The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-07-30
Ross-H HuntressC Company
Cor.West and Grove SITS.
Rutland. Vermont.

under the feather bed behaving sean.
dalously would you promise to sick
your dog on that old idjit of Dea.
con Partridge If he hangs around here
any more"
No sooner had he uttered those
words than from the midst Of that pile
OF household necessities there came
the visible indications OF n terrific
storm, followed by the subdued but
unmlstakable sound Of ripping cloth,
and the next second feather bed, mat
tress and deacon arose In concert, and
there, In the astonished presence Of
Miss Cullen, stood Partridge, his arms
and legs tangled In the environments
Of blue striped ticking and his head
and shoulders covered with speckled
coating Of downy feathers. Feathers
protruded from his eyes; feathers VI
brated on the end Of his nose; feath-
ers waved majestlcally from the tips
Of his ears He couldn't see or hear
or speak for feathers. He could scarce
ly breathe for feathers.
Pooh, pooh. poohp' he puffed blow.
ing great lunches Of feathers from
his mouth. "Ahchoo! Ahche-oo" he
sneezed The tears were running down
his face, making the feathers stick the
closer to his scarlet cheeks.
Miss Cullen sprang to her. feet, press
ed her trembling hands TO her eyes
and shrieked.
"Well, wellp' said Simeon, regarding
him with overmasterlng hilarity
well, well this Is the first time ever
see partridge runnin' around half
picked. Say, why don't you go out be
hind the barn and SINCE yourselff'
The deacon could not speak. He
could not do anything but open and
shut his mouth like chicken with the
gapes and 90 "Cut cut, cutv
why, he thinks he's an old settin'
hen" exclaimed Simeon, eying him
wonderlngly. Shouldn't wonder but
he'll be a-scratchin up your flower bed
next, Miss Cullen. Say" he added to
'hc PtibpiiuS uthcoH, Why uoH sou
fly up In tree and go to roost againg'
IL didn't come here to be laughed
at" whimpered Partridge, extricating
himself from the ticking and nearly
crying with indignation. Il came here
to call on Miss Cullen"
'Huhw replied Simeon, pressing his
hands against his quiverIng sides and
regarding the other with austerity. |
Huh, dye reckon Miss Cullen hasn't
anything to do but to entertain oyster
riches? Why don't you run away some
where's and stick your head In the
sandY
Il tell you I amt goin' to stand here
and he insulted by no squatty old hip
shrilled the deacon an
grily.
"Ruther be hippypotamouse than to
he featherwelght," snapped Simeon
III you're 80 blame brave, why don't
you nap your wings and crow? Why
don't you let folks know that you're a
Shanghai that's not afeard OF anything
In the barnyard even II yonr pinfeath.
ers amt all grown outY"
I'm man Of peace. Brother Yates
replied Partridge meekly. '1m an
elder In the church, and don't want
to get mad. and don't want 10
swear
May be that you're turnln' 10 an an
GEL" retorted Simeon doubtfully, "but
You look to me more like dominicker
hats too thin to bile and too tough to
Try, Anyway, you ought 10 know that
Miss cullen's front yard amt no place
'or poultry show"
Got as much right here az you have,
Tou old billed lobsterv screamed the
leacon wrathfuily. "Ain't /, Miss Cul.
emp
well. really. Mr. Partridge" snick-
.red Miss Cullen. looking happily at
simeon, nov that Mr.--that Simeon
md me are engaged OF course
You see. Brother Partridge ex-
.laImei Simeon, ''the lady has decided I
hat she isn't hankerin' 10 marry any I
,ody that has manIa for breakin' /
lmbs of OF trees, sfnashin' down fences |
md rippin' open feather beds. Besides,
here's the dog" Partridge glanced !
round unessily. You know, deacon.
when dog once gets taste OF n
.one"- !
Il certainly extend my congratuIa-
IONS" sneered the deacon, scowIing af |
'imeon. "and hope haven't In.
ruded" d
"Don't mention II, Brother Partridge"
fmeon grinDed. But. now, II you'll {
tep into the house and let US finish I
ickin' you. Feathers IL feathers these 4
sys. deacon, and we can't be ogsrpar- I
Icuisr what kind Of bird they come
z Of u