Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-09-19

d raGamuflin OF a boy hand him pa.
per. swing the horses head round and
plunge down the bank. Raising the
lamp above his head, the old man read
the paper. He read a second time, as
If to make sure Of the contents, and
then, lifting his head like hound
when II bays, he uttered series of
yells that the ridge gave back with
many reyerberatlons. The next mo.
ment he was In the house, and the
next outside with the leap OF spring
box. Areport followed. He had fred
the gun. Bangl II went again. Rapidly
reloading, he discharged both barrels
and kept on firing until he had saluted
the wilderness and the night eight
times.
Say, stranger, come out o. thar" he
shouted at the wood shed. 81 aInt
a-goin' to hurt nary hair on yer head"
came bewildered into the living
room, my face dripping with perspira-
ton. He seized me in his arms and
Rugged nle until gasped.
!. .sisses AZ thptr' he said, thrusting
Into my hands the paper the boy had
brought.
| read
Eph Holland, Head OF Beaverkill Creek:
Blaine comedies New York to Cleveland.
lie is elected beyond all doubt. Shakel
ED BARNES.
Editor Sullivan County Palladium.
And before could say anything or
ask any questions Eph Holland broke
Into n Jig step, the while yelling like
u Comanche.
"Llkker up, you son o. gum he
roared at me, stopping from shortness
of breath. He filled my glass and n
tumbler for himself.
Here's to Groverl' he said. Drink
'er down"
| did not know what my politics
was Mt that moment, but | drank, and
the stuff sent the blood back to my
heart.
Don't you think it's up TO you TO ex
plalnY' said |, with slclsly smile,
when he had drained his tunbler.
The old man dropped into chair,
threw back his head and guffawcd
until his mrth ended in violent 1T of
coughing.
ooh, myr he bcgnin and went off
Into another explosion.
did not hugh The old fellows
manner had changed so completely, he
had become so friendly, Jovlal and
altogether human with the recovery Of
his speech, that | recalled my error Of
him with shamefaced feeling
81 thought you were aamute and
yes-crazy," ! faltercd.
"And that ! wanted yer scalp" said
the old man, wlplng tears from his
eyes. But, great Betty, | emit blame
you Well, stranger, IL was this way:
| was very much worked up about the
election; hadn't spoke word since
Tlldcn was beat In 1876; vowed | never
would till Democrat was elected
That was eight years ago"
GLOW about your hair and benrdf" |
asked, getting Interested.
"rhcm was to grow" said Mr. IOl
land. ~ right smart crop O hair can
bc raised IN eight years, aud ant
feiy pretty uOhow when YOU come
iong here last night, | didn't want to
take you In lhat's fact KNOWN as
how ] couldn't talk yet. hut ! hated
to turn man and beast away. II was
mighty uncomfortable for you. warn't
itr
"WeIl, rather" said l. drawing n
deep breath.
Dunno whatd ha' happened" the |
old Villains grin bespoke enjoyment OF |
the fright he had inspired the boy |
hadn't come long with Ed Barnes
rippin' good news. But spose you
could have crawled out o the wood |
shed window when | warn't lOokln'."
lie chuckled and flied my glass
again and his own.
Then we talked politics ana drank |
more whisky until cock crew at the |
rising Of the moon. which was 2 |
O'clock
Eph Hollands step was unsteady |
when he plotcd me up his crazy stairs |
- bed. and he stumbled down with
- ID 81.