The Huron News-Record, 1887-08-31, Page 21404
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Weduesdriy, Owlet: alit, 18.$1
QR ' UR a TORX4>EARX S.
Sister Todhunter's Heart.
There was unusual excitement in
Sweetwater. The new preacher, a
young man of find parts, aceompau-
led by his wife had arrived a few days
before, delivered a most effective ser-
mon, and had been called upon
with the promptness common to
country communities where isola-
tion renders local curiosity unbear-
able after tweuty four hours. The
lady of the parsonage, whose hus-
band was but lately a theological
student and now engaged for the
first time upon regular pastoral
labors, came from the city, and
dressed in a manner that was bound
to win her the admiration or the
hatred of half the village. Al-
ready that grand, interchangeable
jury common to all communities
was sitting upon her case. The
term is used in a figurative sense,
for the inquest was conducted from
yard to yard, window to window
and even scross the ono street
along which Sweetwater was
cougregated. Wherever two 01
throe were gathered together and
two of the three happened to be of
the cradle -rocking order of society,
Parson Riley's wife was the theme.
The climax was reached in the
case wheu Parson Riley's wife sent
out modest little notes inviting
about twenty matrons to take tea
with her next day. And so it
came to pass that twenty ladies
shook to the breeze the camphored
folds of twenty bombazines, alpacas,
and venerable silks ; and twenty
pairs of hands went to work with
needles, thread, hot irons, stain -
eradicators, and all the household
help that could bo mustered, to
turn the water of ancient respecta-
bility into the wine of modern
style as outlined in stray magazines
and described by the oceasioni 1
town visitor.
So it was, then, that when Sweet-
water, as very properly represented
by its ladies, assembled in Parson
Riley's modest little parlor and
gazed'upon itself in all its glory,
a somewhat satisfied' air settled
over it. Poor faded little Mrs.
Brown in her dingy alpaca, which
everybody knew she bought nine
-years before with mouey awarded
her abt the country fair -for preserves
and pickles, and had turned and re-
turned i' until it was equally woru
all over, smiled..placidly'upon .Mrs.
Bliley's watered silk she worn when
she was a bride, and upon the
bombnzinelgownj that 'Mrs. Buck-
ner inherited from her mother, and
and felt thoroughly comfortable.
And Mrs. Buckner's little straw
bonnet that had been in fashion
twice in the fifteeny,aars of its
service, rested easy upon her own
artificial knot 'of hair when she
behold Mrs. Culpepper's leghorn
flare -front headgear, and noted the
corkscrew iron -gray • curls, pinned
around the severe brow of colonel
Ledbetter's wife •just as they had
been on state •occasions for twenty
years.
This feeling of comfort was great-
ly strengthened . by the fact that
Parson Riley's wife, wore .a plamin
dark close•fiiting gown 01 some
flexible material without ornamen-
tation, and that her hair was brush-
ed heels without any attempt at the
fashionable arrangements they fear-
ed would crush then]. Then the
little lady moved about among therm
with her sweetest smile~, and •the
nicest tea, and a little notice for
each of her guests. She had ob-
served what an "elegant young wo'
. illan" .was Mrs. Illackuoi's Saman-
thy,just back from Wesleyan Col-
lege in ;Macon; and Mrs. Brown's
son Torn was "handsome enough to
bo governor." 'As for Mrs. Cul -
pepper's baby, why, it was "just too
lovely for anything." She captured
a very largo -hearted woman • entire-
ly when she whispered to Mrs.
Bailey that her husbaid was the
finest looking man she had seen in
Sweetwater,—"excepting my Phil,
you know," eho added. And this
loyalty only sulk the compliment
deeeper. ;Then she hurried off for
a pencil, and begging Mrs. Colonel
Lodbltter• to give her her receipt
for 01 icing the enppern0ng wine
she had heard so much praised, and
• sh ];rid-•herbook in the "dear old
lady's lap and wrote it as dictated.
