Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-05

3pEACoN WHITE SPRANG OVER THE LOG
AND PITCHED INTO HIS OLD FRIEND.
at night will be ready to affirm that
they lead everywhere in general and
nowhere in particular. This trail was
no exception. Even when Deacon Has
tings had followed ii out of the mead
ow and into the sugar bush and over
on the lands of Deacon White and into
a hollow log he was not sure that he
had got his victim in hole. He was
wondering about II when Deacon
White arrived. He was also following
a rabbits trail and had been for an
hour. 1t was a trail which started at
his kitchen door and went seven times
around his barn before 1t headed for
the woods. The two rabbits had made
for the same log. and thus the two
deacons had come together. There
: was no trouble in arriving at an am
icable understanding. There were two
deacons and two rabbits. One rabbit
would be enough for either. Each one
carefully advanced and stopped up an
end of the log, and then they took turns
at welding the AK.
to chop. and he was making the chips
when the blade of the AK went
through the solid wood and struck
omething that made a grating sound.
delivered three or four more blows,
4 the hollow OF the log was opened
daylight, and the two rabbits jump
)ut and fed like shadows. Neither
con looked after them. Their four
bulged out at sight of an earthen
wing on its side In the hollow. The
had cracked II, ana silver halves
dollars were pouring out.
By gumr' gasped Deacon White as
struck his hands together.
NsgsBy gum" gasped Deacon Hastings
rs he stuck the Ak in the log and reach
ed for the jar.
1t had been full of silver coins
There was hatful apiece and some
left over. 1t was found money
They knew by the rust on the coins
that they had reposed in the log for
years and years. and il could be figured
that the owner would never turn up.
The proper way would have been for
each deacon TO fill up his hat and trou-
umph. But, alas. human nature is not
tde that way. Before Deacon Has
ngs could get a second coin between
his fingers Deacon White cried out:
stop. sir-stop where you are!
will count my own money, if you
please"
"Your money! exclaimed Deacon
Hastings. why, we are going to
share and share alike, amt we. though
do hold I've got the best right to all
Of itf 1 tracked a rabbit right to this
log"
$50 did l."
"And / was chopping when the Ak
struck the jar"
~This is my land. What Is found on
my land l keep. and that's always
been the law"
I'll be burned if it has, Half OF
this money comes to me. Deacon
White, I'm surprised to see you play
ing the hog In this way
all give you a dollar and 10 more.
You tracked a rabbit here, but that's
not worth over dollar. Lots of folks
would track 'em for nothing"
81 say I'll have half"
81 say you shan't"
The two deacons glared Mt each other
across the log. while the rabbits got
together n mile away and wondered
what was up.
Then Deacon White said: "Tve got q
plan deacon. we want a meeting house
here mt the Corners, but we hain't been
able to build one. AS Providence seems
10 have sent us this money, let's take II
and use 1t that way"
Il rather like the idea." unused Dea-
con Hastings. Yes, here's enough to
suild a good sized Baptist meeting
puse."
Methodist. you mean"
:. / don't 1t goes for Baptis
dollar of It, I've always
would give a shilling t.
~sd shall stick to IL