The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-01-10
sided. Ahner resumed his address.

Friends, as you all know, this news
paper business is a new thing to me.
I got into it to help a powerful bright
young man along, and my intention
was to slide back to my farm am have
nothin' to do with it myself, but How
ard simply won't have it that way,
an as it is the biggest fun I ever
tackled, shan't let loose. It looks
like can't anyway, for folks come to
me with all sorts of matters that new
er thought Of before an, which How
ard really is too busy to handle. If
anybody had told me that a newspaper
man here in the mountains could have
so many things to dabble in an satisfy
folks about I'dT=thought he was the
boss liar from Liarsville."
After the laugh that rose over his
speech, Abner called on Howard, who
made g. strong talk, outlining the poll
cy of the paper and assuring the cor
respondents that he and Abner would
look to them for the best support a
rural weekly ever had. When Howard
sat down Abner, with mischievous
smile in her direction, called on Miss
Patty Quinn for a few words. This
was greeted by loud applause, but that
young lady refused to rise. She shook
her head resolutely.
''Mr. Raymond tells me- she said,
"that as soon as the speeches are over
the tables are to be pushed back
against the wall and we are to have
dancing. 1 hear the f1ddles tuning up
now, and it makes my feet Jingle.
have had a good time listening to you
men, but I'd rather dance than talk
myself, and as it is late I hope you
will give us a chance
Abner agreed with her, and he rose
from the table, the others following
him.
1t was hot Sunday afternoon.
Howard was spending the day with
his parents. Abner came over to see
him about 3 O'Clock, and they took a
walk along the country road. They
passed the cabin of Pole Baker and
saw their friend under a big oak in
the yard swinging two of his younger
children in a swing he had made.
Hes havin' big, time Abner
said admiringly. Lets not call to
i'm. He's got his faults, but they only
seem to make i'm a better father at
times. I've seed tears in his eyes
when he talked about his children hav-
in just stepmother. Eff anythin' in
the world viii make man serious
that will The woman he got the last
time is a good soul, but the children
amt her'n, an reckon eff she don't
love 'en it amt her fault. She's sorry
she amt had any Of 'er own, but
reckon it is a good thing, considerin'
Poles careless habit with the bottle.
The Lord knows he's got a big enough
brood already"
"You and I haven't a truer friend
anywhere Howard replied. He'd
fight for either Of us till he dropped
in his tracks,
ooh, yes. that's al fact" Abner
agreed, "an' I'd like to show apprecia
ton Of it. if I knowed how. He's SO
all fired sensitive an touchy that he
yon't accept thing. I've tried many
a time. put i'm on the free list to
git the paper, an he went right off in
huff an borrowed the money an
paid fer two years in advance"
Pole had seen them, and, calling
loudly, he left the children and came
across his cotton field to join them at
bend in the road.
81 was just lookin fer you two
chumps,'' he said, with a grin, as he
burst through a patch OF blackberry
vines and climbed over the rail fence.
give got a treat fer you. Uncle Alb,
yore watermelons failed this year. I
looked at 'eIn as I passed yesterday,
but Pole Bakers didn't, you bet yore
life. put a 6g one in my spring last
night, an by this time it is as cold as
tGreenIand's Icy Mountain Come right
on down thar. Eff you haven't tooth
fer a red meated, thin rind melon on
hot day like this something is wrong
with your internal machinery"
The Invitation was eagerly accepted,
and, entering a shady wood on the left
of the road, they soon found them
selves on the brink of a great spring
of clear mountain water. And there.
in the shadiest nook and overhung by
long moss and fern leaves, foated tho
melon. Picking up a stick Pole drew
it to the brink and lifted it out on the
grass. A moment later he took out
his long bladed pocketknife, and as
he touched the point Of the blade to the
rind he said:
''I'n show you some'n' peculiar about
this rattlesnake brand o. watermelon.
The skin amt much thicker'n paper,
an the minute the blade goes in even
jest a little ways the rind begins to
crackle an bust. It looks like the
goody inside is swellin' an tryin' to
git OUT
GA banquet fit fer a king" Abner
chuckled. ".Ef I don't love 'em as
much as a niger it is because they
steal 'em an my friends give 'em
to me-"
When the three had eaten all they
wanted Abner took out some cigars
and profeRed them. Howard accepted,
but Pole shook his head doubtfully. 81
thought this was to be my treat all
round" he protested. 'tI've got some
cigars up at the cabin that I always
keep fer special use, an I lowed we'd
walk back that way an you could say
howdy to my wife, fer she is fond o.
little attentions like that. Boys, she's
a good, steady woman, an I'm shore !
made no mistake marryin' her,