In an hour parson Riley's wife by
unanimous consent established at
the heal of Sweetwater,and could
a11:)rd to take time company in 'to
sae her lace curtains, baby and Baby
• dresses, and all the little brit-abrac
that had Wen showered upon her as
a bride,--withont awakening a
single jealous feeling.
But it storm was browing, and its
first mutterings wore hoard when
Culpepper thoughtlessly njeltiotied
"Sister Tom, u, ter."
• "`lister 'lbdhuntor?' said parson
Riley's wife, looking from ono to
the other, a puzzled expression
sh:uldowing her pretty face; have
a,a
u."u14"
Qaanat,MetOr .r.„ihtttttet ? dear tae
tI a '.S 9a4A a ' Ipr .ke after,
ill t prpltftd': tried. s. `:1 hard AO,
please ;noterybe'dy, and i fere alas
tt'.pnbledat • first novo,,
"No, my dear," said Mrs, Cul-
pepper promptly; "it was 1F who
made the mistake." But poor Mrs.
Riley netted the ominous look up-
on -the faces , of several and. the
glances they exchanged.
"I am sure," she said earnestly, I
would have been glad to have had
Sister Todhunter if I had known in
time. Docs she live in the village?"
"No, dear," said Mrs. Colonel
Ledbetter; "she is a disagreeable
old thing who lives out on her
farm about a mile t'roni here. You
haven't lost anything by not know-
ing her." Mrs. Ledbetter was a
power iu the land, and her iron -
gray curls shook in a dangerous and
threatening manner as she declared
herself. She is sometimes pleasant,
to bo sure, but if it wasn't for her
husband, poor fellow, who married
her out of pity, although she was
only a "cracker" and ho a man of
education and standing, she
wouldn't be noticed." ,
"I think," said poor faded little
Mrs. Brown meekly, "that Sister
Todhunter has a good hoar, and
I'm sure she always treated me
kindly."
"Arid who wouldn't?" interposed
Mrs. Culpepper, laughing. "You
see some good in everybody, Sallie,
and everybody sees some good in
you. But as for Sister Todhunter,
She is bettor at long range."
Presently there was a movement
among the ladies, and soon Parson
Riley's wife, the recipient of twenty
kisses and as many warm hand-
shakes, was left alone with her
empty cups and the memory of
Sister Todhunter.
II.
When Parson Riley heard 'the
description of his wife's tea-party
front her own lips, told with many
a smile and an occasional sigh, his
first resolution was to call upon
Colonel Todhunter and . his wife.
So it was•that early next morning
he saddled his patient mare and
rambled out . to • the Todhunter
farm.
As Parson Riley .approached the
little cottage, he saw sitting on the
steps a man with his chin in his
hands. The first thing ' that im-
pressed him was the air of extreme
dejection about the individual, an
air that had become more marked
after he had dismounted and ad-
vanced toward the house. Rousing
himself froin'l►is reveries, the indi-
vidual rose slowly and fixed a pair
of tired, watery blue oyes upon the
parson. . The clothes he wore were
broadcloth, but they were faded
now'
and stained down the front
with tobacco juice: and they:shone
with a polish evidently acquired
like good manners, through long
wear.
"This is colonel Todhunter, I
believe," said the visitor, holding
out his hand. "I am the Rev. Mr.
Riley." Tho gentleman in the
polished suit held the proffered.
hand as he replied, in a singularly
low and sweet yoiee.:
"You're the new parson, I reek •
on. •You will have to speak louder;
I am a little deaf."
"Yes," said the parson, elevating
his.voioo. "flow is your family 1"
"What did you. say?" inquired
the low, musical, voice while the blue
oyes brightened a little.
"Iiow is your family 1"
"Oh, very well, I believe. Couto
in. and sit down." He led the Way'
slowly, with a slight limp, toward
the little porch. As they ascended
the steps Parson, Riley caught sight
of the figure of au enormous woman
in a calico dress and a white apron,
that loomed up. iu the doorivey.
She carried in hor hand a broom ;
and a broad, square, and almost
fierce face with black oyes was
turnaii Upon him. •
"Mandy," paid the colonal gently,
"this is the new parson." "The
new parson stepped forward quickly
and extended his hand.
