Year: 1873

as skirts were unknown, pedal extremi
ties were exposed, and 1 trotted alon,
gazing at "Pop," as she was familiarl,
called, with her sweet little foot ant
rounded anklee1posedto the atmosphere
l was young, tender and susceptible
and before we reached the end of ON
brief pilgrimage 1 was desperately il
love. Z;


1t was stupid business on my part
for Pop had her "feller." He was &
tall, broad-shouldered, double-fisteG
brute, answered to the name of jackson
Fossets, and it was understood that he
and my little love were soon to be united
in the holy bonds of matrimony.


I was ass enough to "cut the fellow
out" to use a country phrase. Little
Pop took to my store clothes. She liked
the novelty of the thing and gave hel
Fossets the cold shoulder. heard his
muttered thunder, but took no heed.


That night the fun was fast and furi.
Gus at the paternal residence of the
groom. The progenitor of the happy
man was client of our Office and ex-
tremely friendly toward me. He exhib-
tied this-he took me one side and gave
warning that Fossets was going to
thrash me the first time that he caught
me out, and as I was not used to that
sort of thing, the way for me to do was
to get my pistol, retreat to wall or cor
ner, SO as to keep the law on my side,
and then, "My boy" he said earnestly,
"just you perforate him like water
melon. Them big lawyers of yours
can see you through like cheese knife. y


Then again he called me out, and said
when I gottired frolicking hewouldshow
me bed, where I could turn in and
get nap. He led me to room at the
end of the porch, and made exhibit OF
said couch. I had no idea of sleeping,
and returned to the side of my Polly.
About midnight, however, she disap-
peared, and the gay and festive scene
lost all attraction. What was the rural
dance of "hug and snug" when Polly
was neither "hug nor snug?" And
then, feeling weary and sad, I stole
quietly to the little bedroom to turn in.


The room was dark as the correspond
ence on consequential damages" !
closed the door, undressed, and feeling
for the bed got in. Then for the first
time discovered another occupant.
Supposing that the old gentleman had
granted the same favor to some other
guest, I took my place and soon fell
asleep with an ugly suspicion that en-
tered my brain that the strange bedfel,
low might be that rascal Fossets, my
rival.


/ slept the sleep of innocence and
peace. ] was awakened by a row.
When opened my eyes day was in the
room, and with the day crowd OF peo.
pie laughing boisterously. In the cen,
ter of the room stood the old gentleman
who had SO kindly given me bed, and
at my side, sitting up and crying, was, to
nv horror, the little Pitcher. She strove
in vain to cover her snowy shoulders with
very brief under garment, that, al
though worn during the day, served its
other use of night-gown.


1 had only second for reflection.
Among the people crowded in at the door
was the terrible Fossets, who swore
with much earnestness and shook his
big fists as if he intended to punch some
one. The old gentleman drove out the
crowd, and telling me to come to break
fast. left the room. How I dressed and
retreated I do not know. I tried to ex-
plain to Pop as did SO, but she had dis.
appeared under the clothes and laughed
and cried hysterically until withdrew.


I got to breakfast with what appetite
I might. The old gentleman had to e1.
plain, swearing that she didn't know
that fool Pop Pitcher was going to husk
herself in that bed - and l tried, but nc
one would believe us-while Fossets
was on the porch bringing his two fists
together with great violence andswearine
that he would remove my cuticle, take
out my eyes, chaw up my features, and
otherwise dispose of my unhappy per
son. 1 knew that the time had come
for show of courage. Lord knows
wished myself well out of the scrape
But with calm exterior, at least, what
ever the inner commotion was, swal
lowed my food, and then going to the
window, addressed the irate lover: o.


"See here, Fossets, you want to figh'
me. Very well, am willing. We cam
fight here, but I'll meet you at the big
spring in the round prairie this after
noon at three O'Clock. You come witt
your friends, and I'll be there will
mine.


"That's fair-bully for the boy" wal
the cry. and Fossets was forced to con
sent.


"But mind you," added, "1'n figh'
you in my own way; I'll shoot and cut
SO you can come prepared, for there's
TO be death in somebody's family and
funeral on the Ridge.


The fellow gave me volley of oathl
in return, and we separated.


I had an admirable double-barrelet
duck gun. This gun chargrd heavily