The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1896-12-24


been a failure. and the last letter from
him had been Il most downhclrted ana
discOulaging one. I'm afraid hes
sick. If he wasn't. it seems's if he
would write. Mr.. Snyder been out
there. they say Bein' so near, when
he he was in A1innesoty, he thought
he'd make Iris sister Marian a visit.
don't jest know what part she lives
in, but mebbe it's near Henry. hope
he see lriIn.''
press the idea THAT it wasn't any credit
to the boy 10 have been seen by man
like his enemy.
The Christmas service was over, and
the Wiil;arases loaded The deacon and
his wife and Mr.. Snyder into their big
double sleigh and set off homeward.
Neither of the two men looked at
each other on seemed to be conscious
of tlle others presence.
My! but it makes me feel crawly,'
said Mrs. Jones to Mrs. Williams. as
she took off her wraps i'm the ''best
bedroom" I'm all OF twibter. I'm
so nervous. l sh'll tremble fer fear OF
what's comm ev'ry time they open
their mouths. l do wish you hadn't
asll'I both of 'em, Mrs. Williams"
Il didn't hardly dare to-" said Mrs.
Williams. but John. he S,id What
was the use O. lertin' their fU3liShness
keep us from bcin' neighborly. He
WAS gofn' to ask 'em. 'en take the
chance O the consequences
Il hope twill ail be peaceable," said
Mrs. Jones. ''but-I kmow 'twon't."
They al sat down to dinner, and
the converse tIion became general, ex-
cept between Mr. Snyder and Deacon
Jones. Not a word did they address
each other They simply ignored each
Others existence.
After dinner the men went out to
tle barn witli Mr.. Williams to look ut
The stock. and Mrs. Jones and Mrs.
| Williams visited" with each other as
| they cleared away THE remains of the
Christmas feast. Mrs. Jones tried 70
be at ease. and not worry, but coming
events cast their shadows before"
and She fd!t '.Grat he fears were sure TO
be realized. 1t was simply a question
Of time
The men came in from tie barn and
sat down. Conversation tagged for 1
limo IL f1-ita Elyr'v To do ,r,c,, a,
men who are not in the lrIbft OF wis
iting" wCmen-Hisl.lion. The awkward
silence thlt eLsueJ was at lenSt,
broken by Mr.. WiEilams, who asked
W[la't LIS guests thought about the new
town hall that WQS to be built
Il haven't heard anything about it,
said Mr. Snyder Its all been talked
UP sonce | went away. Where's it go
ing to be:''
''On the DUsenberry corner" re-
Flied Mr.. Williams.
'Tint's Il good place for it, said NJ
Snyder, arprovingiy. a very good
pace. The best place in town."
Mrs. Jones felt her face getting
pale with dread of what was coming.
The Dusenbewy corner was where Mr.
Snyder wanted the new church bIilt
She glanced at the deacon. His face
was red, and she knew by look by
him that he was preparing for bat
tie royal.
what do you think about it, dea-
con?" asked Mr.. Williams, rot aware
thai he was precipltating matters.
The deacon cleared his throat and
blew his nose with il blast THAT was
like the sound of Il trumpet urging on
to confbar.
'All l have to say is. eff anyb0dy'S
fool enough to want the town hal
built on that site. they hain't got sence
enough to last 'tm over night. | shin
oppose it. sir! | won't consent to hey
The funds o the town squanlered in Il
brildin' put in sedh Il pace as THAT.
"Of course you'll oppose it," said Mr..
Snyder, glaring at his opponent. Every
body that knows YOU'LL expect that.
But that's all the good twill do. Fcks
hev got their eyes opened in the last
ten or dozen year. n they amt
a-goin' TO be bulldozed as they usel to
be. l allays said the Dusenberry cor
ner was the best site in town f,f a
church or any other public brifdin'. m
| reddy to back my opinion with
money. The town halls goin' .o be
built, N it's gOin' to be built ca the
Dusenberry corner, too
Il think that's the place for it my
sGf." said Mr.. Williams. rather faint
ly though. for he was frightened at rha
prospective quarrel he had innocentlv
Iaved the way for.
''Of course you'll oppose it," s.,id Mr..
"Oh, yes, of course!' cried the
wrathy deacon. "Of course you do.
see now why was asked to come here
to Dinner. 1t was 10 give that man a
chance to brOwbeat me. You wanfed
to let me know that you sided in with
him. That's all right. If a man wants
10 let folks know that he's made a
fool Of himself there's no law agtnst it
that l knows Cf. But there ain't any
law that obleeges a man to set stil'n
be run on II crowd over. s know OF.
MHndy, I'm goin' home. iOu cain
come with me. or stay m 49, a naml
in abusin' me jest as you think best
And the angry deacon strobe out of
the room, banging the door behind
him. Mr.. Williams followed him into
the hail and tried to prevent him 60
ing. but lie was obdrIrate. Go he would
and go he did. leaving poor Mrs. Jones
TO follow at her leisure
Il knew how 'rwould be- she said,
as she wiped her eyes as she bade Mrs
WLrtanrs goodbye. Il ain't mite
s'pridse at the way it's turned out
sh'd ha' been dretful disappointed ef
t hadn't haPpened.'
Just as .ihe reached THE gate of her
home Il no.ghl,or drove up and called
Out that he had lei'ter for her.
''From Henry, | reckon" he said.