"My dear madam, I ant glad to
moot you," ho said, a smile kindl-
ing on his handsome face. Sho
looked at him suspiciously, gave
hor left hand, -and said :
"Howdyo"
"I hope you are well, madam V'
"'I'olor'ble," she replied, and then
she turue'l her back and moved off
with an elephantine amble.
"So this is Sister Todhunter,"
thought Parson li-il e, ° "Well, I
shall have trouble
The men sat d.,wn, and the con-
versation began. Colonel Tod -
hunter proved to be courtly, almost
womanly, iu his manners, but his
few opinions wore uttered with a
diffidence must painful, and the
the parson was glad when the time
cane to say good -day. i•te was
about to mount his mare again
when the Colonel, who had follow-
ed hila out, touched his arm.
"I want to speak to you on a pri-
vate matter," he said softly. "Sup-
lrose we walk a little." So arm in
arm they moved off. "I want to
speak to you about :1lrs. Todhuut-
er," said the gentle voice again.
"To tell you the truth, parson, .I
am loading a life hero that is al-
f�Fl
b 1 °k
A� arable, d thn
cart help tne� r a 3 ,
Mire, To4lituuter. lea`s i .'1io1en4' WQ-
*au, pglreo --I Uae t t tell$ ad-
visedly; she is ec . Yialent itromftu,
and unless I cau bring about a
marked change in her character, I
do not know what I shall do. Sho
WOO lauguage towards me that is
altogether unchristian- like and un-
becoming. And worse ; when elle
Sets one of her spells upon her, she
assaults me with anything that
comes nearest to her hand. Only
this morning I received several
blows freta her broom that have
nearly lamed me. Parson;'—they
had reached the friendly shelter of
the barn by this time, and the
colonel straightened up a little,
while his eyes actually glittered,—
"I am tired of this dog's life, and I
want your assistance. I think if
Mrs. Todhunter is formally report-
ed to the church, and humili-
ated, it will, bring about a change."
Parson Riley's face showed his sur-
prise, and the colonel added at once,
I have had this in mind a long
time, and once I brought the mat-
ter before Parson Thompson, who
preceded you, --a worthey uian,
but timid. He would not move in
the matter. Now, will you?" Par -
eon Riley was young and comba-
tive.
"I will," he said promptly.
"What?" The deaf man placed
his hand to his ear.
"I will," shouted the parson.
"Sister Todhunter shall bo discip-
lined." The colonel looked pleased.
"I was a church -member thyself
once," he said Auftly, "but this
eternal quarrel drove me out. I
could not break bread feeling as I
do towat•d•Mrs. Todhunter." His
chin trembled. Ho tilled his cheeks.
with wind and blew it out under
the pressure of his emotion. "You
cannot imagine to what extent this
persecution has guue. Why, sir,
thorn has been times when I con-
sidered my life in clanger. I em
notadissipated man," he contiuued,
resting his blue -veined hand on
the parson's shoulder and turning
the blue eyes earnestly upon him,
"but of course I take a julep now
and thon,—you understand; habits
of an old-tilne Georgia gentleman,
—and sometimes I have taken too
much. I admit that Mrs. Todhunt-
er has had some provocation in
that direction, but not enough, par-
son, to justify her in,regarding me
as A dog-" .His breast heaved con-
vulsively.
"A woman," said 1111youung nitf i
firmly, touched by the pathos and
emotion of his dignified companion,
"has no right to strike her husband
except in the defense of her life."
"Hcy V' And Colonel Todhunter
cupped his left oar deftly with the
transparent h..nd. •
"I say a woman has no 'right to
strike her husband—"
"Why, bless your soul, Parson,
that's a small matter, a' very small
matter indeed !"A sad smile flit-
ting across the lips of the speaker.
A very small matter." Ho fixed
his eyes upon his companion with a
sudden resolution. "Why, do you
know, Mrs.-Todhunter came near
smothering 1110, only last week ?"
"Smothering?"
"Hoy V' •
"Came. near, smothering, you?"
