The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-11-28


~. s3tfSatY, 81 shall!
yTSSs ~ didn't make this
~-sss ssSszssss garden for the
Z: E;z=s benefit Of tn c
neighbor5' hens,
and I will kill one
III can. Just see Shat-and that!'
Her indignant finger indicated the
Tomatoes lyiag in red ruins at he,
feet, then the ragged corn that rose
forlorniy further on. The curran
bushes were still stirring where the
last marau0er had scuttled through.
Sylvia suddenly smiled.
''Auntie, it's fowl theft, she said.
cit is-and, as I can't stop it by
fair means, I'll try fowl" responded
Miss Barbara, g1imly. beginning with
restrained vigor to gather up the
pecked tomatoes and lay them on the
grape trellis.
':Are you prepared to 50 to law,
auntic?''
Il AIN prepared to do anything-on
my side Of the fence. Go in to your
embroidery, Sylvia--you're Of no
use as a scarecrow.
She waved her trowel martially,
and Sylvia fed in laughing haste.
The silence that is vocal With birds
ana insects and ruseling leaves settled
over the garden, where Miss Barbara s
energetic figure bade defiance to the
thermometer. Charles Dudley War
ner once spent a summer in a garden,
and has remarked in consequence that
ne likes reighbors and likes chickens,
but ne does not think they ought to
be united. Miss Barbara agreed with
him warmly. She endured much be-
fore informing he=ze-=5:ss:'1zs z=ze-=5ss:' 1zssJ =:soins
ncfgL5oT Of the mischief his hens
wrought daily in her garden. She had
endured more since the complaint, Il
complaint it could be called, mad
proved a failure, and neither faith,
hone nor charity remained to soothe
her soul. Suddenly an inquirins
sscIuck'' struck her ear with the effect
of an electric battery. It came from
the other side OF the fence. 4 yellow
feathered head protruded through the
pickets, the round, unwinking eyes OF
. hen surveyed the premises, another
serene ::cluck" sounded, and Tie
plump boly followed the head. Miss
Barbara cautiously arose, her express
sion full OF martial fire.
Unconscious Of impending evil the
invaders wrigglea their way through
until a large and cheerful company
had assembled. In pleasant expect
ancy they gathered around the laden
tomato vines. Suddenly and with
vengeful force missile descended
into their very midst. Squawking
wildly, the startled hens scuttied into
the currant bushes, under the tomato
plants, among the corn. A pause
equal to legislative deadlock fol
lowed. Then one hen after another
cautiously emerged and presently
cravitatca toward the tomato vines.
Again Miss Barbara seized on ven
geance anl the stove wood. Stick
after stick Of it flew, like kind ol
hail. telling upon the tomatoes if no;
uoon the Leus Miss Barbara was not
unaware of the facts in the case, but
felt that if she could not kill it was 4
relief to trv. One audacious old heL
in particular aroused this murderou;
feeling. Down the grape walk, over
the beet bed, up to the door sht
chased that hen and SHE'D her las
stick after it as it tapped Wild.
around the corner. To her horror 6
sharp ejaculation in mans voice Gu
the air. Her final effort had made al
impression, but not upon the hen,
She turned the corner hastily and be
held 6 stranger pressing both hand
against his battered head as he looked
savageIv at her. CONSERVATION, con
triton, modification, animated hel
countenance; self-mastery slowl.
calme0 bis.
Did you hit one, auntie? hop
its that old rooster!' sounded sud
denly from the woodshed. The fac
OF the stranger turned ghastlv.
II thought it was man lived i
the moon," he murmured. "ha
made YOU lurl it al me?%
Mss Barbara's face grew whAtc
Was this an ESCAPED lunatic? IN
mans fading eyes frightened as the
feI upon Sylvia.
"Hle dowerS OF paradise, " nc WINS
rered, and threw his arms out unce.
tainly. NO. it hurts too much t
pick them" he .outtered, and san
with groan upon the steps.
Srt7ia's vide, startled eyes ms
Barua-a's The latter laid her 1inge
oa i:r lips and rnoIioned towards tn
Ky, mouse. Within tive minutes seN
c-Ai :.~i-hoors had gathered aroun
Il: .,,ostrate man, wko appeared III
v,.:l>"::yus unless toached, when b
ev.aced thorough knowledge Of DO,
jng. Tie doctor o. lis arrival i