The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-04-10
of the wagon and hitch the horse to :
neighboring fence.

of the wagon and hitch the horse to a
neighboring fence.
"Yes," replied Hiram, "but it's a
mystery to me that Bill James don't
rise from the grave to see his farm go
under the hammer where lie has just
put in such hard toll
'Bill was sartainiy hard worker"
replied Abe Pierson, "but in many
ways kinder stubborn
"Remember that balky mare, Hiram,
he owned one haying season not long
ago? Wall, be got purity near all the
hay in but one load from his northeast
meadow lot, near the mill pond, one
day when storm came up, and, |
swan, if that boss would stir another
step, with the clouds threatening and
the lightning a tlaring through the sky.
All persuasion and force were useless;
that plaguy horse wouldn't move an
inch.
"Finally Bill had an idee. He pulls
some hay off the load and sets it a-fire
under the mare, and I'll be licked, if
that horse didn't move just far enough
to put the flame under the load and set
it all abl:za. 1t burned the hay and
wagon, and if merciful Providence
hadn't sent down tue rain it would
have burned the horse.''
"Maybe he was bit stubborn" as
sented Hiram, "but Bill always spoke
his mind, and | liked him better for it..
"Now, for instance" continued Hi
ram, "when Bill the year before be
died gave as his support to the church
winters supply Of firewood to Minis
ter Kile. The minister came out one
day as Bill drawed up load and CON-
planned of the quality of the wood"
"Wall,' says Bill, calmly, I guess,
Minister Kile, the wood is jest about
as gOou as tue preacnln
The conversation was here inter-
rupted by Hank Newton, the fat auc-
tioneer, mounting barrel and an
nouncing that the auction would CON-
mence, mopping bis forehead, mean
while, with red bandanna and saying
in loud monotone to bystander,
Henry place that jugcr cidder leetle
bit handler"
Hiram watched the things being bid
off with only his usual interest until a
small, rickrty mahogany table was
placed upon the stand, and then he
happened to think that Sym ,nthy
wanted just such a table for the sit
ting room at home for her work basket
and other knick nacks. And there
was a drawer where he might keep his
pipe and tobacco. Where was Syman-
thy, anyhow? He cast his eyes about,
but could catch no glimpse of her in
the large crowd that stretched back
among tue elms. II guess she is visit
in round the town. l should have
thought she'd been here" he solilo-
quized.
How little he priz ID the bargaining
nature in woman.
"How much am l offered for this
beautiful tablet" clustered the auc-
tioneer, drawing glass of cider to wet
his eloquent lips, then pulling the
drawer roughly out so that allurement
would not escape the public eye. A
faint "two dollars" slipped out of Hi
rams mouth almost before he was
aware of it, and with suddenness that
quite surprised him.
II and offered only two dollars for
this table; ridiculous; it's worth five
times as much" Then followed a
lengthy detail of the tables merits.
Hiram vaguely wondered if any one
would bid higher. As if in direct an
swer to his thought feminine voice
in some distant part OF the crowd
squealed 1.-TWO fifty" Hiram strained
his neck in amaz ,ment in a vain at
tempt to catch a glimpse of the auda-
cous female who dared to bid against
him.
Don't bid again. cautioned the
postmaster, "the darnel table amt
worth it, Bat Hiram was stubborn
and a determined "three dollars came
through his lips.
"rhree-ifty," squealed the unknown
bidder with triumphant ring in her
voice.
Hiram again tried to obtain
glimpse of the female who bid against
him with so much spite. ,,nething
familiar in her voice Disconnected him.
The postmaster again cautioned Hiram,
but to 10 purpose The "four dollars"
that came from bis lips was to all ac-
counts firm. -Four ffty,' retaiicd his
antagonist in short, spteful accents.
| vo Il, Ill, ro+ ,,,,ol II;