"Yes, sir. To tell tre truth, Par-
son,I was a little mixed, --had
taken a little too much, you under-
stand. Had been camping out a
week dow.a at ],loomloy's mill with
Colonel Ledbetter and others,"fish-
ing, and drank a little too much.
TJnfortunat'ly I came home a little
under the influence of stiinulant•m
and found Irrs. Todhunter on flra
about tlro--ootlbn being •in the. grass.
As I was preparing to lie down,
being also RI, Mrs. Todhunter, with
her superior atrought anis weight,
forced me between the mattresses
and sat down on me. 'And there
she sat, Parson, three huudred
hounds, and it a July day, and
knitted all the afternoon.
sweat that whisky out:er you,' she
says ; and sho did. The perspira-
tion that exuded from my pores
soaked through •the mattress and
dripped on time floor. I do tint
know how I lived through it." Ho
drew out his handkerchief and
wiped his forehead, to which the
memory of his sufferings had ac-
tually brought the moisture. "When
will you novo in the matter?" he
asked more cheerfully.
"At once."
"IIoy ?"
"At onto. I'll havi; lien up next
Sunday---"
parson Riley paused. The vast
presence of Sister ibdhnute' had
passed around the corner of the
barn. There was the painful sil-
ence of about two seconds, and
then her voice arose,
"So," silo, said loimdly, R'It11 her
eye on the colonel, who started as
though shot, "so 1 ;Chi., is your
game, is it? talliu' lies on your
wifo to every stranger that conies
along. 1'11 teach you hatter man-
ners, if i have to break every bono
in ye' soft, cowas•;tly ..body." Sho
made a rush at her offending lord,
which he easily and promptly avoid -
by stepping briskly away, leaving
his late companion to hold the
field as best ho might,
"Madam," said Parson Riley,
•
i t i b a a
a @ � slat .Q
r t! lt.. .Il d "'Slit � t
beugdicttou ..-vitt. vas b%a *WIN.
presai,ve attitat ea- "I '-Beeson you
to romember tl}at-thiseutlemaxt, is
your husband � and that you are a
member of my cburoh- ---"..
4tWhat have you got to do with
hit, you little chick'n-eatin' thing
you ?" She had turned upon hint
with war in ber eye and war in her
whole make-up generally. "A
pretty bort er parson you air, ain't
yer, 'taught' roun' decent women's
houses list'nin' ter lies and slanders.
Oh, I know what he wants; he
wants ter git me up 'fore Moult'
Zion church. Ho tried hit on ole
Thompson, hut he daresn't move er
peg. I tole him, an' I toll you, of
they have me up 'fore Moun' Zion,
hit'll be er bad day day fur Moun'
Zion." She shook her elinced fist
at him'
Parson Rsley was half Irish, a
little Welsh, and the rest Ameri-
can. Besides, he was young and
inexperienced.
"Your case will be up next Sun-
day morning. You eau comp or
not as; you please." He said thin
with a somewhat unclerical but
very natural emphasis, and, turning
on his heels, left the spot. • The
last words he heard were, "I ain't
'feared o' you nor all the Moun'
Zions iu tho world."
As Parson Riley mounted his
mare, Colonel Todhuuter crawled
through the hedge a few yards
off, looked cautiously around, secur-
ed his pipe from the porch, and
went back silently the way ho came.
A smile forced itself upon the lips
of the young preacher, and a little
down the road he laughed outright.
III.
Sunday morning brought an en-
ormous crowd to Mount Zion
„Church as the village edifice was
called. This was natural, as on that
day Presiding Elder was to deliver
a sermon, and a visit from the Pre-
iding Elder of the district always
drow a crowd. But the fact noised
about throughout the land, that
Sister Todhunter was summoned
and was to be tried, also, operated
powerfully as an assembling factor,
and many people who had long
neglected their church duties put
in an appearance. Farmers for
miles around camp bringing their
wives and daughters in their wag-
gons. Young men in buggies with
their sweethearts were numerous,
and the grove about the church was
full of vehicles and 'tied -out stock'
when service time arrived.
