Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-12-13

~
tell him of Jakes success when the
news first came out.
ayes, knaw, y he answered cheerily,
and with sickly smile which the dull
est witted in Blackville could see
through. "Jake's aw rect, am Jess'll
ha' good un."
Nobody could understand this atti-
| tude. 1t was only morally proper that
fight should come out of the affair.
Therefore, to assist matters, somebody
| kindly suggested that Jake had not
won the girl fairly.
Blackville heads are well known to
be thick. 1t is always difficult for a
new idea to get inside them. Once one
does get in, however, it is just as hard
for it to get out again.
| The idea of treachery ON his friends
part was a long time hammering at
Ned's head. Meanwhile, Ned with
drew himself from the "Maltman and
| Shovel' and went over to the oppose
ton, the "Dun Cow Many judges
said the 'Dun Cow'sn stuff was the
worst in Blackville not only for wash
ing the coal dust out of ones throat,
but for it's effect after it got beyond the
throat. Perhaps this inferior liquor
helped the idea. Anyhow, that idea
got in at last. AT the end of month,
during which Jake was in full favor
with the belle, walking out with her
every night almost, and even being re-
ceived favorably inside the bar parlor-
at the end of month there We're two
groups of miners in Blackville, in
whose hearts the gladness of hope was
springing. One group was backing
Jake, the other Ned, for the prospects
of that for which they hoped grew rosi-
er every day. Ned was passing his old
friend in the street with fierce scoWl
on his face, and Jake was beginning to
return the scowl. The latter had tried
thing which must not be repeated in
Blackville, or you will be misunder-
stood and despised.
Ned, ovid lad" he said one day,
drawing up to him as they left the
mine, "wunnot yo' gil me yo'r hond ?"
Ned turned savage face upon him
and strobe on.
Jake attempted no more Cancellation.
He saw where the thing was drifting
and prepared for eventualities.
So the two groups met, sometimes at
the mailman and Shovel, sometimes
at the ''Dun Cow" and quietly among
themselves talked over the merits of
their respective champions. They made
bets fast and faster, and anticipated as
fine "mill' as had ever gladdened
their eyes. But Blackville heads are
thick, as has been said, and those who
had put the "idea" into Ned scarcely
realized what it's effect might be. A
"little mill" they thought, for which
every one would be the better. No
body desired anything worse.
One day, instead of taking his turn
at the mine as usual, Ned spent the
time at the "Dun Cow" drinking
hard. He was surly and gruff to all
who spoke to him. He was thinking
and reasoning, in the usual thick
headed Blackville way. Seemed to him
if a chap dealt treacherously with his
friend, treachery should be dealt back
When evening had arrived, this view
was so Enthusiastically the correct one
that he left the "Dun Cow with a res
olution in his heart which largely coun-
teracted the effect of the liquor aud
enabled him to go home fairly straight.
Half an hour later or so he was lying
concealed in hollow on RickshaW
Common. four or five feet from a rough
wooden bench, with "a serviceable coal
hammer in his pocket. The road rum
ming near was a lonely one, and was
chosen, as he knew, by Jake and Jessie
III lllCll Wdiho, anu tICy
stopped here and sat on the bench. 1t
1t was moonless November night,
and besides a mist had come up from
the river, SO he had no fear of being
seen. Ned had calculated nicely. He
had not been in his position long before
he caught the sound of voices and foot
steps drawing near. In little while
the forms of Jake and Jess We're seated
on the bench. Ned gripped the handle
of his hammer.
But there was an odd silence just now
between the lovers, and he waited to
hear one of them speak. Jake broke
the silence abruptly, and his first words
fastened SOLDERING up process which
had already begun in the listener.
'Tell thee what, Jessie, | dunnot like
these quarrels, am | wunnot ha' ony
more on 'em. If tina wants Ned th'art
welcome. | wunnot stond i tn way.
Nobbut as | should like to knaw what
| ha' done.n
The girl kicked the earth with her
foot, but did not reply. Jake rose.
'Dunnot be afeart o. sayin' it, lass, y
he went on, not Grossly but tenderly,
sadly. ~ love thee well enow to gil
thee up, if it'll maxi thee happy, an
I'll leave thee wheer tha'rt an tell Ned
tina wants him, not me. NIebbe that
'ud show folks are lynn, too"
"Go and tell him, then ~ answered
Jess, defiantly.
With curt "Goodby," Jake left her.
Ned was almost sober now. Sober
enough, at least, to crawl noiselessly
away from the spot, and fling the MUIR
derous hammer over the common. 1t
was found next day and recognized as
Ned's, but no one ever knew how near
it had come to knocking hole in Jake's
head.
Jake was as good as his word. That
night he sought out Ned, told him of
the quarrel, and babe him ''try his
luck" with the beauty himself.
"I'm nobbut a stranger to her, my
sen," he said, "an' nivver shall be ony
more"
Ned grasped his extended hand and
thus the friendship was renewed.
Blackville folk take the gifts the gods
offer and ask no questions. Ned tried
&c In ;tl