Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-04-27

Esquire Israel Longacre, VINO got his
title from having been at one time n
country magistrate, was about sixty
years of age, of rotund figure and
strong constitution.
Ee carried his years well, and
although possessed OF naturally kind
neart, WAS at times subject to violent
attacks OF cio er, during which periods
oftemporary insanity he would neither
reason himself nor listen to tho rea-
sonip2 OF Others
de married, late in lie, very esti-
mable lady, and had one daughter-a
beautiful and accomplished girl who,
at the time of which write, WAS just
budding into womanhood.
The squiro's wife had died four wears
previous, and since that time his house.
hold affairs mad been managed by his
only unmarried sister, n lady of un.
certain age, spare figure and yinegary
temper.
The squire albeit all people and
all things were usually sub5ervient to
mis- will-had e mortal dread OF his
spinster sister, and q wholesome re-
spect ior her sharp tongue.
She had absolute control OF house.
ho,d matters, and as tne squire never
interrered with her arrangements, the
PAIR got along very nicely together.
BoFh loved the beautiful girl who
had grown up to womlnhool under
their eyes, aud tho helrG OF the old
squire could always be approached
through Nellie, WAC was the image OF
her dead Other.
Che daughter AMI her aunt-who
reioiced III The name OF Dorothea
Longacre-never quarrelel, and taken
altogether. the Longacre household
machine moved smoothly.
The Longacres' nearest neighbor
was Colonel Anson Shortrool, VINO at
one period OF his life rode ut the head
OF valiant regiment of militia.
The colonel was widower of long
standing, mis- excellent spouse having
departed this life sevetal years ago,
leaving to him, as a legacy, boy,
now grown INTO manhood, who was
named AnsoD, junior, after his father,
anu WIZ NUo " iAOuSi VI AuuuStrJ anu
sooriety.
The colonel's household goddess was
q buxom widow, Mrs. Abigail Sloan,
who was related to the head of the
bou:ehold by marriage, heing the only
sister of his late consort.
tnhe colonel was filty.five or there
abouts, was tall. angular and bony,
and disposed to be unrelenting and
unyielding in disposition.
Che colonel and tho squire had lived
neighbors for thirty years, and up to
about SIX months previous to the
occurrence !. an about to describe,
were warm friends.
They fell out over trifing matter.
THE colonel owned fine flock OF
merino sheep, of which he was very
proud. The squire was the possessor
of large mastiff dog, OF whose in
telligence and good qualities he was
always boastiue.
One night au animal, supposed to
be sheep-killing dog, broke into the
coionel's fold. killed Il valuable buck
and mangled several ewes.
When the doughty military chief
tain discovered mis- loss ne was furious,
and stormed in true soldierlv style.
"What dog could have done it?"
inquired the son, who mad been at
tracted TO the spot by his fathers
storm OF words.
"Why, that cur of Squire Long
acre's," pawled his father. "de shall
pay me heavy damages, or I'll have
the law on him"
''l don't think" began the son.
"WeiI, don't think, then !" beloved
his father. "l'll do the thinking"
"But-"
''Shut up!" roared the colonel,
frothing at .he mouth
And young Anson was silent.
The coloAel hurried back 10 the
house for his cane, aud in few min
ntes was hiriding across the field in
tho directiol OF Squire Longacre's
mansion
"What's The matter with your
father" asked buxom Mistress Sloan,