About ten o'clock a sudden move-
ment at the doorway indicated that
preaching was about to .begin, and
the congregation filed slowly with-
in, the men to the left, the woman
to tho right. Parson Riley, sitting
in the pulpit with the portly form
of Elder Hamlin beside him, watch-
ed with an abidiug interest the
faces of the comers. When the
last was in and settled, he heaved a
deep sign of relief,—Sister'Todhun-
ter was not present ; she was going
to remaiu at home and let the trial
go by default.
He dill nut know Sister Tod -
hunter !
Elder Hamlin at last arose, his
red countenance glowing like a bea-
con above tho sea of faces, and in
a .voice like a trumpet's opened .the
meeting with prayer. lie asked
Divine blessin onpon Msiesht Zion,
at; Sweetwater; athe remainder of
the world, invoking a helping haifd
for "the b -r -a -v -n young soldier of
the cross" who had "conte among
those people to battle for the right,"
and . upon "the young woman, just
buddin' into matoority," who•had
"come to share his trials and minis-
ter with hint." IIis prayer conclud-
ed with alt •appeal in behalf of the
erring sister whose wrong -doings
they were about to consider.
' "May she be 'led to soo the error,
of her way," he said, "an' turn her
feet into the strait an' narrow path."
Aud he thanked the Lord for the
assurance given in those lines which
declare that. '
"while the 1.u11mp hold out to 1)11111,
The viler' sinner may return."
Elder Hamlin ceased,' and amid
the shuttling of feet that followed
the deep."Aman" which rolled from
the prompt "Amen corner" back
into the dilatory recess beyond the
last post, the congregation resumed
their seats. Then Parson Riley
stepped forward, and in the clear
debating -society tones his wife loved
Iso well, road the opetting hymn :
"From Greenland's iey mountains,
From India's coral strand."
Elder Buckner, stood up in ad-
vance of the eungrogrtion and rais-
ed tilt! tune in a strong baritone that
at once' sprang out boldly and cltal•
longed the whole assembly. IIo
was instantly pursued and over-
taken by liras. Culpepper's soprano,
and Mrs. Buckner's sweet contralto
soon found an entering place. Af-
tr;r hor came the deep bumble -bee
bass of Colonel Lcdbctter, who
adjusted itis gold-riuuned glasses as
he came in. This was the custo-
mary opening. No ono in Sweet-
water would havo dreamed of invad-
ing the melody with any sort of a
voice until Elder Buckner, Mrs.
Culpepper, Mrs. Buckner and Col-
onel Ledbetter had obtained a fair
start. Any one 8o imprudent
would have drawn the attention of
the whole congregation upon him-
self. But the quartette well under
•eveftybgd ry at liberty to
'ruts au ; Rttd Qa 'tht� .Qccaasion, •
eQau4 bor4 asci by the uliited voices
Qf the enols t;.ptigregetion, the grand
Old tne104y Palled Qat and swept
far away down the pine aisles into
the peaceful Sabbath heart of the
woodlands.
The last tone died away—as
-usual it was the deep hum of Col-
onel Ledbetter's bass, which refused
to be quieted fora while. 'Then the
congregation sank leo. their Beats,
and Elder Hamlin stood up and
delivered a powerful sermon upon
the wife, and her true position.
Then cane the long -looked -for
moment,
Parson Riley had descended from
the pulpit to state the business of
the hour, which every ono awaited
with feverish impatience, when a
form filled the door way and Sister
Todhuuter, in holiday attire of red
sil'Ic, black lace, and a great flower
ladened flare:front bonnet, e'ood
before him. As if by instinct
everybody knew she was there, and
every head save oue was turned
towards her. She paused long
eneugh to survey the crowd con-
totiiptuously, then with a great wad-
dle. she marched up the aisle,
took a chair out from under little
Major Brown almost before he
could vacate it, placed it back
against the pulpit, and sat down.
