sought out and
found every little nook and corner of
the country. There were no railroads,
Nv N'i'bi hfAAN VI HtMtDuDtIN III lnbHt
days. The stage coach was the only
means OF intercommunication Yet the
story, greatly exaggerated and elabor-
ately dressed up by the Imagination,
was told in almost every tavern in
the land
The Windham wits had been famous
Tor years. Those who had suffered at
their hands now eagerly seized the OPP
portunlty to pay back old scores with
nHnTlnuW AmfRrg4f Ra1luIa
ten, songs Were composed and sung.
and every chance for a practical Joke
was utilized.
Col. Dyer was delegate TO the first
congress held in New York. During
his journey TO that city some wag tied
an immense frog to the rear OF his
carringe. His arrival Is said to have
been greeted with shouts and alughter,
and the joke became the talk OF the
city.
on one occasion Squire Elderkin was
said TO have been making a very
learned and eloquent plea. when some
buffoon raised the shout Of "Cul. Dyer
and Elderkin too In the long drawn
tones which the frogs had made ia
nous, The Judge lost his gravity, the
jury laughed, aud the audience shouted
In the most boistrous manner. The
Squire, famous for his possession,
lost his temper, which greatly added
" Ailt ahliN'illtill VI Nllf bllihbhtIas
The humiliation OF the Wlndhamltes,
however, soon passed away. and they
regained their native shrewdness. Col.
Dyer was the first to turn the tide. He
adopted the bullfrog as coat OF arms.
He had u metal frog made FOR door
lnocker and in various ways showed
his disposition to accept the situation
good naturally.
The Squire soon saw this was the
better way and felt kindly towards the
Colonel for his tact In stcmmlng the
current OF popular persecution, He
ever after accepted any mention OF the
frog story with a smile and apparent
good nature, although It was generally
believed that the smile was forced and
the good nature was entirely assumed
The memorable fright had one good
| effect. Col, Dyer and Squire Elderltin
| became fast friends. Peace and good
will reigned throughout the community,
and the little village has since become
noted for the spirit Of neighborly kind
ness and brotherly love which seems to
hover over 1t and pervade the very
| nir--Fred NJ. Hopkins in Romance.