Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-09-24

Il Inefo wa9 something wrong. rad
ical1y wrong. but Ebenexer did not
have time 70 reason IL out.
Il was oniy so yards to the near
est tree. an old oak. but II seemed to
the old man Il was a Sabbath days
Journey.
The vibration Of his short bow legs
and the whifring motion Of his arms
cut Q swath through the corn like a
moving machine.
The nearest limb was 20 feet.
and Ebenexer had not climbed q tree
for 20 years. but memory worked
fast and he got up. leaving behind
only one mouthful OF nightshirt
Ebenezer settled himself on the
limb. which creaked threateningly.
and hugged the tree while he tried
10 recover his breath. The bulldog
sat down at the foot Of the tree and
waited.
The morning came. The dog stuck
70 his post and Ebenezer to his limb
Every time he stirred the limb
creaked and the dog looked up and
growled.
The sun came up and still the old
man hugged the tree. The public road
was In plain view not fifty yards away
but luckily he was on the OF side of
the tree.
BY nine o'clock the sun-it was dog
days-shone directly on his back. The
dog seemed content TO stay q week.
The old man hated above all things
to be laughed at, but he swallowed
his pride and began to call Tor Elvina.
The old lady. Elvina's step-mother.
was away. and "drat the GIRL" she
would not hear.
Get out, you ding busted. con-
founded old curl" he yelled at the
dog. A low, significant growl was the
only response.
Another hour passed. He ached
from his cramped position. he was
dizzy, the sun scorched. and the drops
Of sweat started from his forehead.
trickled down the side of his nose.
and finally dropped from his chin. He
was holding on with both hands.
But at last hope sprang up. A
buggy was coming down the road
Dad gast 1t. there is female
in it,"
While Ebenezer was not overly mod
est. he did feel that his habiliments
were not sufficient for the occasion.
More buggies came, but they were
like the first. containing ladies only.
II was one o'clock before a man
came along alone. Ebenezer got him
TO understand, and he rescued the old
man by driving on the dog with
club.
They found Blucher tied to a stump
near the melon patch.
Well. Ill be dadgasted!" was the
old mans only comment.
Ebenezer stayed In the corn field
while the good Samaritan went for
his clothes.
Ret you cant guess what's down TO
rahe honsasz said fhe lnaighbar maan ian
returned.
"Drat II. It won't be there long,"
said the old man, az he began to tug
on his clothes.
It's a weddin' party" continued the
neighbor. You've got the finest SON.
fn-law In the country, and that little
girl OF yourn looks happier than an
angel with wings. There's a whole
house full OF 'em. Got the preacher
there. and they are goin' to have a big
supper. They're wonderin' where you
are"
Ebenezer's jaw dropped and he
stood grounded to the spot For the
first time he saw through the plot.
He finished dressing I'm silence, then
said to the neighbor.
You go back In about a half hour
and tell 'em I'm sick. over to your
house, with a slight sunstroke. but
Will be around for supper"
Turning. after the neighbor had
gone little ways. Ebenezer called:
Say. git that drafted Harvey out
and tell him I won't say nothin' IL he
won't"