The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-26
CHAPTER Xxx.


breaking her to the saddle, and, that
done, mounting, he started for Robins
Inn. He carried a game rooster in
sack for the boy Tom. All came out
with word Of welcome. Even the
small dog grew noisy with delight.
Tunk Hosely, who had come to work
for Mrs. Vaughn, took the mare and
led her away, his shoulder leaning with
an added sense of horsemanship. Pol
ly began to hurry dinner. fusslng with
the table and changing the position of
every dish until 1t seemed as IL she
would never be quite satisfied. Cover
cd with the sacred old china and table
linen of her grandmother, 1t had, when
Polly was done with It, very smart
appearance indeed. Then she called
the boys and bade them wash their
hands and faces and whispered a warn
ing to each, while her mother announc-
ed that dinner was ready.
paul, what's an adjectlver said the
teacher as they sat down.
"A word applied to a noun to qualify
or limit Its meaning" the boy answer
cd glibly.
"Righti And what adjective would
you apply to this table?"
The boy thought n moment.
"Grandr said he tentatively.
"Correctl I'm going to have Just
such dinner every day on my farm"
"Then you'll have to have Polly too"
said Tom innocently.
"well, you can spare her"
mo, SIR" the boy answered. "You
amt good to her. She cries every time
you go away"
There was an awkward silence, and
the widow began to laugh and Polly
and Trove to blush deeply.
maybe she whispered, an be give
her talkin' to-" said Paul.
"Havs you heard about Ezra Tow
err" said Mrs. Vaughn. shaking her
head at the boys and changing the
topic with shrewd diplomacy.
much; but nothing new" said
Trove.
"well. he swears he'll never cross
the Fadden bridge or speak to any.
body In Pleasant valley"
"whyT
"The taxes. He don't believe In i'm
provements, and when he tried to make
a speech In town meeting they all jeer-
ed him. There amt any one good
enough for him to speak to now but
himself an'-an' his Creator"
In the midst Of dinner they heard
an outcry In the yard. Toms game
cock had challenged the old rooster,
and the two were leaping and striking
with foot and wing. Before help came
the old rooster was badly cut In the
neck and breast. Tunk rescued him
and brought him to the wood saed.
where Trove sewed up his wounds.
He had scarcely finished when there
came louder outcry among the fowls.
Looking out they saw q gobbler strid-
ing slowly up tho path and leading the
gamecock with drm hold on the
back Of his neck. The whole flock Of
fowls were following. The rooster held
back and came on with long but un-
equal strides. Never halting, the tur-
key led him into the full publicity Of
the open yard. Now the cock was lift-
Cd 10 his feet came only to the top Of
the grass; now his head was bent low,
and his feet fell heavily. Through It
all. the gobbler bore himself with dig
nifty and firmness. There was no show
OF wrath or unnecessary violence. He
swung the cock around near the foot
Of the maple tree and walked him back
and then returned with him. Half his
journey the poor cock was reaching
for the grass and was then lowered
quickly so he had. to walk with bent
knees.
Again and again the gobbler walked
up and down with him before the
assembled flock. Hens and geese
cackled loudly and clapped their
wings. Applause and derision rose
high each time the poor cock swung
around reaching for the grass, but the
gobbler continued his even stride. de-
hberately and. as 1t seemed, thought
fully, applying correction to the quar-
relsome bird. Walking the grass tips
had begun to tire those reaching legs.
The cock soon straddled along with a
serious eye and an open mouth, but the
gobbler gave him no rest. When at
length he released his hold the game
cock lay weary and wild eyed. with no
more fight In him than q bunch of
rags. Soon he rose and ran away and
hid himself in the stable. The culprit
fowl was then tried, convicted and
sentenced to the block.
TITS the fate OF all fighters that have
only selfish cause" said the teacher.
He was sitting on the grass, Polly
and Tom and Paul beside him.
"Look here" said he suddenly. 'T'll
show you another fight"
All gathered about him. Down
among the grass roots an ant stood
facing a big, hairy spider. The ant
backed away presently and made a
little detour. the spider turning quick
ly and edging toward him. The ant
stood motionless, the spider on tiptoe,
with daggers drawn. The big, hairy
spider leaped like a lion to Its prey.
They could see her striking with the
fatal knives. her great body quiverlng
with fierce energy. The little ant was
hidden beneath 1t. Some uttered cry
Of pity, and Paul was for taking sides.
"Wait moment" said the teacher,
restraining his hand. The spider had
begun to tremble In a curious manner.
"Look now" said Trove, with some
excitement.
Her legs had begun to let go and