The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1907-10-31
WV ~
Annihilatin6
an Enemy
BY EDITH KELLEY STOKELY
Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowles.,


Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowles.l
They're all but ruined, madam, all
but ruined" insisted Mr.. Potter, in a
storm of anger that made his lean old
frame tremble. you may Judge for
yourself, madam" He pointed shak-
ing finger as he spoke in the direction
Of bed of hyacinths that, innocent
Of the aspersion cast upon them,
stood forth in peerless beauty of ar
ray.
It was q curious thing to note the
susty storm pass onward from the
tall old man to the comfortable, fiorid-
looking woman before him, shaking
all her petals. from white sun-bonnet
to ankle ties. in a perfect whirlwind
Of wrath and indignation.
"And now" went on the old man.
in voice that sounded very like the
fierce soughing of wind in twisting
branches, Il want to know. first, last
and for all time, what are you going
to do about it?"
The Widow Graham snapped her
fingers high in air and answered, with
a most unmusical laugh, Nothing"
you will not trim the tree?"
Mrs. Graham cast her eyes up at
the special pride of her heart-the tall
English larch-that cast its shade as
much upon her neighbours premises as
upon her own, and said firmly:
'Not one branch-not one twig, for
the welfare of hundred hyacinth
beds. Neither will l tie up my dog,
as you have before insinuated, or
cease to cherish cat, never, until
my neighbor ceases to drain his land
upon mine, or, more marvellous still,
ceases to be fault-finding. querulous
old man, burden to himself and to
the neighborhood."
From all of which may be deducted
that neighborhood difficulties were no
nearer the point of settlement than
they had been for the past two years.
Hes hateful, mean old thing
said the widow within her room, land
I'll not sell out to please him, so
there"
In the next house tall old man
threw things at his faithful Jacob,
openly commended his rheumatism to
the prince of dark and supernatural
powers, and in his secret soul writhed
under the lash of his neighbors
tongue.
mot flower in her yard" he
mused contemptuously mot even a
dandelion. Nothing but grass, and
trees. and moss, and shade, and ma.
laria."
With which generous reflection he
gazed out at his flower beds-round
ones. diamond and heart-shaped, beds
with borders, beds misunderstanding
what comfort he might from their
vell-kept appearance and glowing col.
ors.
It was just at this time that the
faithful Jacob. unwittingly playing at
head or tail in the matter, unearthed
something that meant head for his
master. He discovered a big root of
Mrs. Graham's larch tree on Mr.. Pot
ters ground. It was quickly taken
out at the latter's demand. Then
Mrs. Graham noticed her tree slowly
dying and, learning the cause. con-
suited lawyer. He suggested her
next move. She went away and rent
ed her house to a widow with large
family
One morning. as he gravely served
his masters breakfast, Jacob volun.
teered the information.
There's new family moved in
next door. sir"
Mr.. Potter laid down his knife and
fork and, transfixing his servant with
Q glance, inquired:
"she hasn't sold out, that widow
woman. has she?"
mo. sir" said Jacob cheerfuIly. Il
hear she's gone east for the summer
and rented the house."
What kind of family is it, ia
COBB" said Mr.. Potter, comfortably re-
Stunning his breakfast.
"Well. l don't see no man, and she
wears black. She must be widow"
replied Jacob thoughtfully.
Il don't like Widows" said Mr.. Pot.
ter, decidedly "But change may be
for the better. She can't he worse
than the other, anyhow. Any chill
dren?"
well. there's one little boy on
crutches. about seven years old"
Good enough" commented Mr.. Pot.
ter. between two bites of biscuit; che
will not be likely to play Indian, or
climb trees. One boy isn't so bad. ia.
cob; lame at that"
Then there's a boy about ten"
went on Jacob, staring hard at the
opposite wall. "that they call Billy;
and q girl of IA. and another boy in
kits. and baby girl about two, and
Q dog. and parrot. and"
jacob" roared Mr.. Potter, this
breakfast isn't fit for the stomach of
. cannibal. Take it out instantly. and
mind you, don't show your face here
again to-day"
"I'll run barbed wire fence six
feet high all around my premises, and
hope it'll impale every one of EN-"
RACED the old man nuito u,I. ,,:.,,