Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-07-13
WIDOW JASON'S
UNRULY HOGS,
The Way the Trouble Between
the Neighbors Was Settled.
BY PAUL cAREW.

Farmer jason, and she carried on the
farm after his death with even more
wisdom than he had shown himself
possessed Of. She was still on the
brighter side Of forty. fair to look up
on and was at peace with all her
neighbors until the one to the east Of
her sold out and stranger moved in.
He was man Of middle age named
Chisholm, and. being widower, his
sister managed the house for him. II
the Widow Jason was one Of those
who wondered what sort Of man he
was. she was the first to find 1t out.
Among her live stock that year were
a dozen hogs. and it was the fault Of
her hired man that there were holes
in the fence through which they
made their way into the potato field
Of the new neighbor. She had just fin-
ished her breakfast one morning when
Chisholm was announced. He had the
courtesy to lift his hat and give his
name. but he also had the bluntness to
add:
Madam, your Internal hogs have
rooted up half an acre Of potatoes for
me. and If you can't manage to keep
'em home I'll shoot every one Of 'em!'
She looked at him and saw that he
was above the ordinary and felt that
had she been introduced in the conven-
tional way she would have been pleas
ed To make his acquaintance. But his
rude greeting angered her, and. being n
woman with q mind of her own. she
mt once replied:
Il can pay for all the potatoes on
your farm. and II you come here to
threaten me you'll find woman who
doesn't scare!"
We'll. you keep your hogs at home" J"
"And you keep yourself In the same
place."
That was the first tilt. The fences
were mended and the hogs were In de-
spair when high wind blew gate
open. and the drove spent the night In
the same potato field. Next morning
Chisholm drove ten Of them home and
said to Widow Jason:
Madam, there are dead hogs be-
longing to you in my field. VIII you
have them removed or shall bury
them?"
"You killed them, did your she
asked.
81 did. told you would. and /
did"
"Then I'll have the law on you"
"Go ahead"
She went to law. and there was a
suit, and she was ingloriOusly beaten.
Womanlike. she felt pretty bitter over
II, but at the same time she had to
give Mr.. Chisholm credit for lack Of
any bitterness. He stated his case In
the mildest manner and even spoke
highly of her as neighbor When
she returned home after the lawsuit
she said to her hired man:
Josh, If that man Chisholm comes
on my land again l want you to throw
him Off"
"Yes'm. I'll do it." replied the sturdy
Josh.
1. wasn't a fortnight before CHS
holm came. He was on his way to
the house whrr Josh headed him Off
and ordered him back. He refused Ia
20. and Josh laid hold Of him To do
the throwing act. but found himself Il
| licked man In about three minutes.
| While he sat on the ground with Il
| handful Of grass to his bleeding nose
the victor passed on to the woman.
who had witnessed the fracas from
the front steps. Lifting his hat. he
| said:
Madam. those hogs Of yours have
been at 1t agaln-this time In my corn
iield-and I've had to kill another"
"Have you dared to kill another Of
my hogs" she demanded as her
cheeks tanned aud her eyes flashed.
81 have. Shall bury him?"
"Sir. you are scoundrel!'
And you are charming widow"
She drove TO town ut once to see her
lawyer. There was $40 In the case
for him win or lose. and he advised
her to sue. She sued and got beaten
again. The defendant referred to her
| in the highest terms. but he also
| proved that her fences were out of re-
pair The lawyer saw $40 more in it.
win or lose. and advised Josh to prose
cute for assault and battery. Josh
brought his swollen nose and black
eye into court and was beaten by sew.
eral lengths. He had provoked the
encounter. and. II he had got the worst
of 1t. the law couldn't help him.
1t was Il month before anything fur
ther happened. The fences around the
hog lot were thoroughly repaired. and
for four weeks the porkers had to
make the best of their sad lot. Then
Josh left the bars down one night, and
rs the widow was getting breakfast
The heard the crack of rife. Half an
hour later Mr.. Chisholm appeared to
ray:
Good morning, Mrs. Jason. Those
wretched hogs Of yours rooted up my
garden last night, and this morning ]
killed another Of them. If you want
another lawsuit I'll drive you to town
10 my own buggy"
"And you-you've shot anotherT" she
gasped.
II have"
"Then I'd like to shoot you! You are
the meanest man IN the state Of Ohio!"
''Yes'm." he replied. with bow. as
he turned away.
Widow Jason drove to town to con.
suit her lawyer again. There was $40
In II for him. win or lose, but this time
Mr.. Chisholm was arrested for mali
cious persecution. In his testimony he
referred 20 the plaintiff ms that lady"
ana exnioIreu no animus wnaIever. put
The also proved that he was the one
prosecuted. The widows hogs would
not let him alone. She was beaten
again, and this time a stout pen was
built. and the hogs were shut up. The
farmers had of course taken sides.
Some contended that Chisholm had ex-
hibited q mean and unneighborly spirit
and others that the widow had been
derelict In not mending her fences. and
there were much talk and discussion.
It occurred now and then that the two
principals met on the highway or at
the crossroads meeting house. but
while Chisholm lifted his hat and
bowed rs II there was nothing on bis