The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-03-07

Hiram, Wneu Dill the year DeIOIe
he died gave as his support to the
church winters supply of frewood
to Minister Kile. The minister came
out one day as Bill drawed up load
and complained of the quality of the
wood"
WALL says Bill, calmly, L
guess, Minister Kile, the wood is jest
about as good as the preachin'. ;"
The conversation was here inter-
rupted by Hank Newton, the fat auc-
tioneer, mounting a barrel and an
nouncing that the auction would COM
mence, mopping his forehead, mean-
while, with red bandanna and say
ing in loud monotone to bystand-
er, Henry, place that jug er cider
a leetle bit handler"
Hiram watched the things being
bid off with only his usual interest
until a small, rickety mahogany table
was placed upon the stand, and then
he happened to think that Symanthy
wanted just such a table for the sit
ting-room at home for her work-bas-
ket and other knicknacks. And
there was drawer where he might
keep his pipe and tobacco. Where
was Symanthy, anyhow? He cast
his eyes about, but could catch no
glimpse of her in the large crowd
that stretched back among the elms.
II guess she is visitin' round the
town. 1 should have thought she'd
been here" he soliloquized.
How little he priced the bargain
ing nature in woman.
How much am 1 offered for this
beautiful table? :" clustered the auc-
tioneer, drawing glass of cider to
wet his eloquent lips, then pulling
the drawer roughly out SO that allure
ment would not escape the public eye.
A faint 1.-TWO dollars" slipped out of
Hiram's mouth almost before he was
aware of it, and with a suddenness
that quite surprised him.
81 am offered only two dollars for
this table; ridiculous it's worth FIVE
times as much" Then followed
lengthy detail of the tables merits.
Hiram vaguely wondered if any one
would bid higher. AS if in direct
answer to mis- thought feminine
voice in some distant part of the
crowd squealed 1.-TWO fifty" Hiram
strained his neck in amazement in a
vain attempt to catch glimpse of the
audacious female who dared to bid
against him.
Don't bid again." cautioned the
postmaster, "the darned table amt
worth it." But Hiram was stubborn
and a determined "three dollars
came through his lips.
"Three-ffty,' squealed the un-
known bidder with triumphant ring
in her voice.
Hiram again tried to obtain a
glimpse of the female who bid against
him with so much spite. Something
fTrns;postmasrer agaif cauTIoned' III
ram, but to no purpose. The "four
dollars" that came from his lips was
to all accounts firm. "Four fifty"
retailed his antagonist in short, spite
full accents. "Five dollars, " prompt
ly returned Hiram with forced smile
on his lips, but the words seemed to
revolve in his mouth and threaten to
tear out his tongue.
The bidding ran up to seven dol
lars, and Hiram thought he had won
but "seven-ffty" came with pene-
trating shrillness from his rival.
Hiram was nonplussed. The audac-
ity of this tantalizing female quite
paralyzed him. But only for an in
slant. A determination to fight to
the bitter end swiftly took possession
of him. Eight dollars" he splut-
tered, while whisper and smile
ran through the little company.
Hiram noticed the agitation. A
feeling of trepidation filled his heart,
and he wondered if his antagonist had
given up the contest.
The auctioneer loudly expostulated
upon the sudden abatement of the
bidding.
"Is it possible, he puffed, "that
this handsome table is going for only
So? Consider, ladies and gentlemen,
before you lose this grand opportuni-
ty to adorn your homes with this SUBJ
stantial article of furniture Grasp
while the chance is ripe" And here
the autioneer leaned in state of ex-
haustion upon the table which creak-
ed and swayed in frightful manner
under the pressure.
"Eight-ffty" came in rather weak
er accents from his rival, and the
voice further impressed Hiram with
its exasperating familiarity.
Hiram's hopes sank. Would he
capitulare, and to a woman? No,
not he. He gritted his teeth together.
"Nine dollars" he said with the air
of martyr, and gazed around him
with look of scorn.
The auctioneer, delighted with his
phenomenal success, vainly attempt
ed to coax another bid. Finally, with
the sarcastic remark that "the table
was going for nothing at ALL" he
knocked it down to Hiram for So.
After the auction Hiram placed his
prize in the wagon with the feeling of
a Napoleon after his Waterloo.
Indeed, the sight of the table so Of
Tended him that he placed the horse
blanket over it to hide the obnoxious
thing from his eyes.
Symanthy, a neighbor had inform
ed him, had gone ahead with Deacon
Browns wife. Hiram was relieved,
for somehow, he dreaded to meet her.
During the journey home he wonder
ed who the woman was that had con-
tended against him with so much
spite. AS he drove up to the house
Symanthy came down to the gate to
meet him.
"See what l have brought you, {"