The Washington times., 1904-07-28
LITTLE STORIES OF WASHINGTON LIFE
VII
THE SAVAGE WARS OF PEACE.
VIII
(The Dairyman's Story

that's all, and do the best we cam"
was the resigned conclusion Of the old
dairyman.
Next day he went to town and found
the temple OF the god Mars. The off,
Gals begged him TO be patriotic and
consider his country. Could he not sac
rifice his own convenience-
"Tain't my convenience, it's my
COWS. and my business, and the lives OF
my family that's endangered. said old
Mr.. Hunt, with meek conciseness- He
finally got a promise. however. from
the Little Tin God who ruled in those
matters. that he would come out and
see for himself
The Little Tin God came. 1t was a.
hot day, and the Little Tin God was fat.
though his back was military. TIE cleo
trio road does not go very near tse
shooting range, and the visitor grateful
~ accepted seat in old Mr. Hunts
buggy. AS they started over the road a
, giant corn-popper apparently began
operations IN the distance
What's that?" asked the Little Tin
God.
That's them" was the laeonlc re-
mark of old Mr.. Hunt.
cool, and charming to the eye. and
the city man was conversing peacefully
on the relative merits OF Holsteln and
Jersey milk fer family use. when a but
let Tipped impertinently through the
leaves Of an overhanging branch.
'-F-for heavens sake. what was thatr'
suffered the visitor.
That was a piece OF that ammuni-
ton 1 was teIIin' you about" said old
Mr. Hunt.
'B-but hadn't we better drive little
faster?" The Little Tin God was apt
to rattle when he got excited.
I'm drivin' as fast as 1 can. The
colt was lame today and took the
roam He's all right when he don't
balk''
The military man ducked as the bull
let's ratified against the side OF the
wagon
rs this a t-traveied road?" he slut
tered.
only way to the station. Can't go
/ over the fences"
| It occurred to the Little Tin God that
a bullet might kill the horse.
ITS been like this for a week" pur-
sued old Mr.. Hunt placidly. Some
times the bullets go wild, and sometimes
they glance of and come over here
I was driving by here early one morn
| ing, and l saw two little girls with
grape baskets picking up bullets over
! there in the field TO sell in Alexandria
I asked 'em how many they had. and
they tipped up the basket 70 show me-
How many dye spose2''
There was no reply. The originator
Of the sharpshooting scheme decided
that II the horse was killed he would
crawl on all-fOurs until he was out OF
range.
| ..,The baskets was moren half full
I've been working IN the fields for the
last week with bullets plowin' up the
kground and clippin' leaves OF the trees
Most of EN- fly. low. Of course. bet
some Of them veterans from Santiago
didn't see so much active service
There, were out o range; ye needn'
duck any longer"
The rife range has been moved TO an
iuninhabited district, but old Mr.. Hunt
says:
} I'm takin' no chances. I don't want
to have 70 set behind a baIky horse
In the zone o. fire some time TO reason
with an obdurate official. We've got
a law now that a man has got to have
the consent of all the neighbcrs II he
wants 10 fire a pistol that carries fur
Their than his own yard; and by ginger.
If they wait for my consent they II De
/ grayer than Methuselah!'
But, father" said Mrs. Hunt. "oid
. that horse ever balk?''
NO" said old Mr.. Hunt