The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-26
TOM PERKINS, STRATEGY.
He Shot the Old Man in His own
Melon Patch.
BY ]. A. Boles

/ ne ShOl inc Olu IN MS OWM
| Melon Patch.
BY ]. A. Boles.
Tom Perkins was 16 years old at
the close of the civil war. He was the
only child of a thrifty husbandman who
owned a first class well-stocked farm,
clear of mortgage, and, as every intelli-
gent and industrious farmer in New Eng
land could make plenty of money in New
England at the time the youth had no
notion of leaving a good and sure thing
for an uncertainty in city.
Toms mother was indulgent to him end
had the usual mothers faith that he would
become a successful man. But his father.
was critical, and frequently disturbed the
boys peace of mind by cutting remarks.
"You know" he said to his wife, that
he is an only son, and if we amt careful
he'll be spoiled. You're too easy with
him.
Nonsense, James," his wife replied
| 'The boys all right, and will be IL only
you'n stop hectoring him
You're just like the rest OF the wo-
men. They are the first to see faults in
| other folks children, but can never see
any faults in their own children"
Mr. Perkins temper was not improved
| by the discovery that thieves had again
visited his fine melon patch. He vowed
vengeance and loaded his gun with
heavy charge of bird shot. He called Tom
| and told him he must stand guard during
the coming night.
Its going TO rain, and I don't want
to get wet through for the sake of saw
ing a few melons,"
"Why don't you speak out straight
and say you want to save yourself from
harm. You're a coward. I've long sus-
/ har to
bear, for the Perkins family have al
ways been noted for their bravery. You're
the first one to sully the honor of The
name"
81 am no coward" replied Tom. indig
nantly. "In show you, rain or no rain,
that I've got as much grit as you have.
All I'll ask for is your rubber boots and
an umbrella besides the gum
You can have them; but I'll warrant
youth not dare stick it out
At his customary hour for. retiring Mr..
Perkins went to bed, but he was uneasy,
and in half an hour informed his wife that
| he was going to dress himself and go out
to test the boy.
Mr. Perkins went out doors and into the
melon patch Tom stood ready behind
! tree The rubber boots were too large,
but they kept his feet dry and the big UNI
brella afforded good general protection from
| the rain, which was now descending quite
| brisk,y.
There was a fun MOON and as the clouds
were not Dense it was possible for the
| boy to see large objects several rods dis
! tant. The strange figure attracted his at
/ tention, and he resolved that he would not
| finch He was nerved to do his duty by
! Che thought that Amanda Brown, a pretty
girl who lived on the next farm, would
| learn that ne was not a coward.
Promptly Tom raised his gun, and taxi
! ing good aim, fired the left barrel. The
old man jumped yelled murder, and ran
| for the wall. Tom had been instructed to
make clean job and he let his worthy
sire have the other barrel.
1t was enough. The Old man crawled to
! the house and sent for the doctor, listening
meekly meanwhile to a curtain lecture
| from his wife, who perceived that he was
not dangerously injured.
MIR. Perkins soon recovered but he was
ever after a little lame. He was wont to
| tell the story with mingled air of pride
| in his son and of sadness for himself. His
| concluding remark invariably was that
'ororn was a true Perkins, after ALL"
The deed. while 1t subjected Mr. Perkins
| to deserved ridicule, gave the boy an en-
viable local renown. Amanda once more
| sm,ld upon Tom and permitted him to es-
| cort her every Sunday evening to and from
| church
| Amanda was an orphan and lived with
! her brother Tobias ten years older than
herself. lie was known as a "shiftfess
| fellow" He was lazy and careless, and
| failed TO make from the farm the living it
was CAPABLE OF yielding. His Objectionable
ways were a sore trial to the thrifty MI.
| Perkins, and he was especially provoked
by the unconcern with which Tobias al
lowed his cattle to stray from his own
premises The fence or rail that they
/ hal %
through or jumped over. The result was
| that they were in Mr.. Perkins pasture as
| often as in those OF their owner. The old
| farmer demonstrated IN vain; shiftless To-
bias either laughed at him or swore at
| him for a change.
Since the shooting affair Tom had stood
high in his fathers respect. and recipro-
Gated by smpathizing with his worthy pa
rent in his quarrel with Brown. He could
| hardly do otherwise, although the alter
cation was awkward because he was in
| danger Of mourning the enmity of the
brother of Amanda. his interest in the girl
having become more than friendly.
But something must be done TO stop the
! cattle from marauding his fathers farm.
\ The neighbors advised various things.
ranging from a su.t-at-law TO. sound
| thrashing of the cattle or Tobias, or both
the beasts and their owners. The lrate
Mr.. Perkins listened favorably TO the adj
| vice but on account of the persuasions OF
Tom RETAINED from INDUCING In serious
| hostilities.
| At last Tom who was shrewdly waiting
for the right opportunity, saw how he
| could do something smart. One day as he
was driving home Browns predatory ami
MAJ he met a tramp who asked for work.
Yes. l can give you a job. I'm just
| starting to drive these cattle to larry
Vile. You go on with them while I sad
| die up and follow on horseback. Got
some little chores to do and may not
catch you for a while, but you get right
I'm Bound O nverInle Won ennnn filln..