The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-06-06

and the deacon said the elder had
turned 70 the gum game IN bis old
age Neither one OF them remembered
the tinker. IN less Than d day the
village OF Delhi was stirred. Inside Of
two days It was taking sides. Within
week war was declared all around
Yes, sir; ] paid him that 80 cents,'
Deacon Hooker was explaining 4
gave him three ten-cent pieces. and II
that doesn't make 30 cents then I can't
count. We'd got all figured up on the
bill when turns 70 him and says;
Elder. It's all correct. aud owe
you 80 cents on the last settlement.
Here 1t Is. It's powerful good weather
for this time O. year"
And the elder was explaining
''rhe deacon, he was owing me 80
cents on the last settlement and as he
didn't say anything about it | thought
it had slipped bis mind waited
awhile and then said
Deacon, don't you remember. there
was 80 cents my due when we settled
up lastT
That's what | said to the deacon.
and l smiled as / said IT. But what
does be do but say be paid Il over
yes, SIR, says be paid me three ten-cept
pieces. ! thought the deacon was an
honest man. but can't think SO any
longer I've said I'd sue, and guess
SHALL
There had always been some ques-
ton about Deacon Hooker having the
right to throw mill dam across The
creek 70 furnish water power for his
mill The natter was now gone into
BY a lawyer. and il was found that he
was trespasser and must tear down
his dam. Elder Davis had lately huilt
a new horse barn Some folks said Il
tFespassed On the public street Dea.
con Hooker went at II aud showed that
it did. and It had to be moved back.
Enos HacEett was I'D love With the
Widow Spooner 10 fact they we're
engaged. Eaos took one side 1T the
controversy and the widow the other.
and that marriage didn't come oif.
She said that Enas was opinionated
and he said she was bigot Il was
only one Of half a dozen cases Three
or four suits FOR assault and battery
grew out of the case. and dogs and
hogs and chickens which had been az
lowed to prowl everywhere now prowi.
ed at the peril or their lives. Mer-
chants had 10 take sides. and when
they did the other side refused 10 trade
with them. Progress. harmony and
neighborly feeling simply went 70 the
dogs
And then after long time-after all
the damage had been done along
comes that travelling tinker With his
old white horse and bis old shaeklety
cart Il was the hour For the mali TO
reach the postolice, and a crowd o.
men was there The tinker drove Up
and stopped. and seeing Deacon Hook.
En- ID the crowd be called out:
Hey, deacon, anything to mend to-
dayT
u believe not" was The reply.
Did that cave trough leak SINGER
What cave trough9
why. the one / fixed when | was
along here last / guess it's two years
or more ago. You gave me 30 cents for
the Job, you know
I'll didg' gasped the deacon as no
turned pale
Yes, down to your mill. Won know
three dimes, and one Of EN- was 50
smooth could hardly get shet Of il"
A dozen men heard the words and
solved the puzzle. In half an hour It
was clear to all the village
by goshp' said Deacon Hooker
Didn't | say sor' exclaimed Elder
Davis.
But they didn't make up. It was a
matter Of principle with them. To-day
Delhi is full Of empty houses and dead
business places, and the landlord Of the
ficketg old tavern will explain to you
"A matter Of 30 cents did what an
earthquake couldn't have done Got to
charge you 20 cents for your dinner as
a matter Of principle