The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-07-22

The truth was that Joe had thrown
brIckbat at Polly's cat the night be-
fore, and without really intending to do
so. had hit her and knocked her out Of
his favorite peach tree, and had felt
rather mean about it ever since.
"Well. don't know" Jonessy replied,
cautiously. for he could see that Joe
had something on his mind, and
thought to draw him out You see,
Joe. the right and the wrong generally
depends on the circumstances attend
Ing the case,S
That's what | reckoned," said Joe,
"You see / saw her coming through
the fence, and tried to make her go
back"
"And she wouldn't go?"
mo"
"What did you do next"
"Soon as / spoke she ran up that
peach tree. and went to clawing and
scratching the bark"
''She did. eh?"
"She did. Then I got mad, like a
fool" said Joe, hanging his head. Il
picked up a brickbat and threw it at
her. and down she came. kicking her
legs like drumsticks."
Didn't she say anythingY' asked
Jonessy.
"Who?"
"Why, Polly May, of course"
"You didn't think that 1t was Polly
treated that way, did you" asked Joe.
mo, hardly. But who was it?'
'lt was rolly's cat JCne. sy. / thought
that perhaps Polly had seen 1t, and
gone to you and entered complaint
against me-"
mo, she hasn't done 1t yet, Joe. but
| there Is no telling how soon she may do
So" said Jonessy. Then he added, con-
fidentially "If | were you I'd go over
and see her and settle the whole thing
out of court"
After Jonessy left him Joe stood and
scratched his head for some time. The
whole thing was puzzle to him. Had
Jonessy known more than he pretend
ed? If so. had Polly told him? And If
Polly had, was it at her suggestion that
Jonessy had come and told him to 60
and see herr
1T is ten years since we spoke" he
| IL Il
ing bird was singing blithely In a tree
close by.
Then suddenly he burst out laughing.
1.-The idea Of Polly climbing a tree" he
cried. And me throwing brickbats at
her, and she falling-ha- -ha-hav'
But Jonessy walked homeward tn
quite different mood. Somehow he
felt that his mission had been rather q
failure. Still, every once In awhile, a
CLEAN Of hope darted upward and he
thought that he could see fee of office
afar off.
AS ne walked along. musing and
dreaming he found himself suddenly
face to face with q woman carrying a
huge basket on her arm.
How do you do, Judge?" she cried,
cheerily, letting her basket down to the
ground. II was real glad to hear that
you was elected"
THANK you, Polly. was just think
ing about you when you bobbed up
said Jonessy. "Have just been over to
see your neighbor, Joe Peterman, and
was on my way home with my thoughts
full of both of you"
| IlO"ucus
"Joe isn't going to have me to court
Is he?" she asked.
Cant say. Polly. I reckon that de-
pends as much on you as on him."
"Well, be had no business coming In
through the window like he did," Polll
cried. "It served him only right that
the window fell down on him like II
did and caught him by the leg. O1
course, when I grabbed him by the
throat to keep him from squalling, ant
he cut me on the wrist / was mad
enough to kill him. But kept my tenn
per. and l didn't hurt him any more
.. than l could help" she protested.
But Joe didn't" Jonessy began.
"Of course Joe didn't. Joe neyel
would listen to reason" cried Polly.
But. Polly. joe" Jonessy begaI
again.
"That's all right, Jim Jonessy: 20,
have Joe's side Of the story, and an
going to tell mine," cried Polly. "Aftel
got him loose 1 bothered with him al
| day, and doctored him. and that night
after dark, carried him in my arms
to the fence and set him down on the
other side"
Goodness, Polly, you don't mean tt
tell me that you carried him In YOU
arms?" Jonessy exclaimed.
"Well, just did, and JV >~ear to i
before Joe or anybody"