The National tribune., 1895-12-05

purchasing singing books for the Sunday
school The fences around the homestead
the barnyard, aud, in short, every availabi
place where a horse could be hitched, wa
occupied before the venerable, wall-sweepinl
clock in the kitchen struck nine.
Hart, the Postmaster, who was also
money broker and stock man, and in who's
interest the sale was made, hustled arount
anxiously, wondering 10 everyone he me
whether or no the stock and farm would pay
old man Bayley's obligations. The mel
were offish in their demeanor toward him
while the women snubbed him out and out
The general opinion was that Hart was push
ing the sale prematurely, regardless OF tn
distress it would occasion.
Dunlop, the drover, was there also, crack
ing jokes and cracking his blacksnake, and
with the ADLER farmers, guessing on TIT
/ weight of the cattle and hogs; Temarkini
that lie wanted them, and if he didn't ge
them somebody would pay pretty price fo
them; and then he would look significantly
at Hart and snap his whip at corncob l.
feet away. He also remarked that unles:
the farm went too awful high, he'd buy that
too which remark impelled Ed Bolinge1
to ask him whether be wouldn't buy the
hull Hunnerd- -'n-Two bottom as far dowr
as Hopkins"
wall" replied Dunlop, al wouldn't MIND
ter, if you warnt throwed in case the
calves are crazy for greens, and they'd take
you for airly grass, N then the Sheriff 'ud
| be arter me for murder"
The men laughed at this sally, and Boil
| linger, who was known to be Shiitless, walked
away crestfallen.
The leading lawyer from the Countyseai
| olcn lo do in huu
| with stranger who wore slouched hat
and whose face was covered with heavy
brown beard. The lawyer busted himself
renewing acquaintances, but the stranger
was somewhat reserved. Finally, however
the crowd settled Jwn upon the idea that
he was somebody going to come out as 4
candidate at the next election.
Il wouldn't be surprised N he could make
right smart speech" said Hez Ulm, the
Squire's eldest son.
IF he cal'lates to git the votes of this 'ere
precinck, he'd better be little more friend
y," added Hank Fitzgerald. Candidates
| are expected to shake hands all round"
The sale commenced.
Hear ye! hear ye!" cried the Sheriff;
=" the tarms of this sale is cash in hand
What am bid for this pen of hogs? Start
it along, somebody"
The bidding was brisk, but they finally
went to Danlop.
SO persistent was Dunlop in his bidding
that Hart approached him with: Well,
Dunlop, amt ye agoing to give anybody a
chance but yerself? Mind ye, ye won't get
a days time! Spot cash it is"
Dunlop flashed up at once. "See here,
you Hart. Do yer think nobody has any
money but yerself? A feiler don't hev TO
see through n grindstonc 10 gather yer idea.
Yer cal'lated to hev this ere sale all yer own
way N get things at yer own valeration.
Do yer think the Hundred n. Two settlers all
born fools do yer?n and he looked so dan
gerous that Hartlhurried off to another part
Of the yard.
The upshot was that, with the exception
of few articles that brought an amazing
price, and others of bHt little moment, Dun
lop bid everything off himself He was
noted for bidding on stock at sales. Indeed,
n vendue would have been regarded as a
failure had he not been there. But to find
him bidding on plows and harness and farm
implements, as we'll as household stuff, aston
ished the oldest settlers, as accustomed as
they were TO hear his voice. The stranger,
too, seemed interested in Dunlop's doings,
following him around with apparent curl
osity, and seeming to enjoy his reckless bid
ding.
Daring the sale the crippled Peleg was in
his wheel-chair on the front porch, and by
his side stood Marthy his wife. There was
a rigdity of feature in the old mans face
that made her anxious. As she held his
hand she would whisper consoling words.
One or another of the women would follow
the Sheriff about, and ut every sale would
report the price to Peleg. The amazing
prices the stock brought and the other things
had heartening effect on the old couple,
who now from state of apathetic fear caught
on to state of expeciant hope. Squire Ulm
as the sale progressed. was so elated that he
came to the porch, and says he: Peleg, do
you know the amount of your indebted
ness?"
6 think it lacks little of 50, OOO," replied
Peleg.
"Bless the good Lord, Peleg, the chattels