"&ow," she said, looking at
Parson Riley while she adjusted the
folds of her dress, "go on with yer
lies ; I'm ready." Parson Riley
turned pale and then red. Some
of the thoughtless young people
snickered, and their'- was a general
stir of expectation. Colonel Led-
better, without unbending a par-
ticle`of his enormous and ever -bloom-
ing dignity, looked at Major Brown
and winked with both oyes. Brown
put his hand over his muuth and
coughed v' Iontly. But the Parson
soon rallied, and turning to the con-
gregation said firmly :
r� d494 -,Pp,'
•
t
l_
Q"ted 04rengtlf
ttllls !3�
syd ¢ietrt at%' ant Ofre m thie, alae
the Colonel, breathless, Minae,,
"Are you bltrt anuehi O,alonel g.sl
shouted good Mrs. Buckner, who
had crowded to the front. With
oue band ou his head and the other
struggling for his handk.erobiof:
which was in the wrong coat-tail:
pocket, and with tears rolling dowtn
his cheeks, he replied softly :
"I had only a little hair left, gray
hairs, madam ; I fear she has pull-
ed that out too."
The hubbub was indescribable,
and everyone was crowding to the
front. Parson Riley waved them
back.
"Sit down," he shouted. "We
can't do anything so long as you
stand up !" All dropped back into
their seats except about a dozen of
the most trustworthy and dignified
churchmen around the refractory
sister, who with a strong grip on
the edge of her chair was holding
her position, while she talked to the
1)16n nearest her.
"You thick yerself mighty smart,
don't yer 1" she said, catching Par-
son Riley's eye, -"An' yer wife—
my ! ain't she stuck udm, with her
lace curtains an' tea-parties ? Too
proud to invite me, hut not too
proud to invite old Jane Grampy,
whose boy stole a mule. There was
a shriek in the audience, and Mr.
Grampy, standing near, hurried to -
his wife.
"Au' there's Tom Culpepper..
He's er pretty nice one to bo settin'
hissef up fur er church -cleaner. I
saw hint pass my house so drunk
las' week ho didn't know if he was
goin' home Or corrin' hack." Again
time thoughtless giggle. Tom Cul-
poppes's habits were certainly un-
fortunate.
"Brothers and sisters, for such
you are in tho ha.y union of the
chm.c.h, and I trust soon to say in
the affection born of joint and self-
sacrificing labors, I have a painful
duty to perforin this morning, one
that I fain would avoid, but—"
"Oh, shucks, say what you aro
going for say and don't palaver so
much." Phis of course, cane from
Sister Todhunter. He paused a
second for the now sensation to sub-
side, and without looking at her ile
continued :
"It is a duty, and of. such there
can be no avoidance without guilt."
"Very pretty, b'en all the week
er learnin" bit?"
-'I am called upon to present to
you this morning au orringsistsr," 11e
continued, linking his' hands to-'
gether and bowing them before him
patina downward while he rocked
back upon his heels and brought
his toes to the ground again, "who
not satisfied with violating at home
tho proprietories of the domestic cir-
cle and the commands and precepts
Of the Scriptures, has gone into the•
house of the Lord defiant and• rebel-
lious, with sneers upon her lips
and contempt for his Minister and
his people in her heart. Tho evi-
dence of this latter is before you ;
of the former, her husband, a gen-
tleman whole you all know, will
speak."
Colonel' Todhunter was sitting on
the front seat at the elbow of Parson
Riley, his chin upon his shirt -front,
and deep dejection written in every
line of his face. There was also a
pallor there. IIo was probably .the
the only persou'in the church .who
had not seen or heard 'his wife
'enter. Tho parson was. forced to
rouse hien with a touch.
- • "Get up, Colonel," he said, "and
state your case."
