Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-07-16
Uphill Work
By
HAYDEN CARRUTH


~-HHA
DAYS the Teller TO the other fel,
y Ter: Gan you play the violin?'
Il Dunno" says the other Teller, Il
never tried" Which Is the same with
me. Can ! write a story? / dunno;
never tried. But I'm reasonably
sure / can give a plain account of a
recent happening right here near
our town of Hawleyburgh, the facts
Of the same being known to me in
general and particular, partly from
being there and partly from setting
in Pickelson's grocery and using a
pair Of nat'ral gifts heaven be-
slowed on me. / refer to my ears.
Well You see, there IS "A mighty
likely girl lives near here as could
name-in fact II won't do any harm
II j do name her, though her name is
mighty likely TO ehange-but that's
another story, as a third feller said.
Her name, then, is Matilda Chollop
old Squire Chollop's daughter.
Pretty fine figure of a girl. Good
many fellers been sweet on her. Had
my own inelinations that way. Don't
60 round talking bout 'em though.
Not word to say what she thinks
Of me. May know, but shan't tell.
win say this. however. that she
thinks less OF a certain Teller named
Hanks than she did.
You see this here certain Teller
named Hanks came up here from the
city for his health, he said. lie got
some fine outdoor exercise fore he
got through that ought 70 have give
his state Of health considerable
hist
You see old man Popdale, who
lives out four or five miles. give a
dance one night last fall to christen
a new barn. Fine man, old Popdale
is, and everybody knew they'd have
a good time. with two fiddlers and
a barrel Of cider. So everybody
lowed they'd GO OF course this
here Hanks he had TO up and plan
20 60 too. Called il a hop" Tar
nationest fool you ever see. Hanks
was-little slim Teller with red eyes.
Used TO go round with his head mp
like halky cow with board over
her face. Course he thought he had
TO take somebody to his pesky hop.
and he asked Matilda Chollop. And
somehow she said yes-out Of pity
for the Teller. mebby. I went ont
to old Chollop's myself the next dav.
I'd ask her TO 60 with me.
but she said she'd promised Hanks.
Some folks might although from
her manner that she was sorry that
she'd been 50 fast, but I won't say
anything about what I thought. I'm
not saying everything l think. ANY
how III say that she wished so fore
he got through.
Wen, ] went out to old Popdale's
IN the night Of the dance, even if
Matilda had gone and made some
lash promises, ana lots OF other
.olks were there too. all anxious TO
tart the new barn right and see 1
hat the cider didn't Spite. And lust
IS II was growing sort Of dark up
lr0ve that there Hanks. who was up
n the country for his health. and
Matilda Chollop. who wished. mebbv.
hat she'd come with me. Hanks
lad borrowed the Wilder Camden
cots one-hoss phaeton-one Of
hese here ye-hick-els which looks
Ike a big basket and with powerful
'ig wheels behind and nightly lii
lie wheels in front. Biggest wheels
'ehind and smallest wheels for'ard
on ever seen. that being the way
nth phaetons in gen'ral and this one ,
pecially particular. Well Hanks
led his hoss under a shed, and him !
nd Matilda went into the barn with 1
he others and the two fddlers
truck up and soon we was an dane '
ig right lively-tripping the light
ombaste toe, as Hanks said. II
'as enough to make you sick to hear
tat Teller talk.
Wen, we kept il up Hvelier and !
velier TIL along about midnight. the
ddlers saving away like all get out !
nd the cider holding out uncommon !
being an extra large barrel and =
Ntra full ! reckoned mebbv Ma. 3
Ida would have got enough ~
anks riding out with him. but she
ont seem to Of, and so she must I
eep dancing with him right along l
out every other time. But / didn't {
I'd any fault-not a mite. As usual
was a-hearing and a-seeing, but / !
asn't saying 4 word. {