"Hey?" The Parson motioned
to a spot iu front and then
to the sea of expectant faces turned'
towards hiih. He understood, and
sidled along with his white face to
the crowd, his blue eyes searching
every bench, until he 'reached the
Olaoe indicated, then he folded. his
poor white hands together and drew
a long breath of relief : Sister
Todhunter was not in sight. He
opened his mouth to spank, when
an event occurred that threw the
crowd present into the most intense
oxeitonlcnt. In moving to the front
Colonel Todhunter came within
lour of five feet of his wife, to whom
his back Was half turned. 1Io had
just satisfied himself that he was
secure, and had said "I," when
-Sister Todhunter leaned forward,
extended her crooked -handled
umbrella its full length, deftly
hooked it in the collar of her hus•
band's coat, and with one ,jerk land-
ed him backward and head first into
her lap. So sudden was the act, so
utterly unexpected, that everybody
for an instant paused tinct gazed in
Open mouthed astonishment. Then
those in the rear tumbled over each
other for better positions, and big
Elder Hamlin rushed to the col-
onel's assistance. The angry women
met the rescuer with such energy
that his alarmed neighbors wore
compelled to lead him outside and
pour water on his head.
In the meantime Major Brown,
Colonel Ledbetter. Elder Buckner,
Afr. Culpepper, and others were
struggling to release Colonel Tod -
hunter, whose convulsive play of
legs and awful expression of face
An' there's Brother Spikes. He's
er good ban' ter weed out er church,
ain't he ? An' his cotton in the
grass so bad that yer can't see bit.
from the road." Again a subdued •
applause from the great audience.:
"'Phis is simply outrageous," said
Brother Spikes to Mr. John Edgerly
hotly ; that woman ought to bot
ducked."
"Ought she, indeed 1" said Sister.
Todhunter, catching the remark.
"Then you better get John Edgerly-
ter
dgerlyter help you. His gra'ma wase
ducked for tatlin,' en I reckon he'll
know how ter go about hit." This
terrible dig drew all eyes upon •
Edgerly, and he turned as rod as a
turkey -comb.
"Madan," said Colonel Ledbetter,
advancing to a prominent position
in all the dignity and confidence of
his high standing in Sweetwater,
"I trust you will let your old friend
advise you."
"When did you comae ter be my
friend 1" she replied with terrible
sarcasm. "Was hit when yer
charged mo twelve per cent. for the
loan of er hundred dollars, or was
bit when yer made mo pay for er
hundred bushels of earn when my
mule et five ?" Taking his hat and
cane, the colonel walked outside and
sat down on a stump.
"Gentleman," said Parson Riley
suddenly, seeing his force rapidly
falling away, "the only thing to do
is to carry her ont and send her
home. If you will all take hold we
can carry her out quickly." • 'The
mien were ready for any escape from
the merciless lashing the woman
was giving theta. With a rush
they seized her, chair and all, she
fighting desperately, and bore her
outside. After a brief rest they
proceeded to deposit her in a con-
veyance to take her home. But no
sooner had they lifted her into the
wagon than she kicked tke dash
board off and seized Parson Riley
by the oar. It took the efforts of
the crowd again to release .him.
Elder •Hamlin, who had recovered
his wiud and rallied, hero climbed
into the wagon with others to help
hold her while the rest hitched up
her' mules. Then., led by Billy, her
ten -year-old son, who had watched
the proceedings in sullen silence,
the strange load moved off, a dele-
gation accompanying it to keep
things straight. As they crossed
time creek Sister Todhuuter by a
sudcioii movement managed to
throw Elder Iianilin overboard.
Ho stood up in the water and swore.
a great round oath that horrified
everybody. But Sister Todhuuter
laughed hysterically.
"Put 11in1 out, put him out or
Moun' Zion too 1 Dou't yer hoar
him er cussin' back thorn 1" Elder
Hamlin had retired to the bank,
and was denouncing the whole race
of obstreperous woman, but not
swearing. His ono oath was con-
fessed in open mating afterwards,
and willingly forgiyon.
This, however, was sister Tod -
hunter's last effort. She was seized
with a collapse on reaching home,
and begged to be laid on the grass.
Thee sitting, sho tdeclared that
death was near, and begged then] to
leave her. Her husband came up
and ministered to her, and she was
heard to ask Billy to lead her to the
well, as she wanted to jump in and
end hor misery ; and Billy told her
he wished she would. Then the
committee returned, It transpired
afterwards -that Sister Todhunter
rallied enough to go into the house,
and, in a sudden return of has pas-
sion, slammed the door on the 110ek